CSD Q&A Corner

Institution management can arrange video visits for PICs’ relatives and friends who have difficulties in coming to institutions for visit due to age, pregnancy, disabilities or other special reasons. PICs may apply for video visits, and the management of the respective institution will carefully consider each application. Eligible PICs can receive video visit with no more than three visitors at one time. Each visit will last not more than 20 minutes. Upon approval, the visitors can conduct the video visit at multi-purpose family and rehabilitation service centre at various districts or Urine Specimen Collection Centre of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre.

(Please refer to the CSD website for the address of multi-purpose family and rehabilitation service centre at various districts)

The law stipulates that convicted PICs may receive 2 social visits from their relatives and friends each month, with each visit limited to 30 minutes and not more than 3 persons, including infants and children. For remand PICs, they may receive 1 social visit from their relatives and friends each day, with each visit limited to 15 minutes and not more than 2 persons, including infants and children.

To facilitate the rehabilitation of young PICs and enhance their relationship with family members, CSD allows them to receive 2 extra visits without prior application. If adult PICs want to receive extra visits, they may make application to the institution management. Institution management will generally approve the applications of adult PICs for 2 extra visits with their immediate family members.

On admission, all PICs are required to declare the name and relationship of their visitors. During their custody, they may add new visitors to or delete existing visitors from the list subject to approval by the institution management.

CSD provides all PICs with plain and wholesome food. All the dietary scales are designed by accredited dietitians with nutritional contents approved by the Department of Health and with reference to relevant standards of Department of Health and World Health Organisation . Having regard to the health, dietary and religious needs of PICs, CSD currently provides 4 main dietary scales, namely local staple rice diet (Dietary Scale 1), diet of curries and chapatti (Dietary Scale 2), diet of bread and potatoes (Dietary Scale 3) and vegetarian diet (Dietary Scale 4). Moreover, PICs may be provided with other supplementary diets derived from the four major dietary scales to meet their specific needs. For remand PICs, they may also procure or receive food. For private food arrangement, enquiries can be made to the institution Rehabilitation Unit staff. They may also receive snack type food from their visitors upon visit. Please refer to the lists of Approved Hand-in Articles on the CSD website for details.

Relatives and friends can bring approved articles for PICs upon visit, such as paper tissues, lip balms, periodicals, exercise books and ball pens. Please refer to the lists of Approved Hand-in Articles on the CSD website for details. If visitors wish to hand in any approved articles, they have to hand those articles to the staff in the registration office for checking and registration. As a security measure, all similar hand-in items will be pooled together and mixed before random distribution to the PICs concerned.

CSD has an established mechanism to review all of the approved hand-in articles on regular basis and will make appropriate adjustment in light of their availability. For the latest information about the approved hand-in articles, please refer to the CSD website.

PICs are provided with surgical masks and alcohol-based handrub. Relatives and friends can also bring surgical masks, hand wash and disinfectant wet tissues to PICs during visits. Please refer to the CSD’s webpage for the requirements concerning the approved hand-in articles for PICs and their maximum quantities allowed.

If PICs feel unwell, they can notify the staff on duty. Medical consultation will then be arranged at the hospital inside the institution. Every correctional institution has a hospital or sick bay where 24-hour basic medical services are provided by Medical Officers from the Department of Health and correctional officers with nursing qualifications. If PICs need further examination and treatment as advised by the Medical Officers, the institution management will transfer them to public hospitals for follow-up.

Upon entering correctional institutions, PICs will undergo a body check by medical officers (MO). After the assessment, if the MOs opine that prostheses or other medical aids are required, they can continue to wear them. Generally speaking, upon admission to institutions, PICs have to hand over their personal belongings to the institutions for safe custody except medical aids. Approvals for certain articles like compliant spectacles will be granted by correctional institutions on a case-by-case basis.

Every correctional institution has a hospital or sick bay where 24-hour basic medical services are provided by Medical Officers from the Department of Health and correctional officers with nursing qualifications. Medical specialists from the Hospital Authority and DH visit the relevant CSD’s institutions on a regular basis to provide consultation and treatment to PICs, including dental treatments. In general, if PICs have dental problems, the resident Medical Officers will refer them for treatments by Dental Officers, such as dental filling or wearing dentures. In case of serious situation, PICs will be referred to public hospitals for further treatment.

To take care mobility disabled PICs, CSD has put in place various measures to cater for their needs. Apart from pedestal toilets, institution management will also provide suitable ancillary tools like crutches and wheelchairs to PICs when necessary.

CSD strives to provide a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment for PICs, and ensures that appropriate medical services are provided to all PICs in accordance with the Prison Rules (Cap. 234A). Every correctional institution has medical facilities where 24-hour basic medical services are provided by Medical Officers seconded from the Department of Health and correctional officers with nursing qualifications. If necessary, PICs will be referred to public hospitals for further treatment. Moreover, medical specialists from the Hospital Authority (HA) and DH visit correctional institutions on a regular basis to provide consultation and treatment to PICs. Currently, Chinese medicine services are not part of the regular services of HA and DH. Medical Officers of correctional institutions will not refer PICs to receive private medical services, including Chinese medicine services. CSD will keep abreast of the Chinese medicine services development and review the arrangement as appropriate.

Basic medical care services are provided to PICs in correctional institution. Medical Officers seconded from the Department of Health and correctional officers with nursing qualifications will provide appropriate treatments or referrals to all PICs. If PICs require wheelchairs or walking sticks to assist them in their daily lives, the institution management will provide them with suitable ancillary tools in accordance with the recommendations of Medical Officers.

All institutions have been installed with water heaters. Hot water of appropriate temperature will be provided to PICs for shower according to seasonal changes and air temperature. Each PIC is arranged to take shower daily and the shower time depends on the daily schedule of the institution. If PICs need to increase the number of shower for individual reasons, they can apply to the institution management for approval. The institution management will consider each application on an individual case basis. To ensure the safety of PICs and to maintain the discipline of institutions, correctional officers are present when they are taking shower.

To ensure all the clothing of PICs are handled timely and properly, laundry workshops of institutions will wash the clothing of PICs according to the washing schedule fixed by institutions. In accordance with the guideline of the Centre for Health Protection, clothing of patients’ at centre hospital and kitchen PIC must be handled separately from other PICs’ clothing, other PICs’ clothing are washed together and tumble dried on high heat. For hygiene purpose, PICs working in the laundry workshop of each institution are supervised by an instructor. Besides, all the apparatuses and areas for handling dirty clothing must be cleaned with 1 in 99 diluted bleach.

CSD has been paying close attention to PICs’ health and needs. For PICs diagnosed with impairment of intelligence, autism or hyperactivity disorder, resident Medical Officers and Clinical Psychologists will assess their situation and provide appropriate care for them to facilitate their adaptation to custodial lives. Correctional institutions will assign dedicated staff to take care of PICs with special needs. Relevant staff members will regularly interview these PICs to understand the problems or difficulties they encounter in order to offer suitable assistance. In addition, all PICs newly admitted into correctional institutions will be arranged to undergo an induction programme and given a booklet called “Information for Person in Custody” to facilitate their adaptation to custodial lives and enhance their understanding of the system and discipline in correctional institutions. However, If they commit any indiscipline, CSD will lay a disciplinary charge against them impartially after institution Medical Officers certified them medically fit to attend the disciplinary hearings.

Generally speaking, when female PICs are pregnant with 30 weeks’ gestation, they will be arranged to accommodate in centre hospital to ensure that they can receive immediate medical treatment from resident Medical Officers and correctional officers with nursing qualifications if the needs arise. Besides, institution management will arrange pregnant PICs to undergo antenatal checkups in public hospitals on a regular basis. If they have special needs, they can make a request with duty staff who will refer their cases to the centre hospital and make appropriate arrangements according to the recommendations of Medical Officers. For example, if the Medical Officer opines that the pregnant woman needs to take additional nutrients, institution management will provide additional food into her daily diet. According to the law, child of a female PIC may be received into correctional institution with its mother until the female PIC has completed her sentence or such child has attained the age of 3 years, whichever is the earlier. PICs’ children who stay in correctional institution will be provided with milk powder which is of unspecified brands and purchased according to the established procedures of the government. The PIC may also breastfeed their infants. As for diapers, apart from the approved diapers brought to mothers in custody by relatives and friends, they can also accept those sent in by non-governmental organisations.

The vaccination programme for PICs commenced in July 2021. Medical Officers seconded from the Department of Health (DH) and correctional officers with nursing qualifications will arrange for PICs to receive COVID-19 vaccination if they wish to do so. If PICs want to receive vaccination, they can apply with the institution management. They can choose among the types of vaccines provided by DH.

CSD must comply with data protection principles under Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap 486). For such purpose, CSD can only answer the phone enquiry on the whereabouts of a PIC provided that the enquiring person is the declared visitor and prior consent is obtained from the PIC concerned. For enquiries, please visit our website or contact our hotline at 2511 3511. PICs who want to inform relatives and friends of their admission/transfer/discharge can seek assistance from our staff of Rehabilitation Division.

Currently, smoking at correctional facilities for young PICs are prohibited. For adult PICs, with a view to promoting a no smoking culture, CSD actively supports the Government’s anti-smoking policy and promotes a no smoking culture among persons in custody through various anti-smoking measures including education, propaganda, counseling and smoking cessation courses. Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution has been assigned as a “No Smoking Correctional Facility” to accommodate adult persons in custody who do not smoke. Besides, CSD has set up “no-smoking zones” in other institutions including Stanley Prison, Lo Wu Correctional Institution and Tung Tau Correctional Institution.

Having regard to different needs of elderly PICs, CSD strategically plans and allocates resources in advance to formulate appropriate rehabilitation programmes for PICs aged 65 or above to assist them in developing positive and healthy lifestyle. CSD implements diversified rehabilitation programmes, covering healthcare services, recreational activities, rehabilitative and institutional facilities tailor-made for elderly PICs. Since 2015, male PICs aged 65 or above conforming the security requirements might be transferred to the “Evergreen Garden” in Tai Lam Correctional Institution. Inside the Evergreen Garden, there are integrated facilities and arrangements specially designed for elderly PICs, including rehabilitation counselling, exercise facilities and vocational training courses such as Foundation Certificate in Horticulture Assistant Training and Cleaning Skill Training to facilitate their reintegration into society after release. Every correctional institution has a hospital or sick bay where 24-hour basic medical services are provided by Medical Officers from Department of Health and correctional officers with nursing qualifications. If PICs need further examination and treatment as advised by the Medical Officers, the institution management will transfer them to public hospitals for follow-up. Apart from basic medical services, CSD will also regularly arrange body check-up and appropriate recreational activities for elderly PICs. Moreover, CSD regularly works with the DH and local universities to organise talks and workshops for staff to enhance their professional knowledge on nursing for the elderly.

For operational needs of institutions, PICs might be arranged to assemble at suitable location for security procedures, such as searching. As security procedures may take time, correctional officers will flexibly handle the waiting arrangement for PICs. There is no requirement for PICs to squat during security check or assembly.

Working dogs of CSD are allotted to designated dog handlers in the Dog Unit, and will work and take leave with respective dog handlers. During festive seasons such as Christmas or Lunar New Year, the Dog Unit will provide extra food, such as canned dog food, to working dogs for celebration. Apart from performing outdoor duties or training, working dogs will go out with dog handlers for a walk every day. If any working dogs fall ill, the Dog Unit will arrange them to receive treatment by Veterinary Officer of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Besides, all working dogs have to receive body examination and vaccination on a yearly basis to ensure their body and health condition are fit for work.

To enable the working dogs in the Dog Unit (either reaching the retirement age or having been certified as unfit for work on medical grounds by Veterinary Officer) to spend their remaining days in comfort, the Dog Adoption Programme of CSD provides a channel for members of the public to adopt working dogs. Interested parties can submit their application forms to the Dog Unit of CSD. Arrangements will be made with the applicants to conduct interviews and home visits by the Selection Board of the Programme so as to decide whether the applicants are suitable for adopting working dogs. The application form and notes can be downloaded at our webpage. The retired dogs not being adopted will be kept at Dog Unit where designated dog handlers will be responsible for taking care of them.

Upon admission into correctional institutions, PICs’ personal belongings shall be kept in the custody of respective institutions, including their clothing and valuables. However, items which pose safety and security risks to the institutions will not be kept in the custody of institutions, such as dangerous goods, corrosive goods, perishable goods, tobacco or oversized valuables. If the above items are involved, institution management will require PICs to pass these items to relatives or friends upon visits. All PICs’ personal properties kept in the custody of institutions will be returned to them upon discharge, regardless of duration of imprisonment.

Correctional institutions are places where discipline is highly emphasized; any indiscipline acts by PICs will not be tolerated. Institution staff will manage PICs in accordance with relevant laws. Upon discovery of any indiscipline acts (e.g. fighting or assaulting), staff will place relevant PIC on disciplinary report. Institution management will refer cases of serious nature to other law enforcement agencies for follow-up.

Young PICs are held in custody in various institutions for young PICs under CSD according to the judgement of the court. Institutions for young male PICs include Pik Uk Correctional Institution, Sha Tsui Correctional Institution, etc., while institutions for young female PICs include Lai King Correctional Institution, Chi Lan Rehabilitation Centre, etc. According to the law, CSD has established various correctional programmes in institutions for young PICs, such as Drug Addiction Treatment Centres, Training Centres, Rehabilitation Centres and Detention Centre, to provide appropriate rehabilitation programmes. Given the correctional programmes vary among institutions for young PICs, daily institution routines for respective PICs will differ. Please visit our website for more details of institutions for young PICs under CSD.

In general, the toilets for PICs will not be locked due to security reasons. Both flush toilets and squat toilets are provided for PICs’ use based on their needs.

CSD separates male and female PICs in accordance with Section 8 of the Prisons Ordinance (Cap. 234). In general, CSD arranges PICs of the same gender to be imprisoned together according to their gender on identity documents. As for transgender PICs, CSD arranges medical officers, clinical psychologists or psychiatrists to confirm their physical conditions and sexual orientation and arrange suitable custodial environment for transgender PICs based on their professional advice.

In general, “LDD” refers to the date computed by deducting a PIC’s relevant remand period from the term of imprisonment of PICs sentenced by the court. In most cases, PICs do not have to serve the full sentence of imprisonment before release. According to the law, PICs can be granted remission of sentence on the ground of their industry and good conduct. The remission granted is usually one-third of the term of imprisonment sentenced by the court. “EDD” generally refers to the date computed by the actual duration of custody, in which the term of imprisonment of a PIC sentenced by the court is deducted by the remission of sentence granted and the relevant remand period.

Regular inspections and repairs are necessary for all structures to ensure user safety. In general, maintenance works of complex nature, such as replacement or repairing of pipes and works related to the security system of institutions, will be referred to Architectural Services Department or Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. Some minor maintenance works, such as refurbishment of external walls of dormitories and clearance of blocked sewers, will be carried out by PICs under the supervision of staff. Both outsourced works and works undertaken by PICs will be supervised by staff on the spot to ensure the security and smooth operation of institutions.

According to the laws, all PICs serving sentences of imprisonment for an actual term of more than 1 month may be granted remission on the ground of their industry and good conduct, but the concerned remission shall not exceed one-third of the total of the actual term and the relevant remand period, and the actual term shall not be reduced to less than 31 days. If a PIC breaches any institution discipline, the superintendent of the institution may make punishments in accordance with the law, including forfeiting the remission of sentences of PICs, which in turn increase the PICs’ number of days being imprisoned. Hence, the above situation is generally regarded as “increase of imprisonment term” among PICs.

According to Rule 39 of the Prison Rules (Cap. 234A), PICs who work in certain correctional institutions may receive payment in accordance with the rates approved by the Commissioner of Correctional Services. The main purpose of earnings for PICs is to provide incentive to help them develop good working habits and acquire work skills via useful work in order to facilitate their reintegration into society upon release. PICs may use at most 90% of their earnings to buy approved canteen items or for other approved purposes, while the remaining at least 10% earnings shall be kept as savings until the mandatory savings accumulated up to $500. PICs may withdraw the saved earnings upon discharge. Besides, staff of Rehabilitation Unit will make relevant referrals if PICs need to seek assistance from the Social Welfare Department or non-government organisations.

PICs including sex offenders will not be imposed separate confinement due to the offences they have committed. According to relevant law, CSD imposes separate confinement on individual PICs or removal from association with other PICs based on different reasons and managerial needs. Those reasons include the imposing of separate confinement as punishment due to indiscipline acts, or being ordered to be removed from association for the maintenance of good order or discipline or in the interest of such PIC.

Except half-way houses and custodial wards, correctional institutions under CSD are classified by different security levels, namely maximum, medium and minimum levels. Different categories of PICs are detained in institutions of different security levels. For example, Category A PICs can only be detained in maximum security prisons. Institutions of different security levels certainly have different security facilities. Fences are installed in institutions of all security levels. Apart from fences, perimeter walls and observation towers are installed in maximum security prisons.

At present, there are a total of 29 correctional facilities including prisons, correctional institutions, rehabilitation centres, addiction treatment centres, custodial wards, half-way houses, etc. They are distributed in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories, Lantau Island and Hei Ling Chau. If classified by gender of PICs, institutions for detention of female PICs are Bauhinia House, Chi Lan Rehabilitation Centre, Lai King Correctional Institution, Lo Wu Correctional Institution, Nei Kwu Correctional Institution, Tai Lam Centre for Women and Wai Lan Rehabilitation Centre while institutions for male PICs are Cape Collinson Correctional Institution, Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre, Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, Lai Chi Rehabilitation Centre, Lai Hang Rehabilitation Centre, Lai Sun Correctional Institution, Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution, Pelican House, Phoenix House, Pik Uk Correctional Institution, Queen Mary Hospital Custodial Ward, Sha Tsui Correctional Institution, Shek Pik Prison, Stanley Prison, Tai Lam Correctional Institution, Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution, Tong Fuk Correctional Institution and Tung Tau Correctional Institution. Queen Elizabeth Hospital Custodial Ward and Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre are correctional facilities where male and female PICs are detained in separate localities.

According to the law, Hong Kong residents serving sentences overseas can apply for transfer back to Hong Kong to serve the remaining sentences. In general, each application has to satisfy the following main conditions: (i) the act, on which the sentence has been imposed, would also constitute a criminal offence according to the laws of Hong Kong if it had been committed in Hong Kong; (ii) the sentenced person is a permanent resident of Hong Kong, or otherwise has close ties with Hong Kong in the opinion of the Chief Executive; (iii) the judgment is final and no further proceedings relating to the offence or any other offences are pending in the jurisdiction; (iv) there is a tripartite consent to the transfer given by the concerned governments and the sentenced person.

All newly admitted PICs will be arranged to undergo an induction programme during which staff from different sections of the institution will brief them on information about daily lives, including PICs’ treatments, routine procedures, facilities, discipline, ways of seeking assistance and channels of complaints. In addition, the institution management will give them a booklet called “Information for Person in Custody”. This booklet not only introduces the procedures to be completed by newly admitted PICs, but also explains the matters to note in custodial life. The information booklet has been translated into 28 versions in 27 languages to cater for the needs of PICs of different nationalities. If PICs have any queries or problems about their daily lives in correctional institutions, they may enquire our on-duty staff. Our staff will explain to them or refer them to other sections for further assistance.

With a view to strengthening the communication between staff and foreign PICs, CSD has introduced tablet computers capable of translating multiple languages (currently 62 languages) since 2015; and introduced two-way instant voice translator for eight languages in 2020. In addition, CSD provides correctional officers with foreign language courses of six languages, including Nepalese, Urdu, Punjabi, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Spanish, to facilitate their communication with foreign PICs. If foreign PICs encounter communication problems, CSD may arrange staff or other PICs speaking the relevant foreign languages or of the same nationalities to offer assistance, or seek the help of Language Centres and Interpretation Hotline operated by NGOs. If there is still any problem, CSD may contact government official translators or relevant consulates to assist with the communication. Also, CSD provides Cantonese language classes and self-learning kits for foreign PICs to enhance their ability to speak and understand Cantonese.

Most areas in correctional institutions are not air-conditioned, but some of the workshops such as printing workshops are installed with air conditioners since a lower temperature is required for the operation of certain machines. All along, CSD has been taking various measures to improve the custodial environment, including air ventilation in institutions. In addition to regular replacement of fans and ventilation systems in dormitories and day activities areas, CSD has also installed additional industrial fans with strong power in institutions. New-style gates and windows with better ventilation efficiency are also installed progressively to improve air circulation. Besides, CSD has installed cell safety fans with anti-suicide design inside a total of over 1600 cells in various institutions. CSD has also allowed PICs to purchase hand fans and ice cooling towels in recent years, and will review and determine the approved hand-in articles and canteen purchase items for PICs according to the established security mechanism and the operations of institutions in a timely manner. To further tackle very hot weather, CSD has commissioned the Architectural Services Department to apply heat insulating coatings on the top of the buildings of individual institutions for trials on the cooling efficiency, and such trials would be extended to other institutions. To protect PICs from heat stroke, CSD has formulated the rest arrangements for PICs working under very hot weather with reference to the Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work issued by the Labour Department. Besides, institutions provide PICs with adequate facilities for the supply of drinking water to replenish water. Staff will regularly check the heat stress index under days of hot weather to decide whether outdoor sports activities should be arranged for PICs. Institution management reviews from time to time the arrangement for PICs to do vigorous exercises during humid and hot seasons and ensures that staff under their charge will take appropriate measures to protect PICs from heat stroke. CSD will continue to pay close attention to the facilities and daily operations of the institutions as well as work closely with relevant departments to take appropriate measures to provide a humane and healthy custodial environment for PICs.

CSD will adopt all possible solutions to prevent PICs from committing self-harm or suicidal behaviours. For instance, correctional officers will arrange newly admitted PICs to undergo induction programme, during which they will be explained of the matters to note in custodial life. CSD will also arrange staff members to provide counselling to them helping them adapt to the life in the institutions as soon as possible. Besides, institutional officers will use the Self-harm Risk Index and observe signs of PICs to identify PICs’ self-harm risks. If PICs are assessed to have higher self-harm risk, they will be placed on the Medical Observation List. Staff will pay special attention to this type of PICs to make corresponding arrangements. CSD also starts to improve the facilities in institutions so as to reduce PICs’ possibilities of self-harm or suicide. For example, toilets, mirrors and washing basins are made with non-fragile materials. For facilities such as fire service sprinklers, they will be designed in a way such that PICs will find it difficult to use those as anchor points to hang themselves. Besides, CSD is replacing old-style locks by electric locks security system at PICs’ cells by phase to reduce the time spent on unlocking the cells and to facilitate timely rescue. During the training in Hong Kong Correctional Services Academy, new recruits will receive training on procedures of handling self-harm or suicide cases by PICs. As for in-service training, clinical psychologists will periodically equip the staff with the latest knowledge of suicide and self-harm prevention.

The Classification and Categorisation Board of CSD decides on the correctional institutions where PICs should serve their sentence. When PICs on remand are convicted by court, the Classification and Categorisation Board of an institution will interview the convicted PICs, classifies and categorises them according to the nature of offence, age, the term of sentence and security category, etc. of the PICs. The Board will determine the types of institution where individual PICs will serve their sentence according to the conditions of admission of respective institutions. In considering whether to transfer a PIC to another institution, CSD will make decision according to a series of factors such as the operation of the institution, security and the physical and mental condition of the PIC.

The facility in correctional institution for separate confinement of PICs should be named as Special Unit, instead of the so-called “Shui Fan Fong”. The name “Shui Fan Fong” might be originated from the meals provided to a PIC in the Special Unit several decades ago which only included three meals of water and plain rice. Indeed, meals provided to PICs at the Special Unit are of no difference from those provided to other PICs. According to relevant law, CSD imposes separate confinement on individual PICs or removal from association with other PICs based on different reasons and managerial needs. Those reasons include the imposing of separate confinement as punishment due to indiscipline acts, or being ordered to be removed from association for the maintenance of good order or discipline or in the interest of such PIC. PICs serving sentence in the Special Unit will not lose their privileges automatically unless the punishment of both separate confinement and loss of privileges is imposed to the PICs at the same time due to indiscipline acts.

All newly-admitted PICs will undergo a series of reception procedures when they are admitted into institutions. The procedures include searching, verification of court warrants and taking of fingerprints, etc. Moreover, they have to hand in their personal belongings which will be kept by the institution temporarily. Then, staff of different sections will interview them to understand their needs. Staff will then arrange them to go to the centre hospital for examination by the Medical Officer to assess their physical and mental health. Upon completion of the above procedures, staff will arrange the PICs to join the Induction Programme. Meanwhile, the staff of different sections will explain to them the points to note in respect of their life in correctional institutions, including daily life, exercising, work and discipline, etc. If PICs have any queries, they can raise questions immediately and the staff will answer their enquiries accordingly.

According to the law, CSD will withhold any publications that by their content or nature hinder the rehabilitation of any PICs or pose a threat to the security, order and discipline of correctional institutions.

According to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the bilateral agreements on consular protection concluded between the People’s Republic of China and different countries, consulate officers of a foreign country shall be entitled to visit their nationals who are in the custody of CSD. They however are not entitled to visit Chinese nationals detained by CSD.

According to the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, the People’s Republic of China does not recognise dual nationality for any Chinese national. Unless a Chinese national has an application for change of nationality/renunciation of Chinese nationality approved, he/she are still considered a Chinese national.

The arrangements on visits to PICs and related administrative measures are formulated by CSD in accordance with the above principles and relevant law.

All convicted PICs, irrespective of gender, shall maintain an appropriate hairstyle as directed. If a PIC does not wish to have his/her hair cut for personal reasons, he/she may make a request supported by justifications for an individual assessment. The institution management will make appropriate arrangements having regard to all relevant factors.

To cope with the rapid, ever-changing and complicated social circumstances as well as new challenges of correctional work, CSD has been proactively developing “Smart Prison” through the implementation of innovation and technology strategies to modernise, informatise, humanise the management mode and process innovation of correctional facilities.

Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution, the first generation of “Smart Prison”, has come into operation since May 2021 with positive results.

The “Smart Prison” comprises four major systems, namely the Security and Monitoring System, the Operation and Management System, the Persons in Custody Self-management System and the Staff Capacity Enhancement System.

In the long run, CSD aims to apply the “Smart Prison” concept to both the hardware and software of correctional institutions. By integrating operational and information technology systems, data from various areas can be collected, analysed and applied, with a view to further enhancing both the management and operational efficiency of correctional institutions, strengthening their readiness in emergency response, and facilitating the long-term strategic planning in a systematic manner.

In order to ensure a safe and secure custodial environment and for the maintenance of good order and discipline of correctional institutions, correctional officers will conduct searches on PICs under various circumstances.

In general, all PICs will be arranged to undergo X-ray body scanning upon admission in order to detect any contraband concealed inside their bodies. If they do not agree to undergo X-ray body scanning or are unsuitable to receive X-ray body scanning under special circumstances such as pregnancy or wheelchair user, rectal searches or isolation for observation will be arranged as appropriate. Rectal searches shall be conducted by Medical Officers or designated officers authorised by Medical Officers.

Furthermore, correctional officers will conduct routine or special searches on PICs from time to time as the situation warrants to ensure that no contraband is in their possession. All searches shall be conducted with due regard to decency and self-respect of PICs for the protection of their rights and privacy.

If a PIC is found to have committed an offence against prison discipline, the institutional management will investigate the incident in accordance with the law. If a prima facie case is established, disciplinary action will be taken against the PIC concerned. If the accused PIC is found guilty by the Adjudicating Officer during the disciplinary proceedings, punishment(s) will be imposed in accordance with the law, including issuing a caution, separate confinement, forfeiture of remission, forfeiture of privileges, deprivation of earnings or part thereof, etc. Any PIC who is aggrieved by the ruling and/or punishment(s) imposed during the disciplinary proceedings may appeal to the Commissioner of Correctional Services in accordance with the established mechanism.

The grant of early release has never been a guaranteed right of PICs under the laws of Hong Kong; PICs should in principle serve the full sentence imposed by the court before they can be released. The mechanism of granting of remission or early release of PICs under the legislation is established to encourage good conduct and industry of PICs. As regards PICs serving their sentences in respect of their convictions of offences endangering national security, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance amended the relevant ordinances, such that if a PIC is serving a sentence for a conviction of an offence endangering national security, the PIC must not be granted remission or his case must not be referred to the relevant board for consideration of early release or sentence review, unless the Commissioner is satisfied that the grant of remission or the early release of the PIC will not be contrary to the interests of national security.

CSD provides all PICs with plain and wholesome food under the law. Currently, each PIC is provided with a total of four meals every day, namely morning, midday and evening meal plus a late snack. Although the meals are said to be plain and wholesome, they are in fact by no means plain. The dietary scales and quantity of meals are designed by accredited dietitians and approved by the Department of Health. In addition, there is a wide variety of diets. Apart from the four main dietary scales, there are also 37 supplementary diets and the menu would change every two weeks. PICs may request for change of dietary scale with regard to religious belief, health condition and dietary requirement. For the food items, there are different combinations of food items every day, including pork, beef, chicken, fish, beans, bean products and eggs. PICs are also provided with food such as vegetables, fruits and skimmed milk every day. If a PIC has a particularly strong appetite or special needs on diets, after being assessed by Medical Officer, the institution will make suitable arrangement.

CSD would take care of the dietary needs of different PICs, including pregnant or postnatal PICs. The dietary scales currently provided by CSD are designed by qualified dietitians and approved by the Department of Health. There are standards on the portion and nutrients of dietary scales with reference to relevant standards of Department of Health and World Health Organisation so that PICs do not need to consume external food for nutrients. If PICs have special dietary needs, taking pregnant or postnatal PICs as an example, institution management will make suitable arrangements based on the advice of Medical Officer, which include providing extra food items such as meat, eggs, milk and rice. In addition, the law stipulates that convicted PICs can only consume the food provided by the institution management. Therefore, relatives cannot bring nourishing food to pregnant or postnatal PICs during visits.

All convicted PICs shall consume meals provided by institutions under the law. For remand PICs, they may choose to consume meals provided by institution management, or order private food at their own expense from designated suppliers after seeking and obtaining prior permission.

For information about private food supplier application procedures, please refer to the CSD website.

CSD provides PICs with daily necessities including clothes, blankets, towels, soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs and toilet paper. In addition, PICs can keep approved hand-in articles received from their visitors, including wet tissues, dental floss, periodicals, exercise books and ball pens, but some of these articles require prior approval. Meanwhile, PICs can also use their earnings from work to purchase approved canteen items, including daily necessities and snacks, twice a month.

CSD provides PIC with a complete outfit of clothing and blankets adequate for warmth and replacement in accordance with statutory requirements. In winter, long sleeves underwear and underpants, long sleeves pullovers and pants, fleece pullovers, fleece jackets, socks, padded quilt blankets and blanket are distributed to them by the institution management. In the event of cold weather, institution management will distribute one or two additional blankets to them. If individual PICs need additional clothing and blankets by reason of health, they can make such requests to Medical Officers (MOs) at the institutions, and institution management will make suitable arrangements accordingly.

According to the relevant law, every PIC needs to take exercise unless exempted by the Medical Officers on medical grounds. PICs will be arranged to take exercise outdoors for not less than an hour every day. Institution management will arrange suitable ball games or recreational activities for PICs having regard to factors like institution operation and arrange Physical education instructors to provide guidance.

In general, PICs may watch television during holidays and break time in common facilities of the institutions such as dining halls and day rooms. In the selection of television programmes, institution management take into account various factors, including resources allocation of institutions, television signals received, language and programme content, to ensure suitable television programmes are arranged for PICs to watch. Besides, PICs may request duty officers to switch to other television channels. Officers will make suitable arrangements according to actual needs.

CSD provides daily necessities like clothing, bedding, towels, soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs and toilet paper to all PICs. PICs can also spend their earnings to buy approved items, including daily necessities and snacks, twice a month during canteen purchases. Besides, if PICs have other special needs in their daily lives, they can make requests with staff of the Rehabilitation Section. CSD will provide assistance and make relevant arrangements according to individual circumstances. Apart from PICs’ needs for daily necessities, CSD also concerns about their psychological and spiritual needs. If PICs are not visited by family members and friends, after obtaining consent from these PICs, the institution management will arrange staff of religious organisations or non-governmental organisations to pay visits, so as to render care and support to them.

There are two types of beds provided to PICs, which are fiberglass beds and bunk beds of metallic bed frames respectively. To keep the place neat and tidy, lockers or plastic boxes are provided in workshops, cells or dormitories of correctional institutions for PICs to keep their personal belongings. PICs are not allowed to place their personal belongings casually. For the quantities of letters and photographs to be kept by a PIC, it is stipulated that each PIC can keep a maximum of 72 photographs in his/her cell, while the number of letters allowed to be kept is subject to the quantity as approved by institution management. PICs can pass the excess photographs over the limit or excess letters to their relatives or friends upon visits for their custody. They can also hand over their photographs and letters to the institution for safekeeping and take them upon discharge.

There are various categories of PICs under the custody of CSD, including adult and young, male and female, convicted and remanded. To facilitate the management of various categories of PICs, CSD will provide them with different clothing for identification. Moreover, to maintain the health of PICs, CSD provides PICs with different summer and winter clothing. The clothing for patients, pregnant and PICs on exercise is different from the clothing for PICs at the usual time.

Spectacles worn by PICs must be made of plastic, including the frames and lens. If the spectacles worn by a PIC are prescribed with metal frames or glass lens, the institution management will ask them to prescribe another pair of spectacles conforming with the specifications, and the original spectacles will be kept under the custody of the institution or passed it to their relatives and friends. If PICs need to prescribe spectacles, they may apply to the institution management where recognized eyesight test will be arranged. Once confirmed them to have actual needs, PICs may apply to the institution management for receiving spectacles during visits by relatives and friends. If there is no visit from relatives and friends, PICs may apply for prescription of spectacles by Rehabilitation Unit staff in the market.

According to Rule 38 of the Prison Rules, all convicted adult PICs (except on medical grounds) are required to engage in work. PICs shall work for 6 days a week, whose hours of labour shall not be less than 6 nor more than 10 daily. Medical officers at institutions will assess whether a PIC is suitable to take up a specific task, based on his/her physical and mental health. PICs who have been certified by the Medical Officer as unfit for work on medical grounds are exempted and may receive a basic level of earnings weekly. Every correctional institution has a hospital or sick bay where 24-hour basic medical services are provided by Medical Officers from the Department of Health and correctional officers with nursing qualifications. If PICs need to visit public hospitals or specialist clinics for treatments or medical follow-ups, CSD will arrange the PICs for outside medical treatment.

However, if a PIC commits any of the offences against prison discipline as stipulated in Rule 61 of the Prison Rules (e.g. fighting, disobeying orders, in possession of unauthorized articles, etc.), disciplinary action will be taken against them in accordance with the law. If the PIC is found guilty upon adjudication, CSD will impose appropriate punishment enumerated in Rule 63 of the Prison Rules, including deprivation of earnings or part thereof.

CSD arranges PICs to work in accordance with the law. As CSD does not have an employer-employee relationship with PICs and all basic necessities of PICs are provided by the Government, including food, clothing, sanitary products and even medical services, “minimum wage” is not applicable to them. At present, the earnings for PICs are incentive to encourage and motivate PICs to work. PICs can save their earnings or spend them on purchase of canteen items (such as snacks and additional daily necessities). The rates of earnings will be reviewed once a year in accordance with the established mechanism.

In accordance with Rule 47 of the Prison Rules, PICs may receive or send any number of letters. Convicted PICs can send one free letter per week with envelope, papers and postage at public expense. If they want to send more, they can use their earnings from work to purchase papers, envelopes, and stamps. For remand PICs, they will be furnished with reasonable amount of paper and other writing materials to write letters.

If necessary, all PICs may also apply to receive appropriate amount of paper, envelope and stamp from visitors. Hence, all PICs have the rights to receive or write letters. Even if they have committed indiscipline acts in institutions, their rights to receive letters are not affected. Generally speaking, upon receiving letters for PICs, the institution management will perform classification, security check and registration, and then distribute them to the PICs within the next working day. The time for distribution of letters slightly varies according to the actual operation of the institutions.

Besides, any letter to PICs which is of such a nature or content poses a threat to any individual’s personal safety or to the security, good order and discipline of the institution, CSD may stop the letter, cause it to be returned to sender or be destroyed.

If a PIC has not received any visits from his/her spouse, children, parents or siblings within a month and he/she neither makes any phone calls to the above family members, they are allowed to make a 10-minute phone call to their overseas spouses, children, parents or siblings. Moreover, institution managements can approve them to make long-distance calls having regard to individual conditions and needs of PICs.

As it is rather difficult for family members of foreign PICs to come to Hong Kong to visit them regularly, CSD will refer the cases to non-government organisations, religious or voluntary agencies which will arrange visits and render assistance to PICs, so as to offer mental and spiritual support. Furthermore, making phone calls is not the only means for PICs to communicate with outside parties. For example, they can write and receive any number of letters to and from anyone.

Upon admission into correctional institutions, PICs cannot deal with daily family matters on their own, such as paying utility bills and handling school affairs of their children. Generally, PICs will require relatives or friends to bring documents for them, or authorise them to handle the matters on their behalf. In case signing of documents is needed, they may apply to the institution management via the staff of the Rehabilitation Unit. Institution management may exercise discretion in allowing PICs to sign documents (including cheques) during visits while the signed documents shall be carried away by their relatives or friends.

To encourage PICs to communicate with outside, they are allowed to send and receive any number of letters. However, for security reasons, all inward and outward letters to and from PICs may be opened and searched for security check by institutional staff to ensure that there are no items inside the letters which pose any threat to any individual's safety, security, good order and discipline of the institution. According to the law, in a maximum security institution, the letters will be opened and searched and may also be read for checking. In other institutions of lower security levels, if the institution management has reasonable doubts, inward and outward letters to and from PICs may also be read.

According to rule 17 of the Prison Rules, all PICs can apply for leave of absence with the Commissioner of Correctional Services. CSD will comprehensively consider various factors of individual cases in granting approvals. These factors include term of sentence, offence, criminal background, security level, public concerns, risk of escape, length of sentence served and PIC’s behaviour, pedestrian flow and security at the location, PIC’s relationship with his family members and other factors for granting approvals. Security risk is one of the important considerations. If PICs apply for leave of absence to pay visits to seriously ill relatives or tribute to deceased relatives, institution management will assess their cases according to the above factors. If applications are approved, correctional officers will arrange and escort PICs to pay visits or tribute to their relatives. During visits or tribute, PICs shall not have bodily contact with any persons, including their relatives on the spot.

If a PIC would like to register marriage in a correctional institution, he/she may apply to the correctional institution via the staff of the Rehabilitation Unit. Once the application is approved, his/her family members may hire a qualified civil celebrant from outside to arrange the registration of marriage. To maintain the security, discipline and order of correctional institutions, the PIC and his/her relatives or friends shall also comply with the rules of the correctional institution during the wedding ceremony. For instance, except exchanging wedding rings during the wedding ceremony, the PIC shall not have bodily contact with other participants of the ceremony. The wedding ring of the concerned PIC shall be taken away from the institution immediately after the ceremony, or else it shall be kept in his/her PIC’s property bag.

According to the laws of Hong Kong, the child of a female PIC may be received into correctional institution until the mother PIC has completed her sentence or such child has attained the age of 3 years, whichever is the earlier. To allow the PIC to take well care of her child, she does not need to work during this period. Apart from receiving approved toys and books for the child from relatives or friends upon visits, there are toys and books provided by the correctional institutions in parent-child centres of the institutions and their bedrooms. Currently, there is no arrangement for children in correctional institutions to have vacation outside.

If PICs want to register as a voter during incarceration, they can approach the staff of Rehabilitation Unit for an application form for voter registration. The completed form should be sent to Registration and Electoral Office (REO) / Home Affairs Department (HAD).

All election-related materials from REO / HAD such as poll card and candidates’ introductory leaflet will be sent to PICs through the institution management. They can also obtain information about the election from the notices displayed in the institution. On the polling day, PICs will be facilitated to cast their vote at the dedicated polling station set up in the institution.

Acts and activities endangering national security are very serious crimes. CSD would adopt all measures to prevent, suppress and punish such acts and activities in accordance with the law.

To ensure the stability and safety of correctional facilities, CSD has all along been closely monitoring PICs’ outgoing and incoming letters as well as incoming publications for PICs. CSD would search and read PICs’ incoming and outgoing letters in accordance with the law. If it is found that the content of letters poses a threat to the safety of the institutions or carries messages endangering national security, or involves deliberate dissemination of relevant messages or instructions to outside parties by PICs, all those letters will be stopped according to the law. All suspected illegal cases will be referred to the relevant law enforcement agencies for follow-up investigation.