Press Release

Correctional Services Department combats illicit activities

     ​The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (June 14) launched an operation at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to combat illicit activities by persons in custody.

     At around 3.53pm yesterday (June 13), five male remand persons in custody were found fighting inside a dayroom. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the fight and called for reinforcement. During the incident, five persons in custody sustained minor injuries to the head, the back and elbows etc. After examination and treatment provided by the institution Medical Officer, they did not need to be sent to a public hospital. Investigation revealed that the fight broke out in relation to illicit transaction of food among persons in custody. During the course of the incident, 20 persons in custody refused to return to their cells and demanded the management to rescind any further investigation. After warning and further reinforcement, they voluntarily left the dayroom and were removed from association for investigation.

     According to intelligence, some persons in custody attempted to incite others and organise collective activities with a view to acting against the management. After assessment and detailed planning, the CSD deployed the regional response team, a dog unit and support teams to Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to conduct searches of target locations and persons. During the operation, three remand persons in custody, who were found in possession of unauthorised articles or suspected of engaging in illicit activities, were removed from association and put under investigation. The present atmosphere at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre is stable. The CSD will continue to closely monitor the development and the persons in custody concerned.

     In order to assist persons in custody to rehabilitate in a safe and orderly environment, the CSD spares no effort in combating illicit activities of all kinds in its institutions.

     Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre is a maximum security prison for the detention of male adult persons in custody who are mostly on remand.

Ends/Friday, June 14, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:04