Press Release

Correctional Services Department combats illicit activities

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (August 4) launched an operation at Lo Wu Correctional Institution to combat illicit activities of persons in custody.

     ​As revealed by intelligence in recent days, some persons in custody of other nationalities in Lo Wu Correctional Institution planned to challenge the institution management regarding the basic necessities of life, and incite the sentiments of fellow persons in custody. The institution management immediately monitored the activities of target persons in custody.

     At around 9.40am today, when 59 persons in custody were having morning meals in a dining hall, a total of 21 persons in custody therein expressed dissatisfaction towards the taste of the milk tea, and requested immediate change of the milk tea or else they would refuse to leave the dining hall. Correctional officers tasted the tea in accordance with the established procedures and no irregularities were detected. With the reinforcement of the Regional Response Team and after the final warning given by officers, the persons in custody concerned gradually left the dining hall at 10.30am. At present, the 21 persons in custody were removed from association for investigation. The CSD will closely monitor the situation and make appropriate deployment.

     The CSD provides persons in custody with plain and wholesome food in accordance with the law. Meals are prepared by persons in custody under the guidance of qualified Catering Instructors. The institution management inspects and tastes the food daily before meals are distributed. Personal preferences of persons in custody are not considered.

     Correctional officers will remain extremely vigilant in preventing any persons in custody from causing trouble by exploiting the sense of unease among persons in custody under the current situation of the pandemic.

     Lo Wu Correctional Institution is a medium security institution for the detention of female adult persons in custody who are mostly convicted.

Ends/Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Issued at HKT 20:40