Press Release

Visits help prisoners' rehabilitation and enhance their family relations

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD) is committed to providing a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy environment for offenders, so as to enhance their rehabilitation, protect the public and reduce crime, a CSD spokesperson said today (December 30).

     In response to media enquiries on visits paid to prisoners, the spokesperson said according to Rule 48 of Chapter 234A, a convicted prisoner is allowed visits twice a month. Each visit lasts for 30 minutes and no more than three visitors are allowed at one time.

     "However, in the interest of the prisoner's rehabilitation and relationship with his/her family, the head of the correctional institution may allow extra visits on case-by-case basis with due regard to available visiting facilities," the spokesperson said.

     "Heads of correctional institutions may also allow any convicted prisoner to meet his/her relatives or friends for making arrangements over his/her property."

     The spokesperson cited the example of Tai Lam Centre for Women where 62 applications for additional visits were made from July 1 to December 29 this year (2010), of which 56 (90%) were approved.

Ends/Thursday, December 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:03