Press Release

Inmates assist in epidemic prevention

    The Correctional Services Department is assisting in epidemic prevention, with inmates making filter masks and isolation gowns for government departments. (Video)
 
      The department encourages inmates to contribute to the community. The filter masks workshop at Lo Wu Correctional Institution produces 50,000 masks daily. The workshop is an isolated area with air-conditioning and air-purifying systems to ensure hygiene.
 
      Inmates working there must be in good health, and wear work clothes, gloves, masks and caps. The products are transported via an underpass, so the environment does not affect their quality.

      Inmate, Ah Ling (alias), who has worked at the shop for nearly eight months, said she must be very careful when making the masks. The delicate work reminds her she must be just as cautious when she is released in future.
 
      The department has adopted special measures to cope with increasing demand for the products in anticipation of a possible H7N9 outbreak, such as increasing working hours to stabilise production.
 
      Superintendent, Rehabilitation Division (Industries & Vocational Training Section) Lam Tin-yau said the department has also increased its stock of raw materials from one month to three in case of a supply shortage.
 
      He said the workshop’s output can be raised to 60,000 masks daily to meet demand.

Epidemic prevention: Inmates make filter masks for government departments at Lo Wu Correctional Institution.

May 3, 2013