CONFIDENTIAL
BACKGROUND
There are now 115 Chinese prisoners in Hong Kong
all of whom were original sentenced t; four years
imprisonment or more during the disturbances of 1967.
Of these "confrontation" prisoners five vere convicted
of offences involving violence, 87 for possession of
offensive weapons, and 23 for possession cr the use of
explosives.
2.
Thirty five of the 115 are due for release during the
remainder of this year. Assuming in all cases no loss
of remission, another 29 will be released in 1971 and a
further 29 in the two years 1972 and 1973; the remainder,
with the exception of two serving life sentences, will be
released in the period 1974-77.
The Governor's Prerogative
3. Under the Letters Patent, the Governor may grant to
any convicted offender a pardon, either free or subject to
lawful conditions, or any remission of the sentence.
In the exercise of his power to remit sentences the
Governor is advised by a Prisons Poard of Review consisting
of four officials and two unofficials under the Chairmanship
of the Attorney General.
Review Procedure
4. Prison Rule 69 provides that normal remission of all
sentences shall be one third of sentence. Prison Rule 69A
lays down that sentences shall be reviewed after four years
and every two years thereafter provided the prisoner, if
over 21 at the date of the offence, is serving a term of
/imprisonment
CONFIDENTIAL
Page 120Page 121