葉錫恩
(MRS.) E. ELLIOTT.
TEL. 3-422414
OUR
REF:
YOUR REF:
55, Kung Lok Road, Kwun Tong.
KOWLOON.
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Generally speaking we were impressed with the high standards of the prisons. The overcrowding that plagued the prisons in the past is gone, and we noticed that there was in all prisons a high standard of cleanliness, a good environment, an orderly life with reasonably decent and in some cases good cell accommodation. One wonders if some would have been driven to crime had their home conditions been as acceptable. Death row in Stanley Prison caused us some concern as the atmosphere in the cells is depressing for persons who may have to wait anything up to a year for their appeals to be heard or commutation of their death sentences.
We were impressed with the enlightened attitude of most super- intendents and officers, most of whom knew what was going on and took a personal interest in the inmates. This is not to say that there is nobrutality or cases of genuine complaints. Many complaints were made [about certain officers formerly at, Ma Po Ping and this matter is being
taken up with the Commissioner. Special commendation must go to the Hei Ling Chau Treatment Centre where the staff and inmates, in spite of financial stringencies are developing quite a colony on their island, and showing remarkable initiative. Ma Hang also presented an atmosphere conducive to rehabilitation and Chi Ma Wan was also impressive and appeared to be managed by enlightened supervision.
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I personally felt some anxiety at the Siu Lam psychiatric prison, where circumstances can be equated to those of a clean and well-kept hospital; yet outdoor activities are limited and conditions for work therapy appeared, to my non-expert eye, to be cramped and perhaps more depressing than rehabilitative. Perhaps I was unlucky to visit it a few days after there had been two attempted suicides. One has to be mindful of the psychiatric nature of the institution, and this is by no means a complaint against the management but rather against the lack of facilities for outdoor activity and work.
At Tai Lam Prison for Girls I felt likewise depressed to find fresh-faced young women, victims in many cases of triads and syndicated corruption which protects triads, imprisoned for drug treatment and social crimes perpetrated by others. Some other methods of rehabilitation of the victims need to be considered, rather than imprisonment.
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Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre too was most impressive, not only because it is a modern prison, but because so much diverse activity is organised and co-ordinated by its able superintendent.
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