accommodate 1,559 prisoners but under present conditions it is consistently overcrowded with a population varying between 2,000 and 3,000 male prisoners and including in its number first offenders, juveniles and adults. In these circumstances great difficulties have been placed in the way of correct classi- fication and the segregation of the different classes of prisoners and much effort has been expended to provide alternative accommodation for these purposes without encroaching unduly on funds and building materials required for other urgent works of rehabilitation.
The former female prison which was situated on the main- land in the outskirts of Kowloon suffered very heavy damage as a result of the war and it was not until well on in the course of the year under review that it could be repaired and brought into use. In the meantime the female prisoners were accom- modated in Stanley Prison and such segregation as was possible in the circumstances was arranged. On 1st October, the female prisoners were transferred to the female prison which had by that time been repaired and made habitable. The accom- modation provides for 250 persons and the adjoining staff quarters have been put in order. Flower and vegetable gardens have been laid out and industries including laundry work, sewing and weaving have been instituted for prisoners serving long sentences.
The former Victoria Gaol suffered considerable damage during the war. Situated in the urban area of Hong Kong its position is convenient for the Courts, and cell accommodation for 150 remand prisoners was repaired and brought into use. during 1946. Although the building is far from satisfactory, being the remains of the Colony's first prison, a dungeon-like relic of Victorian prison design, the lack of alternative accom- modation renders the continuance of its use necessary. Repairs have been gradually extended within the prison to provide accommodation also for persons held in custody
custody pending deportation, as well as for debtors, appellants and prisoners serving sentences of one month or less. A separate section for young persons in each category is maintained.
Young Prisoners.
In this category are grouped young prisoners between the ages of 16 and 21 years. There is, so far, no Borstal institute in the Colony and until the end of 1947 lads of Borstal age continued to be housed in Stanley Prison. Every effort is made to keep them separate from hardened criminals but nothing short of the establishment of a separate institution of the Borstal type can be really satisfactory. Fortunately, a start, albeit on a temporary basis, will be made shortly in this direc- tion. Two war-time food stores situated within about 200 yards of Stanley Prison have been taken over and are at the present time being repaired and adapted. When completed the estab- lishment which will be known as "The Young Prisoners' Training Centre", will accommodate a maximum of 100 prisoners. In the meantime, young male prisoners have been moved into
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