HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1953
were
Lai Chi Kok Prison. A total of 1,539 women received into Lai Chi Kok Prison and there was a daily average of 120 occupants. The prison is on the outskirts of Kowloon. There is a forestry plantation close to the walls and a number of women are employed on this work.
Discipline, Health, Education and Training. The standard of discipline, both of staff and prisoners, is high. There was very little faction fighting in the prisons compared with previous years; No epidemics and few cases of disease were contracted in prison. The physical standard on admission is often pitiful, but medical services are efficient and much work has been done to combat the three main scourges of tuberculosis, venereal disease and drug addiction.
The number of schoolmasters in the department has reached the authorized strength of seven and educational facilities are now available for all in the younger age groups, whether prisoners or Training Centre boys. There is great keenness and very good progress has been made. Trade train- ing facilities are available to all prisoners.
Long-term prisoners are employed on industrial work including the making of rattan articles, carpentry, tailoring, laundering, bootmaking, tinsmithing and cooking. Short-term prisoners work outside the walls on reclamation projects and in the gardens.
An Earnings Scheme was introduced on 1st May, which is open to all prisoners who have more than two weeks to serve. Rates are fixed according to skill and industry. A canteen system has been provided as an outlet for earnings; in addition, prisoners may remit money to their families. There is no scheme for extra-mural work.
All prison sentences over one month are subject to a maximum remission of one-third.
130