PUBLIC ORDER
129
There are two medium security prisons: Victoria (accommodation 428) in Central District and Ma Po Ping (accommodation 570). Victoria is the department's oldest prison dating back to the 19th century. For much of the year, it was used to house Vietnamese refugees and people representing themselves as Vietnamese refugees. This prison is due to be replaced during the 1980s by a new, purpose-built medium security prison on Hei Ling Chau. Ma Po Ping Prison was originally for ordinary prisoners with previous institu- tional experience, but during the year it took the first offenders originally accommodated in Chi Ma Wan Prison. Improved security at the prison, through the erection of internal dividing fences, was completed in 1979 enabling the prison to be sectionalised for more effective control.
Minimum security prisons are located at Ma Hang (accommodation 130), Pik Uk (accommodation 400), Tong Fuk (accommodation 300) and Chi Ma Wan. Chi Ma Wan was converted to house Vietnamese refugees during the year. Both Pik Uk and Tong Fuk housed Vietnamese refugees early in the year but subsequently reverted to being used as prisons.
Pik Uk is for prisoners serving short sentences with previous institutional experience. A new industrial complex, including a laundry which will have a monthly capacity for about 455,000 kilograms of washing, will be completed in Pik Uk in 1981. Until then, the main prison labour force is being deployed on community service projects in the Sai Kung peninsula.
At Ma Hang and Tong Fuk Prisons, prisoners are mainly employed on outside work. Ma Hang and Ma Po Ping Prisons have geriatric units for prisoners who are considered too old to participate in ordinary activities.
Siu-Lam Psychiatric Centre (accommodation 120) is a maximum security prison providing advanced psychiatric treatment for the criminally insane and convicted prisoners of a dangerous or violent nature. Inmates from other institutions requiring psychiatric treatment or cases in which the courts require an assessment are also sent to the centre. The centre has a special wing temporarily set aside for female prisoners who require the highest degree of security. Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre is overcrowded with an average muster of 147, and an extension is being planned.
Young Male Offenders
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Three correctional programmes training centre, detention centre and prison - operate for young offenders. There are five main centres with accommodation for 1,137 young inmates; during 1979, the average daily population was 794. In addition, drug addiction treatment is provided for young offenders at Tai Lam Addiction Treatment Centre.
Lai King Training Centre (accommodation 260) houses young convicted people remanded for reports regarding their suitability for sentence to a training centre; young unconvicted people remanded from the courts on minor offences; and training centre inmates aged 14 to 17 years.
Cape Collinson Training Centre, a minimum security centre catering for the 18 to 21 age group, was used to house Vietnamese refugees during the year.
The Pik Uk Correctional Institution (accommodation 385) is a maximum security institution with separate sections for a training centre and a prison. Also accommo- dated are young people, including adults under 25 years, convicted by the courts but remanded for reports regarding their suitability for sentence to the Sha Tsui Detention Centre.
Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution (accommodation 160) is a minimum security institution with separate sections for a training centre and a prison.