PUBLIC ORDER
141
Prison Industries
Prison industries train inmates in the habit of doing useful work under comparable condi- tions to those of outside industry and to better utilise inmate labour in providing goods and services. To further these objectives, a Works Unit was established during the year to under- take suitable clearance and construction projects and it is envisaged that this unit will greatly enlarge the scope of the work presently done by inmate labour. The productive work of prison industries includes the manufacture of garments, shoes and fibreglass products; silk-screening, carpentry, laundering, printing and light engineering. The value of prison products in 1980 was estimated as $25 million, compared with $21 million in 1979. Progress was made during the year on providing additional industries and on improving the quality of products. Work commenced on a new workshop for manufacturing pre-cast concrete products - a new trade in prison industries.
Visiting Justices
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Visiting Justices are appointed by the Governor and each penal establishment is visited by two Justices of the Peace (one official, one unofficial) fortnightly or monthly, depending on the type of institution. These visits are undertaken at times and on days of the justices' own choosing, within a prescribed period, and take place without prior notice. Visiting justices are required to carry out certain statutory duties such as the investigation of com- plaints made to them by prisoners, the inspection of diets, and the examination of accom- modation. They are required to make reports in writing to the Governor of any abuses they observe or discover. They are also required to assist the Commissioner of Prisons with advice and suggestions on the employment of prisoners, with particular reference to their employment opportunities on discharge. All comments, suggestions and recommendations are carefully evaluated and considered for appropriate action. A total of 361 visits were made by justices to the various institutions during the year.
Medical Care
All penal institutions are equipped with hospitals or sick bays where inoculations and chest X-rays are provided and regular urinalysis is carried out to detect the presence of narcotics. Medical treatment is also given for tuberculosis and minor ailments. Emergency cases and those requiring intensive care are transferred to government hospitals, while the less urgent cases are referred to visiting consultants or to government specialist clinics. Full dental care is given to prisoners and inmates serving a sentence of more than three years, and routine and emergency treatment is available for those serving shorter
sentences.
Two psychiatrists from Castle Peak Hospital visit Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre each day to provide treatment; to prepare psychiatric reports for the courts; and to examine prisoners referred from other institutions for assessment.
Staff Training
The Staff Training Institute conducts one-year training courses for recruit officers and assistant officers. Both courses are divided into three stages interspersed with two periods of field training. The syllabus includes operational knowledge on such subjects as super- vision, escort duties, report-writing, self-defence and disturbance control. Refresher and specialised continuation courses are also organised for staff of all ranks to supplement in-service training.