Hong Kong.
Nr 98.
13th April, 1897.
Governor,
Sir W. Robinson, K.C.M.G.
to
The Right Honourable,
J. Chamberlain, M.P.
Regulations for the Prison.
Transmits copies of the amended regulations.
(one Enclosure)
878: 315
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.—No. 110
The Governor in Council is pleased to repeal all rules and regulations heretofore made under The Prison Ordinance, 1885, and the following regulations are made and published in lieu thereof.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 26th March, 1897.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
For the Management of the Prison at Victoria, Hongkong, and for the Guidance of its Officers; made by the Governor in Executive Council, under Section 17 of "The Prison Ordinance, 1885" this 18th day of March, 1897.
The Prison Rules and Regulations made by the Governor in Council on the 22nd day of October, 1891, the 28th day of May, 1892, the 5th day of November, 1892, and the 10th day of December, 1894, are hereby repealed and in lieu thereof the following Rules and Regulations are hereby substituted:
1. The officers of the Prison shall be—One Superintendent, one Surgeon, and such Chaplains and such officers as the Governor may from time to time appoint. The Superintendent shall reside at a place appointed by the Governor.
2. The Superintendent may punish any subordinate officer for misconduct, or neglect or breach of duty, by a fine not to exceed Ten Dollars, or by degradation to a lower rank. He shall enter any such exercise of authority in his Journal, and also in the Officers' Record of Service, and report the same without delay to the Governor. He may apply all fines to the general good of the officers in such manner as may be approved by the Governor.
3. The Superintendent may not grant more than one week's vacation or sick leave without authority from the Governor.
4. The Superintendent shall frequently test the quality and quantity of the rations supplied to the prisoners, and, should the quality be found to be bad or the quantity deficient, he shall note the same in his Journal, call on the contractor to make it good, and, if he considers it necessary, report the same to the Governor.
5. The Superintendent shall from time to time visit the prisoners at their meals, and shall enquire into any complaint that may be made to him regarding their food.
6. The Superintendent shall use his discretion in bringing to the notice of the Governor the case of any child of tender years who may be sentenced to imprisonment, and carry out the Governor's instructions concerning such child.
7. The Superintendent shall use his best endeavours to assist in the identification of prisoners, and with that object shall furnish to the Police any information in his power.
8. The Superintendent shall not accompany the Visiting Justices in their visits of inspection to the prison, but shall inform them of any prisoner who wishes to see them, and shall otherwise assist them so far as he is able. During the inspection of the prison, either by the Governor or any other Officer of rank or by Visiting Justices, the prisoners should be ordered to stand to attention. Prisoners wishing to communicate with the Officers inspecting should then be afforded an opportunity of doing so.
9. The Superintendent shall take care that the Notice Board required by The Prison Ordinance, 1885, section 13, to be placed in some conspicuous place outside the prison, cautioning persons against bringing spirits, opium, tobacco, money, letters, or other prohibited articles into the prison, is duly maintained.
10. The Superintendent shall enforce the highest possible degree of cleanliness in every part of the prison, in the persons of the prisoners, their clothes and bedding, and see that the bedding and clothing are all in proper repair.
11. The Superintendent shall deliver daily to the Surgeon a list of prisoners in solitary confinement, and of such as may have complained of sickness, sores, or any other ailment, without any exception, whether he thinks such complaint groundless or not; also a list of prisoners who have recently suffered, or are about to suffer, corporal punishment or solitary confinement; and shall call his attention to any case of insanity or apparent insanity occurring among the prisoners.
12. The Superintendent shall take every precaution to prevent fire or the escape of prisoners; and shall cause all the wards, cells, bolts, bars, and locks of the prison to be thoroughly examined daily.