39
The authorized establishment of Subordinate Staff for 1939 was:-
European Officers 73 Indian Officers 226 Chinese Staff 62 Male Staff 361 Female Officers 28 Total Subordinate Staff 389The total number of persons committed to prison in the year 1939 was 16,146 as compared with 15,046 in 1938. The daily average number of prisoners in the prisons in 1939 was:
Hong Kong Prison 2,832 Victoria Remand Prison 88 (from 16.10.-31.12.39) Female Prison 183The highest previous average was 2,556 in 1938. Over 87% of prisoners admitted are persons born outside the Colony. The percentage of convicted prisoners admitted to prison with previous convictions recorded against them was 31.5 as compared with 24.3 in 1938 and 21.6 in 1937. The percentage of male prisoners with previous convictions was 33.1.
No measures exist at present for the mental training of prisoners. Prisoners may, however, purchase books for their own use; they also have access to books, English and Chinese, from the prisoners' library.
Spiritual training is confined to visits paid on Sundays by officially appointed Chaplains and by approved preachers and laymen.
The confinement and training of young offenders is carried out in the Juvenile Remand Home in Hong Kong. The Home is administered by the Commissioner of Police.
No system of after-care is in operation.
The health of the prisoners generally was good and the discipline in the prisons was well maintained.
Prisoners are employed in printing, bookbinding, shoemaking, tinsmithing, matmaking, tailoring, carpentering, weaving, gardening, laundry work, cleaning and minor repairs in buildings. The bulk of Government printing and book-binding is done in the Hong Kong Prison.
The total cost of each prisoner for the year (average) was $302.91.
The cost of feeding each prisoner for the year (average) was $62.89.
Remand Homes.
During the year 247 boys underwent sentences of detention for various crimes at the Remand Home for Juveniles (Boys), and 44 girls underwent detention at the Remand Home for Girls. These institutions are not under prison administration. The boys are given instruction in elementary reading and writing and in rattan work. The girls are given employment in house-work, laundry, and making and mending clothes. There are recreation facilities at both Homes.
There are four Probation Officers, two males and two females, attached to the Homes.