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Friday, April 27, 1973

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Convicted persons in respect of whom, in the opinion

of the Full Court on appeal to it, a verdict of not guilty by reasons of insanity or a finding of disability should have been returned.

Persons in respect of whom a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity has been returned, but in the opinion of the Full Court on appeal to it, a finding of disability should have been returned, and

Those presently detained in a mental hospital under the Health Ordinance or under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance.

Women and persons of either sex under the age of 14 who are

suffering from mental disorder will not be admitted to the new Centre;

neither will convicted persons who suffer from mental disorder but who

have been acquitted by the Full Court on appeal.

Under the Bill, a hospital order will be sufficient authority

for the Commissioner of Prisons to admit a person to whom the order rolates

to the new Centre.

Persons admitted to the Centre would be treated as if they were

being legally confined in prison but their discharge from the Centre would

require the prior consent of the Governor.

While in the Centre, they would not be granted any leave of absence.

The Bill also incorporates a new clause which empowers a court or magistrate to authorise the detention in the Centre of a person who is in

custody awaiting trial, if it is proved that he is mentally unsound.

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