L 7
Schemes are under consideration for the building of a new prison. Until that institution is occupied little or nothing can be done effectively to separate the different classes.
(4) Except in a few cases where unproductive labour is used as a deterrent, every convicted prisoner in Hong Kong is now employed on some form of useful work. Many develop into good tailors, carpenters, mat-makers and printers and with better facilities I am confident better working results would be obtained. Fifteen years ago the majority turned the handles of machines known as 'cranks', or carried shot and stone, both forms of labour producing no result except perhaps the development of certain muscles and dull discontent.
(5) This Colony's criminal population is peculiar inasmuch as 94% of the prisoners convicted are not British born and 23% are banished for periods varying from 5 years to life after completing their sentences in prison. It is doubtful whether any system of educational or 'vocational' training would have much value in these cases. The only way to judge would be by the numbers of banishees returning to the Colony. A falling off in these numbers might indicate that instruction in prison had enabled them to become useful members of society in their own country—or it might not. The number of banished criminals who return to Hong Kong varies with the conditions in the adjacent Chinese provinces.
33. The usual returns are appended.
14th May, 1931.
J. W. FRANKS, Superintendent of Prisons.
L 7
Schemes are under consideration for the building of a new prison. Until that institution is occupied little or nothing can be done effectively to separate the different classes.
(4) Except in a few cases where unproductive labour is used as a deterrent, every convicted prisoner in Hong Kong is now employed on some form of useful work. Many develop into good tailors, carpenters, mat- makers and printers and with better facilities I am confident better working results would be obtained Fifteen years ago the majority turned the handles of machines known as 'cranks', or carried shot and stone, both forms of labour producing no result except perhaps the development of certain muscles and dull discontent.
(5) This Colony's criminal population is peculiar inas- much as 94% of the prisoners convicted are not British born and 23% are banished for periods varying from 5 years to life after completing their sentences in prison. It is doubtful whether any system of educational or 'vocational' training would have much value in these cases. The only way to judge would be by the numbers of banishees return- ing to the Colony. A falling off in these numbers might indicate that instruction in prison had enabled them to become useful members of society in their own country-or it might not. The number of banished criminals who return to Hong Kong varies with the conditions in the adjacent Chinese pro- vinces.
33. The usual returns are appended.
14th May, 1931.
J. W. FRANKS, Superintendent of Prisons.
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