Appendix L.
PRISONS DEPARTMENT HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR 1939.
"It has been said that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance; I would say that as far as prisons are concerned the price of progress is eternal experiment".
FROM AN ADDRESS GIVEN TO THE HOWARD LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM BY MR. HAROLD SCOTT, C.B., CHAIRMAN OF THE PRISON COMMISSION.
I. GENERAL.
1. The reorganization envisaged in last year's report proceeded steadily and smoothly up to the outbreak of war.
2. The segregation of Chinese first offenders from previous offenders was completed in July by the division of the prison into two sections. Except in the hospital no contact is now possible between sections.
Within each section prisoners are classified into long term and short term prisoners and each class wears distinctive clothing.
3. All work outside the prison is done by short term first offenders, and on occasion they have been sent several miles in lorries for labour on defence works.
Long term first offenders are employed in the kitchens, laundry, tailor's shop, and in the rattan, shoe-making and leather working industries.
Previous offenders are employed in the printing shop and in the carpentering, tinsmithing and coir industries. A new industry is being started in this section early in 1940: concrete block making. Two machines for this purpose have been ordered and are now on their way from England.
Each section carries out its own domestic duties with the exception of the cooking and preparation of meals which is done for the whole prison by long term first offenders.
4. From my own observations and from reports from senior subordinate officers there is no doubt that the segregation which has been introduced is having a marked effect on the prisoners. When "old lags" and first offenders lived and worked together the former were feared, obeyed, and perhaps admired by the latter, and in fact ruled the roost. This state of affairs has entirely changed. First offenders, safe from contact with their former bullies, now regard them with open disfavour. It is a curious fact that since segregation came into force the first offenders have come to regard themselves as a superior class of beings! This is all to the good.
5. The principal innovations during the year have been:--
(a) The formation of a central guard consisting of 2 Indian warders and 16 Indian guards in place of the scattered armed sentries which were dotted about in various parts of the prison. The guard is situated in the administrative section of the prison and furnishes four sentry posts, one in each corner tower. The Principal Officer's office in the centre of the prison is connected with the guard room by loud speaker.
(b) A rifle range has been built in the prison grounds and an annual small arms course for all officers has been inaugurated.
Appendix L.
PRISONS DEPARTMENT HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR 1939.
"It has been said that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance; I would say that as far as prisons are concerned the price of progress is eternal experiment".
FROM AN ADDRESS GIVEN ΤΟ THE HOWARD LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM BY MR. HAROLD SCOTT, C.B., CHAIRMAN OF THE PRISON COMMISSION.
I. GENERAL.
1. The reorganization envisaged in last year's report proceeded steadily and smoothly up to the outbreak of war.
2. The segregation of Chinese first offenders from previous offenders was completed in July by the division of the prison into two sections. Except in the hospital no contact is now possible between sections.
Within each section prisoners are classified into long term and short term prisoners and each class wears distinctive clothing.
3. All work outside the prison is done by short term first offenders, and on occasion they have been sent several miles in lorries for labour on defence works.
Long term first offenders are employed in the kitchens, laundry, tailors shop, and in the rattan, shoe-making and leather working industries.
Previous offenders are employed in the printing shop and in the carpentering,. tinsmithing and coir industries. A new industry is being started in this section early in 1940: concrete block making. Two machines for this purpose have been ordered and are now on their way from England.
Each section carries out its own domestic duties with the exception of the cooking and preparation of meals which is done for the whole prison by long term. first offenders.
4. From my own observations and from reports from senior subordinate officers there is no doubt that the segregation which has been introduced is having a marked effect on the prisoners. When "old lags" and first offenders lived and worked together the former were feared, obeyed, and perhaps admired by the latter, and in fact ruled the roost. This state of affairs has entirely changed. First offenders, safe from contact with their former bullies, now regard them with open disfavour. It is a curious fact that since segregation came into force the first offenders have come to regard themselves as a superior class of beings! This is all to the good.
5. The principal innovations during the year have been :--
(a) The formation of a central guard consisting of 2 Indian warders and 16 Indian guards in place of the scattered armed sentries which were dotted about in various parts of the prison. The guard is situated in the administrative section of the prison and furnishes four sentry posts, one in each corner tower. The Principal Officer's office in the centre of the prison is connected with the guard room by loud speaker.
(b) A rifle range has been built in the prison grounds and an annual small
arms course for all officers has been inaugurated.
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