XN000022-1974-01-18 — Page 17

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Friday, January 18, 1974

TIGHTER SECURITY MEASURES IN PRISONS

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New measures aimed at tightening prison security and discipline

are to be introduced into the Legislative Council shortly.

The measures are contained in the Prisons (Amendment) Bill 1974

published in today's Gazette.

Under the bill penalties for offences relating to the introduction

of unauthorized articles into a prison are to be increased from the present

$1,000 and six months' imprisonment to $2,000 and three years imprisonment.

Under the present Ordinance, it is an offence for any person to

introduce any prohibited article into a prison with the intent that it shall

come into the possession of a prisoner.

The bill introduces a new section with stricter provisions relating

to the possession by prison staff of prohibited articles and the introduction

by such staff into a prison of such articles.

The Prison (Amendment) Rules 1974 were published last Friday.

The new rules enable a medical officer, or certain prison staff

authorized by him, to search any external orifices of a prisoner for the purpose

of discovering concealed articles.

They also empower a medical officer, or certain prison staff authorized

by him, to require a prisoner to submit a urine specimen for examination and

analysis.

These rules will help in detecting the introduction of illicit

drugs and other unauthorized articles.

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