XN000022-1974-02-09 — Page 2

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Saturday, February 9, 1974

CALL FOR TIGHTER SECURITY AT SIU LAM PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE

Board Of Enquiry Submits Recommendations

Centre.

Improved security measures are needed at the Siu Lan Psychiatric

A government spokesman said today that this was the finding of

the Board of Enquiry into the escape of prisoner Ho Cheung on January 29.

The Board's recommendations included a proposal for a second

perimeter fonce.

Their investigation into the circumstances of the escape included

a thorough inspection of the buildings at Siu Lan," said the spokesman.

"They reported that these showed a high standard of security, generally

meeting the requirements of such an institution.

"The Board found, however, that there was a need to reinforce the

periceton foncing, creating a sterile area with the addition of a second

fence to thwart escapes from the inside or rescue attempts from the outsido."

The Board also called for a more careful check on the classification

of prisoners employed on maintenance tasks and garden work at the contro,

to

ensure that prisoners with a higher security risk were not engaged in

such duties.

With regard to the latter category of prisoner, the report urged

immediato consideration of the need for more distinctive clothing, and

the spokesman said that a working party had been set up within the Prisone

Department to examine this proposal.

This