XN000022-1996-02-07 — Page 70

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Measures to combat gambling by prisoners

Following is a question by the Hon Ip Kwok-him and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday).

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

whether gambling among prisoners is widespread in prisons, if so, what forms of gambling prisoners indulge in and whether such gambling activities have created any difficulties for the Correctional Services Department (CSD) in managing the prisons; and

what measures the CSD is planning to take to curb gambling activities in prisons?

Reply:

Gambling in prisons takes various forms, such as betting on horses, playing self-made cards and self-made pai kau and is usually conducted amongst long-term prisoners. Gambling sometimes gives rise to disputes between prisoners, particularly over debts. These disputes undermine discipline and order in prisons and pose management problems, such as when indebted prisoners seek protection from the management from their creditors, refuse to work or refuse to return to accommodation which they share with their creditors.

Because of the potential problems gambling by prisoners can cause, the Correctional Services Department is determined to keep the problem under control. As with other discipline problems in prisons, the Department adjusts its priority in accordance with the prevalence of the problem. Activities have been stepped up to combat gambling by prisoners in response to the rise in number of illegal betting slips found in prisons. These activities include strengthened supervision and increased searches. Those caught gambling will be subject to disciplinary action, as provided in the Prison Rules. These measures have proved to be effective and will continue.

End