2.
"He was a habitual complainant who made 35 complaints to our Complaints Investigation Unit (CIU), Justices of the Peace, the Office of the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints (COMAC), the Legislative Council and even to the then British Prime Minister Mrs Margaret Thatcher during his time at Shek Pik Prison.
"He seems hardly likely to make such complaints if he feels he will be victimised by staff as a result," Mr Lai said.
The Commissioner said CIU was but one channel by which prisoners could air their complaints.
"They can approach a visiting Justice of the Peace at any time on his rounds, and even request a private discussion. They can petition the Govemor, write to COMAC, LegCo or anyone else they feel might be able to help them.
"They can even complain about the way CIU cases have been conducted to these bodies if they wish," Mr Lai added, noting that there were so many channels of complaints outside the control of CSD.
The number of CIU cases in 1995 was 171, up 11 per cent from 154 in 1994 and 80 per cent from 95 in 1993. The number of cases substantiated was seven in 1993, 11 in 1994 and nine in 1995.
Mr Lai pointed out that if CIU was held in such low regard and so distrusted, the number of complaints would not increase.
"The rise in complaints is due to the greater awareness among inmates of their right to complain," he said.
"The low substantiation rate is due to the fact that there are so many trivial issues brought up as a ruse to get out of some other form of trouble. Yet where we have substantial evidence to support a complaint we will take action against the staff involved," Mr Lai explained.
On accusations of staff gambling on duty, the Commissioner said these allegations were complete nonsense.
"No member of staff has been found to be gambling on duty either with prisoners or other staff," Mr Lai said.
As for the allegation that the gambling takes place at night, he said this was simply ridiculous.
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