XN000022-1996-07-17 — Page 6

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He was briefed on the management and operations of the 12-year-old prison which came into operation in 1984 and was the last major penal facility to be constructed. At present, it houses about 800 inmates - almost 80 per cent above its certified accommodation of 450.

He was told that with the current overcrowding situation in penal institutions, some inmates had to share single unit cells. However, conditions are not as crammed as in some other institutions because the cells are more spacious than the "older" ones.

During his tour of workshops, Mr Patten was briefed by Principal Industrial Officer, Mr Leung Kam-ning, who is in charge of the industrial set-up at Shek Pik Prison. All prisoners who are certified fit are required to work so as to alleviate boredom which could lead to unrest among inmates.

In the kitchen, the Governor saw inmates preparing meals for prisoners and was impressed by the high hygiene standards in food preparation.

At the prison hospital, he was met by the Senior Medical Officer, Dr Chan Kaw-hwee, who is the resident medical officer of Shek Pik Prison. He also met the Clinical Psychologist, Mr Francis Butt.

The Governor then stopped in at the institution's chapel where he was met by Rev Father Sean Burke who has been a visiting Chaplain to the Correctional Services Department (CSD) institutions since 1975. Mr Patten was informed that religious services and counselling are provided to inmates with different faiths.

At the Sha Tsui Detention Centre, the Governor was briefed by Superintendent Choy Tin-bo on the concept of the "short, sharp, shock" treatment for young offenders who undergo a rigorous regime of physical programming aimed at instilling discipline, courtesy and a sense of well-being.

He was told the young inmates are put through a series of rigid sessions of physical training, foot-drill and grass-cutting.

At the centre hospital, he was met by Medical Officer, Dr Thein Soe-tun. He was briefed on the various medical facilities and programmes for young offenders so as to ensure they are fit to carry out the rigid schedules.

At the end of the visit, Mr Patten dropped in on the visitors' waiting room where he was briefed on improvements made to the area so that callers are better informed of CSD's rehabilitation programme.

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