TNAG-1585-FCO40-2159-Hong-Kong-prisons-and-prisoners-1986 — Page 3

8

Expenditure from the Prisoners' Welfare Fund would be

in the following broad categories

9

(a)

(b)

(c)

or

for procuring comforts, conveniences other advantages for prisoners while in prison;

for meeting expenses of prisoners and for providing to prisoners services or items not chargeable to public revenue; and

for assisting prisoners after discharge.

•

Item (a) of paragraph 8 above comprises mainly decorations and prizes awarded in prisoners' competitions. Item (b) comprises mainly refreshments for marching bands and teams together with educational course fees and examination fees for prisoners. During the financial year ended 31 March 1986, $33,656 and $4,061 respectively were spent on these two items. No money has ever been disbursed in respect of item (c) above and its inclusion is to

inclusion is to cater for future eventualities. The balance of the existing fund as at 31 March 1986 was approximately $250,000.

10

The cost of the administration of the fund would be a charge upon the general revenue of Hong Kong.

But, as with several ordinances establishing Trusts, the Financial Secretary would have the power to impose a supervision fee to a limit of 2.5% of the income of the fund over the relevant period.

11

Rule 7 of the amendment rules makes provision for the rules governing administration of the Correctional Services Department Welfare Fund to govern also the administration of the Prisoners' Welfare Fund.

Frequency of letter writing

12

In addition to the proposals relating to the Prisoners Welfare Fund it is proposed that there should be a relaxation in the rules governing letter-writing by prisoners. At present, under rule 47(a) of the Prison Rules, a prisoner is allowed to send one letter every two weeks. However under rules 47(c) and

and (d) the Superintendent of a prison and the Commissioner respectively have considerable latitude to allow letters to be sent at a greater frequency. Superintendents and the Commissioner have, wherever possible, allowed a greater frequency of letter-writing in order to facilitate the rehabilitation prospects of prisoners, particularly those about

DECTA 163