ENG-1949 — Page 130

classes of prisoners is segregated. There is approved accommodation for 516 prisoners and the daily average population for 1949 was 427.

The Boys Reformatory is housed in buildings which were war-time food-storage godowns, three of which have been subdivided to form dormitories, schoolrooms, workshops, kitchen, dining-room, recreation room, sick-bay etc., and another provides quarters for subordinate staff. To these has been added a small building containing two offices. There is reasonably good accommodation for 75 boys. During 1949 the daily average number was 61, the highest muster during the year being 75 (22.4.49.) and the lowest 47 (9.11.49).

Lai Chi Kok Female Prison is situated on the mainland, in the north-western suburbs of Kowloon. Except for 24 cells the accommodation is of dormitory type. There is reasonable space for 250 convicted prisoners, 22 prisoners on remand and awaiting deportation, and a hospital with 12 beds with a separate room for maternity cases. Women prisoners are employed at cooking and domestic duties, laundry, sewing, hand-weaving and gardening, while a small party assists daily in the nursery garden of the Forestry Department. Prisoners are encouraged to make good use of their leisure by attendance at classes where knitting and sewing is taught. The articles made are sold periodically, the proceeds forming a general fund from which deserving cases are assisted on discharge. The daily average popula-

tion during 1949 was 211, the highest muster being 327 on 9.3.49 and the lowest 153 on 13.10.49.

Staff and Discipline

Of a total staff of 451 no less than 304 have joined since the reoccupation and of this number 165 joined during 1948 and 1949, but in spite of such a "young" staff the standard of discipline has been brought to and maintained at a high level.

No prisoner escaped during the year and there has been no serious incident in any prison.

Industries within the prisons and reclamation and other works outside the walls have been developed to the point that every prisoner fit for labour is usefully employed and the value of the work performed is about equal to the cost of food and clothing.

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