ENG-1976 — Page 175

PUBLIC ORDER

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The Commissioner of Prisons is responsible for the overall administration of 16 penal institutions, a half-way house and a staff training institute.

Prisons

Overcrowding remains a perennial problem in Hong Kong's prisons. Stanley Prison, the maximum security institution, was built on Hong Kong Island in 1937 to accommodate 1,537 prisoners. Almost from the start it has housed inmates well in excess of this figure, and in 1976 the average daily population was more than 2,314. Although a vital function of a maximum security prison is to protect the community from the more violent and dangerous criminal, the principal aim is that of correction and rehabilitation. For this reason, Stanley_has a comprehensive industrial centre with large and well equipped workshops. Prisōn industries include tailoring, carpentry, shoemaking, silk-screening, fibreglass moulding and laundry work.

Victoria Reception Centre, situated in busy Central District, has approved accommodation for 442, but in 1976 the average daily population was 803. With the exception of people charged with very serious offences (who are remanded in Stanley Prison), Victoria Reception Centre receives all male offenders on remand and after sentencing. On admission, all prisoners undergo a thorough medical examination including an X-ray. Those who have been convicted attend a classification board to determine the type of institution to which they will be sent, taking into consideration physical fitness, security requirement, type of offence and previous criminal history.

Stanley Prison and Victoria Reception Centre have for many years carried the brunt of the overcrowding problem, but it is hoped that the accommodation situation will improve in the near future with the completion of new institutions. Structural work has already begun on a new reception centre at Lai Chi Kok which is due for completion in late 1977. This centre will accommodate 960 remand and convicted prisoners, including those for whom the highest degree of security is necessary. Plans are also at an advanced stage for building a second maximum security prison to accommodate 400 prisoners on Lantau Island.

There are three minimum security prisons which can together accommodate 1,456 prisoners. Chi Ma Wan Prison on Lantau Island caters mainly for first offenders serving sentences of under three years. The prisoners are employed on constructive projects such as afforestation, reclamation, draining, building and road works. The two other similar institutions are Pik Uk in the New Territories and Ma Hang near Stanley Prison. Pik Uk opened in January 1975 and it accommodates mainly recidi- vists serving sentences of under 18 months. Ma Hang features a geriatric wing for the more elderly prisoners serving terms of under three years. It also caters for prisoners who have less than 18 months to serve. These prisoners mainly carry out general maintenance work not only at Ma Hang but also outside Stanley Prison.

Ma Po Ping Prison on Lantau Island was built in 1967 and was originally named Tong Fuk Prison. In 1972 its role was changed to that of a drug addiction treatment centre but in May 1975 it reverted back to a prison under its present name. The majority of the 604 inmates are employed inside the prison on carpentry, laundry