ENG-2010 — Page 400

338 Public Order

Correctional Facilities

The CSD manages 10 correctional institutions of different security grading for adult males and two correctional institutions for adult females. For young male offenders, the department operates one correctional institution, one training centre, two rehabilitation centres and one detention centre. Young females are accommodated at one correctional institution and two rehabilitation centres. Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre, Lai Sun Correctional Institution and Nei Kwu Correctional Institution accommodate convicted drug addicts. Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre is a specific correctional facility which separately houses male and female offenders of all categories who require psychiatric observation, treatment or assessment. Among the above, six correctional facilities cater for remanded males and females of different age groups. Each penal institution normally has dormitories, kitchens, dining rooms, laundries, workshops, areas for exercise and recreation, a library and a hospital. CSD also manages two custodial wards in public hospitals for persons in custody who require intensive medical care or surgical operations.

In addition, CSD operates three halfway houses to help offenders, who are released under supervision, to reintegrate into society. The residents may go out to work or attend school during daytime.

Penal Population

The penal population in 2010 decreased slightly compared with 2009. While overcrowding still existed in some institutions, the average occupancy rate of all penal institutions was 91 per cent.

During the year, 13 794 adults, comprising 9 108 men and 4 686 women, were sentenced to prison and 7 258 adults (5 423 men and 1 835 women) on remand were taken into custody. The number of young offenders sentenced to imprisonment totalled 551, comprising 345 males and 206 females, and 707 young persons on remand (605 males and 102 females) were taken into custody. In addition, 527 young offenders (452 males and 75 females) were sentenced to detention in training centres, rehabilitation centres or the detention centre, and 1 359 offenders (1 082 males and 277 females) were placed in drug addiction treatment centres; while 2 923 offenders (2 482 males and 441 females) were remanded pending reports on their suitability for sentencing to one of these centres.

The CSD has been looking for opportunities to improve correctional facilities, update ageing institutions and relieve the overcrowding problem in some institutions. The redeveloped Lo Wu Correctional Institution commenced operation in July 2010 providing 1 400 penal places for females and rehabilitation facilities that are more suited to today's needs. Its opening has significantly improved overcrowding in female institutions. The vacated Lai Chi Kok Correctional Institution will also be converted into an annex facility of the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to alleviate the overcrowding problem of the latter. The department will continue to explore other redevelopment projects and improvement works. For example, it plans to redevelop the Tai Lam Centre for Women and the institutions in the Chi Ma Wan area.