Mock-up visit facilitates staff involvement in LWCI redevelopment project

Some 40 staff representatives were arranged to visit the site mock-up of Lo Wu Correctional Institution (LWCI) redevelopment project on August 7.

They were from Correctional Services Officers' Association, Hong Kong Correctional Services General Union, Hong Kong Correctional Services Department Assistant Officers General Association and Hong Kong Correctional Services Department Female Institutions Assistant Officers Association.

During the visit, staff representatives were briefed on the project planning and the blueprint of new Lo Wu prison cluster by Mr Edwin Wong Kuo-yang, Project Manager of the Architectural Services Department. Then they toured two mock-up buildings which included prisoners' dormitory and cell, dayroom, workshop, visiting booth and staff's duty room.

Superintendent (LWCI Redevelopment Project) Lai Ting-bong said the visit not only enhanced staff's understanding on the progress of the construction works and penal facilities, but also served as a platform canvassing different opinions on facilities of new prison cluster to meet future operational needs.

Same visits were also arranged for the Directorate, heads of institutions and delegates of the Security Bureau in late July and early August to collect their views.

With a view to alleviating prison overcrowding and meeting the demand for modern penal facilities, the Department started works to redevelop LWCI in April 2007. The redevelopment project will convert the old site into three institutions with a total capacity of 1 400 penal places. Construction is expected to complete in early 2010.