Commissioner's Foreword
In 2019, Hong Kong’s society was rife with challenges. During such difficult time, the Correctional Services Department (CSD) remained steadfast in its role as the last element of the criminal justice system. United as one, all our staff rose to challenges, in order to ensure a safe and secure custodial environment for persons in custody.
Penal Population
In 2019, the average daily penal population at correctional facilities was 7,737 persons, representing a decrease of 7 per cent compared with the corresponding figure in 2018. The average occupancy rate was 69 per cent. Among the penal population, 76 per cent were sentenced persons and 24 per cent were remands; 80 per cent were males and 20 per cent were females; 96 per cent were aged 21 or above and 4 per cent were aged under 21; and 67 per cent were locals, 13 per cent were from the Mainland, Taiwan and Macao, and the remaining 20 per cent were from other countries. The CSD also provides statutory supervision for about 1,200 rehabilitated persons after release as at the end of 2019.
In 2019, there were 14,224 new admissions of sentenced persons or remands under the CSD, representing a decrease of 18 per cent over 2018. A total of 128 persons in custody with high security risk (i.e. Category A persons in custody) were newly admitted, representing an increase of 8 per cent over 2018. Among them, 86 per cent had committed drug-related offences and the remaining 14 per cent had committed serious offences like murder and rape. Among the newly admitted Category A persons in custody, 27 per cent were from other countries. As at the end of 2019, the total number of Category A persons in custody was 552 persons, representing an increase of 5 per cent as compared to the corresponding figure in 2018.
In 2019, there were 14,224 new admissions of sentenced persons or remands under the CSD, representing a decrease of 18 per cent over 2018. A total of 128 persons in custody with high security risk (i.e. Category A persons in custody) were newly admitted, representing an increase of 8 per cent over 2018. Among them, 86 per cent had committed drug-related offences and the remaining 14 per cent had committed serious offences like murder and rape. Among the newly admitted Category A persons in custody, 27 per cent were from other countries. As at the end of 2019, the total number of Category A persons in custody was 552 persons, representing an increase of 5 per cent as compared to the corresponding figure in 2018.
Members of Regional Response Teams undergo various tactical training in order to prepare them for emergency incidents in correctional institutions.
Safe Custody
There has been no successful escape case in Hong Kong for 12 years in a row, from 2008 to 2019. In 2019, the CSD conducted a total of 8,686 joint search/special search/night raid operations in institutions, covering 14,300 locations, representing increases of 6 per cent and 11 per cent respectively as compared with the corresponding figures in 2018.
In 2019, there were seven cases of concerted acts of indiscipline occurred in correctional institutions, a decrease of one case over 2018. These cases, which included fighting and inciting other persons in custody to get involved in collective actions, were smaller in scale, with a total of 95 participants involved. Among the participants involved in concerted acts of indiscipline, about 70 per cent had triad backgrounds.
Notwithstanding that there was a reduction in the penal population in 2019 as compared with that in 2018, the number of disciplinary charges against persons in custody remained high at 3,905. The charge of “offending good order and discipline” ranked first, followed by “possession of any unauthorised article”, and these two charges accounted for 31 per cent and 27 per cent of the total number of disciplinary charges respectively. In 2019, there were 2,403 persons in custody subject to disciplinary charges, 331 of them committed three or more disciplinary offences, accounting for 37 per cent of the total number of disciplinary charges.
As for cases involving violent acts, a total of 402 cases were recorded in 2019, mainly involving fighting among persons in custody and assaulting others. Despite a decrease of 17 per cent over 2018, 31 cases were of a more serious nature and were referred to the Police for follow-up, representing an increase of five cases as compared with the corresponding figure in 2018. A total of 20 correctional officers sustained minor injuries while stopping violent acts.
Over the years, the numbers relating to medical escort duties have remained high. The manpower resources deployed for performing medical escort duties increased from approximately 37,000 man days in 2015 to around 38,000 man days in 2018, while the number exceeded 40,000 man days in 2019.
The CSD is committed to stopping the smuggling of drugs into correctional institutions. In 2019, there were 22 cases of seized drugs, including 10 cases of body-cavity concealment of drugs. The majority of the seized drugs were heroin and the cases mainly involved newly admitted persons in custody.
In 2019, there were 44 self-harm cases, representing a decrease of 8 per cent as compared to 48 cases in 2018. The majority of these cases were discovered in time and the persons in custody concerned were successfully rescued by correctional officers. Unfortunately, one person in custody died in 2019 despite rescue effort. The incident was reported to the Police for investigation and a subsequent death inquest was required.
In 2019, there were seven cases of concerted acts of indiscipline occurred in correctional institutions, a decrease of one case over 2018. These cases, which included fighting and inciting other persons in custody to get involved in collective actions, were smaller in scale, with a total of 95 participants involved. Among the participants involved in concerted acts of indiscipline, about 70 per cent had triad backgrounds.
Notwithstanding that there was a reduction in the penal population in 2019 as compared with that in 2018, the number of disciplinary charges against persons in custody remained high at 3,905. The charge of “offending good order and discipline” ranked first, followed by “possession of any unauthorised article”, and these two charges accounted for 31 per cent and 27 per cent of the total number of disciplinary charges respectively. In 2019, there were 2,403 persons in custody subject to disciplinary charges, 331 of them committed three or more disciplinary offences, accounting for 37 per cent of the total number of disciplinary charges.
As for cases involving violent acts, a total of 402 cases were recorded in 2019, mainly involving fighting among persons in custody and assaulting others. Despite a decrease of 17 per cent over 2018, 31 cases were of a more serious nature and were referred to the Police for follow-up, representing an increase of five cases as compared with the corresponding figure in 2018. A total of 20 correctional officers sustained minor injuries while stopping violent acts.
Over the years, the numbers relating to medical escort duties have remained high. The manpower resources deployed for performing medical escort duties increased from approximately 37,000 man days in 2015 to around 38,000 man days in 2018, while the number exceeded 40,000 man days in 2019.
The CSD is committed to stopping the smuggling of drugs into correctional institutions. In 2019, there were 22 cases of seized drugs, including 10 cases of body-cavity concealment of drugs. The majority of the seized drugs were heroin and the cases mainly involved newly admitted persons in custody.
In 2019, there were 44 self-harm cases, representing a decrease of 8 per cent as compared to 48 cases in 2018. The majority of these cases were discovered in time and the persons in custody concerned were successfully rescued by correctional officers. Unfortunately, one person in custody died in 2019 despite rescue effort. The incident was reported to the Police for investigation and a subsequent death inquest was required.
Persons in custody at correctional institutions undergo searches for the purpose of maintaining order and discipline.
Emergency Response Mechanism
The Regional Response Teams were deployed to take part in 42 cases involving providing support for maintaining institutional security, and 401 cases involving high-risk escort duties. To further enhance the CSD’s capability to handle unforeseen incidents, the scale and distribution of the RRTs have been enhanced by extending their coverage from the existing three districts, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Lantau Island, to the New Territories, Hei Ling Chau and individual large-scale correctional institutions such as Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, Stanley Prison and Lo Wu Correctional Institution.
Since November 2019, the Response Team members have been appointed by the Commissioner of Police (CP) as Special Constables for deployment in batches to perform the duties assigned by CP.
Since November 2019, the Response Team members have been appointed by the Commissioner of Police (CP) as Special Constables for deployment in batches to perform the duties assigned by CP.
Industrial Production
As regards the work arrangement for persons in custody, the Department continues to introduce computerised production facilities to boost productivity and enable persons in custody to acquire up-to-date skills and common knowledge.
In 2019, a UV Ink Digital Printer was commissioned at the Sign-making Workshop in Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution, and the previous Fibreglass Workshop in Tong Fuk Correctional Institution was converted into the Garment Making Workshop to produce quilted blankets through the use of a fully automatic digital quilting machine. Moreover, novel 3D scanning, computer-aided design and 3D printing equipment for the design and development of innovative products is planned to be introduced in 2020. Besides, the Department is actively planning for the introduction of a computer-aided robotic welding arm system for the manufacture of metal products.
In 2019, a UV Ink Digital Printer was commissioned at the Sign-making Workshop in Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution, and the previous Fibreglass Workshop in Tong Fuk Correctional Institution was converted into the Garment Making Workshop to produce quilted blankets through the use of a fully automatic digital quilting machine. Moreover, novel 3D scanning, computer-aided design and 3D printing equipment for the design and development of innovative products is planned to be introduced in 2020. Besides, the Department is actively planning for the introduction of a computer-aided robotic welding arm system for the manufacture of metal products.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan is interviewed by young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution.
The Industries and Vocational Training Section arranges persons in custody to attend Car Beauty and Wrapping Course.
Vocational Training
On vocational training, around 40 market-oriented courses, with a total of over 1,400 training places, are organised by the CSD for adult persons in custody in various correctional institutions. In 2019, the CSD co-organised with local training bodies the foundation certificate courses in Car Beauty and Wrapping, Virtual Reality Visual Merchandising and Retail Management, and Virtual Reality Welding. In 2020, the Department plans to organise the foundation certificate courses in Specialty Cakes and Pastries Making, 3D Printing Technology and Virtual Reality Logistics Management. All these courses are organised to help rehabilitated persons find jobs or enrol in bridging or progressive courses in future.
The overall passing rate of vocational training examinations was 98.5 per cent in 2019. The overall employment rate of rehabilitated persons after six months of employment follow-up period upon release was 82.9 per cent.
The overall passing rate of vocational training examinations was 98.5 per cent in 2019. The overall employment rate of rehabilitated persons after six months of employment follow-up period upon release was 82.9 per cent.
The Department launched the Prisoner Entrepreneurship Pilot Programme at Stanley Prison in 2019. Persons in custody who won the scheme can learn to be an entrepreneur after release.
During the “Own Your Life” musical drama campaign, a rehabilitated offender tells students the heavy price paid for committing crime.
The Department has been proactively promoting community education in recent years. Through Rehabilitation Pioneer Project, Student Forums and other diverse activities are held.
The Department and Hong Kong Rugby Union co-organises the Touch Rugby Referee Training elementary course at Pik Uk Correctional Institution, which aims to enable young persons in custody to learn to judge right and wrong.
Education
The overall passing rate of public examinations was 62.5 per cent in 2019. Two young persons in custody were successfully admitted to bachelor’s degree programmes. Moreover, five adult persons in custody were awarded bachelor’s degrees and one was awarded a master’s degree. In 2020, the Department will continue to incorporate elements of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education into the courses for young persons in custody and promote adult education courses.
The Department holds a family sports day “Fly High With Me” at Cape Collinson Correctional Institution. Hong Kong triathlon athletes Mr Abraham Kok and Ms Tsang Ka-hung are invited to participate in the competition with young persons in custody.
The Department holds a “Storytelling Programme” at Lo Wu Correctional Institution, which aims to enable mother persons in custody to learn the skill of storytelling. Four audio books have been produced.
Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain satisfactory results in various public examinations.
VR Welding Course conducted at Stanley Prison opens up a new learning mode for persons in custody.
Community Education
On community education, the implementation of community education activities by the CSD was affected by the social events in the second half of 2019, with reductions in both the scale of activities and number of participants over 2018. The number of youth participants in various activities declined from 44,876 in 2018 to 38,911 in 2019, while the number of activities organised was reduced from 559 in 2018 to 454 in 2019.
Besides, the CSD established a uniformed group named Rehabilitation Pioneer Leaders in 2018 to nurture young people’s leadership skills, encourage them to contribute to society, and promote law-abiding and inclusive values. In 2019, additional sub-groups of “Island District” and “Kowloon and the New Territories District” were established. So far, a total of 105 trainee leaders including seven non-Chinese have been recruited. Subject to availability of resources, the Department will continue to establish sub-groups in other districts.
Besides, the CSD established a uniformed group named Rehabilitation Pioneer Leaders in 2018 to nurture young people’s leadership skills, encourage them to contribute to society, and promote law-abiding and inclusive values. In 2019, additional sub-groups of “Island District” and “Kowloon and the New Territories District” were established. So far, a total of 105 trainee leaders including seven non-Chinese have been recruited. Subject to availability of resources, the Department will continue to establish sub-groups in other districts.
Mr Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Education, attends the kick-off ceremony of “Own Your Life” musical drama campaign.
Recidivism Rate
The recidivism rate (i.e. the percentage of re-admission of local sentenced persons to correctional institutions following conviction of a new offence within two years after discharge) was 24.8 per cent in the discharge year of 2017, the same as that in 2016.
Human Resources
The CSD remains in the peak period of staff wastage. A year-round recruitment was commenced in February 2018. In 2018-19, a total of 63 Officers and 234 Assistant Officers II were recruited. It is expected that in 2019-20, around 50 Officers will be recruited, and for Assistant Officers II, around 310 will be recruited through year-round recruitment to fill the existing vacancies.
Staff Training Institute of the Department holds a passing-out parade.
Mr Woo Ying-ming, Commissioner of Correctional Services, congratulates passing-out graduates.
After the passing-out parade, graduates celebrate the successful completion of the training.
The Department organises various sports activities for staff members to foster their team spirit.
Development of Smart Prison
Since the announcement of the development of the “Smart Prison” protocol in 2019, tremendous efforts have been made under the four major system categories, namely the “Security and Monitoring System”, the “Operation and Management System”, the “Person In Custody Self-management System” and the “Staff Capacity Enhancement System”. Relevant technology systems have been progressively introduced to individual institutions for trial runs. Through close collaboration with government departments such as the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the first generation of “Smart Prison” is expected to come into operation in Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution in 2020.
“Persons In Custody Self-learning System” introduced on a trial basis at Stanley Prison enables persons in custody to foster interest in reading and develop a reading habit.
Correctional Services Department Headquarters Building
The Department plans to construct the Correctional Services Department Headquarters Building at Shing Tai Road, Chai Wan to enhance operational efficiency and facilitate future development. We plan to seek funding approval from the Public Works Subcommittee and the Finance Committee within the current legislative session.
100Th Anniversary of The CSD
To the CSD, 2020 is a very special and significant year. It has been a hundred years since we became independent from the Police Force in 1920. Over the past century, the correctional system in Hong Kong has been evolving to keep pace with the development of our society, from focusing on safe custody to placing a dual emphasis on custodial and rehabilitation services. In recent years, we have proactively extended our scope of work to cover community education. To celebrate the centennial anniversary, the CSD plans to join hands with various sectors of the community to organise a series of celebration events under the theme of “A Century of Corrections Connecting a Smart Future”. The CSD hopes that these events could enable members of the public to gain a better understanding of our work, and promote anti-crime messages to the community.
Over the years, community stakeholders and organisations from different sectors have been rendering great support to the CSD. The Department would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to all correctional officers and various sectors of the community for their unfailing support. The CSD also calls on the public to continue to support and accept rehabilitated persons, since public support is indispensable for their return to the right track. Together, we can build a better Hong Kong.
Over the years, community stakeholders and organisations from different sectors have been rendering great support to the CSD. The Department would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to all correctional officers and various sectors of the community for their unfailing support. The CSD also calls on the public to continue to support and accept rehabilitated persons, since public support is indispensable for their return to the right track. Together, we can build a better Hong Kong.
“Robotic Monitoring System” has been put into trial run at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to supplement correctional officers’ patrols in night shifts.
