• 11/11/2024

Hong Kong correctional officers target ‘illicit food transaction’ as some prisoners resist

Hong Kong Free Press

CSD activities

Hong Kong authorities have targeted what they described as “illicit food transaction” in Tai Lam Correctional Institution, a minimum security institution for male adult prisoners.

Correctional Services Department, CSD
The Correctional Services Department launched an operation to combat illicit activities of persons in custody at Tung Tau Correctional Institution on December 9, 2021. Photo shows members of the Regional Response Team and the Dog Unit being deployed as backup at Tung Tau Correctional Institution. Photo: GovHK.

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) said in a press release on Thursday night that it had found two inmates involved in “illicit food transaction activities” in the dinning hall of the institution on around 8 am that morning.

CSD staff took disciplinary action against the prisoners, while six prisoners “expressed support and acted collectively against” the correctional officers, CSD said. The six prisoners were removed for separate investigation.

CSD, Correctional Services Department
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) launched an operation to combat illicit activities at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre on July 29 2020. Photo shows CSD-deployed reinforcements at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre. Photo: GovHK.

CSD deployed more staff to the correctional institution to search for other prisoners who showed support for the two prisoners accused of improper activities.

“[Eleven] other persons in custody who were suspected of [being involved] in the aforementioned activities and possession of unauthorised articles were removed from associating with others for investigation,” CSD said, making a total of 17 prisoners isolated for further investigation.

The department did not elaborate on what was meant by “illicit food transaction.”

Prison rules

According to Article 23 and Article 61 of the Prison Rules, prisoners are guilty of an offence against prison discipline if they possess anything they are not authorised to have, or a greater quantity of than they are allowed to have, or gives to or receives “from any person any article” without permission.

Correctional Services Department, CSD
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) launched an operation to combat illicit activities at Tai Lam Correctional Institution today on March 26, 2020. Photo shows the deployment of CSD reinforcements at the institution to conduct a surprise search on target persons in custody. Photo: GovHK.

Shiu Ka-chun, former pro-democracy lawmaker, told Hong Kong Economic Journal in 2021 that the above regulations were too broad, meaning they could be abused by CSD.

Shiu served eight months in jail in 2019 over his participation in the Umbrella Movement. He said he was put in solitary confinement for three days while in custody due to receiving and eating a meat ball from another prisoner.

Support HKFP  |  Policies & Ethics  |  Error/typo?  |  Contact Us  |  Newsletter  | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps

TRUST PROJECT HKFP
SOPA HKFP
IPI HKFP

Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team

contribute to hkfp methods
tote bag support

Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/02/16/hong-kong-correctional-officers-target-illicit-food-transaction-as-some-prisoners-resist/