The Correctional Services Department[3] (CSD) is responsible for the management of prisoners and prisons in Hong Kong. The Commissioner of Correctional Services reports to the Secretary for Security.
Although the Chief Magistrate (now Commissioner of Police) was given control over prisons in 1841, the legislation to create the department did not come into being until 1853. CSD was part of the Hong Kong Police Force until 1879 when the role of Superintendent of Victoria Gaol was created. The department has been financially independent from the Hong Kong Police Force since December 1920, when the Superintendent of Victoria Gaol was re-titled as the Superintendent of Prisons.[4][5][6][7][8]
History
In February 2021, it was reported that the CSD had worked with the Security Bureau to reduce "collusion" between foreign governments and those in custody. The CSD began to ask those in custody to produce both their HKID and foreign passports, or else consulate staff would not be allowed to assist them. In addition, for those in custody who may have broken the national security law, they would be required to sign an oath to declare their nationalities. The Canadian government revealed that a prisoner with a Canadian passport was forced to choose a nationality on 18 January 2021.[9] A spokesperson for the United States said that there were now "deep concerns that this new Hong Kong policy will compel people to declare their citizenship under duress and without an opportunity to understand the full implications of the declaration."[9] In response, the CSD declined to comment.[9]
Also in February 2021, commissioner Woo Ying-ming claimed that some people were becoming prisoners for the glorification of being imprisoned for political reasons, and also said that district councillors would be restricted from visiting prisoners unless they give a "valid reason."[10]
In March 2021, Apple Daily reported that sources told the newspaper that the CSD's "secret unit" handled the detention of Andy Li, who was arrested for attempting to flee to Taiwan.[11]
In July 2023, 7 CSD officers were arrested, with allegations that they had gang raped a woman.[12]
In January 2024, the CSD claimed that reports of a man being arrested in 2022 for sexual assaults in prison was "baseless," but several days later, Hong Kong police confirmed the report.[13]
Ranks
As with all of the Hong Kong Disciplined Services, British-pattern rank insignia continue to be utilised, with the only change being the replacement of the St. Edward's Crown by the Bauhinia flower crest in 1997.[14]
Commissioner of Correctional Services (similar insignia to a UK General)
CSD runs 28 facilities across Hong Kong ranging from maximum security prisons to rehabilitation centres. Facilities have different purposes, including training centres, detention centres, rehabilitation centres, and drug addiction treatment centres.[16]
As of 2018[update] there was a daily average of 8,310 prisoners in the Hong Kong prison system. The prisons had an occupancy rate of 81.6 per cent, while training, detention, rehabilitation, and drug addiction treatment centres had an occupancy rate of 30.8 per cent.[1]
Reading materials
As of 2018[update] there were about 100,000 books in the prison libraries; the percentages by language were 83% Chinese, 10% English, and 7% not in Chinese nor English. Prison authorities stated that they did not wish to buy too many books of non-official language to ensure the security of the prisons; Legco member Shiu Ka-chun criticised this rationale.[17]
Ethics College
On 30 November 2023, Ethics College opened in Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution, with its establishment sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and teachers and teaching materials provided by Hong Kong Metropolitan University. The first batch of students comprised 75 inmates, 60 male and 15 female – the latter joining remotely from Lo Wu Correctional Institution – who enrolled in a one-year course for an applied education diploma.[18] Among them was Tong Ying-kit, the first person sentenced under the Hong Kong National Security Law. The first graduation ceremony was held in August 2024.[19]
Crest
Badge of the Correctional Service Department before 1 July 1997.
The current crest of the force was adopted in 1997 to replace most of the colonial symbols:[20]
Replacement of the Royal cypher by a Compass rose, with the words "Correctional Services 懲教署" circling it
Addition of a laurel wreath bearing the words "Correctional Services Hong Kong"
Staff associations
Hong Kong Correctional Services General Union
Correctional Services Officers' Association
Hong Kong Correctional Services Department Assistant Officers General Association
Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants' Association Correctional Services Department Branch
The Association for the Retired Staff of the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department
CSD in popular media
TVB drama series Tomorrow Is Another Day was filmed with the full co-operation of the CSD who allowed the film crew to film and access to Stanley and other prisons.
2017 Independent Movie With Prisoners [zh] (同囚) was filmed as a story about prisoners being tortured inhumanly in Sha Tsui Correctional Institution. A claim that the film was based on real events was later retracted.
References
Flag of the Correctional Service Department before 1 July 1997.
