HONG KONG
PRICE: $2.50
ANNUAL
DEPARTMENTAL
REPORTS
1956-57
COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS
HONG KONG
ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL REPORT
BY THE
COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR 1956 - 57
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY S. YOUNG, ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER,
AT THE GOVERNMENT PRESS,
JAVA ROAD, HONG KONG
X
M. PRISONS ER
H.M.
HONG
ONG
"THE mood and temper of the public with regard to the treat- ment of crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilization of any country.
"A calm, dispassionate recognition of the rights of the accused, and even of the convicted criminal against the state— a constant heart-searching by all charged with the duty of punishment-a desire and an eagerness to rehabilitate in the world of industry those who have paid their due in the hard coinage of punishment; tireless efforts toward the discovery of curative and regenerative processes; unfailing faith that there is treasure, if you can only find it, in the heart of every man.
"These are the symbols which, in the treatment of crime and the criminal, mark and measure the stored up strength of a nation and are a sign and proof of the living virtue in it."
Winston Churchill, 1910.
CONTENTS
I. GENERAL REVIEW
II. STAFF
Personnel
Recruiting
Statistics
Training
Section 1
Paragraphs
1
6
7 - 10
11 - 12
13 20
-
21 23
w
24 - 25
Hours of Work
Rates of Pay
26
Health and Welfare
27 - 32
III. BUILDINGS
33 - 40
IV. POPULATION
41
44
V. SENTENCES
VI. RECIDIVISM
VII. WOMEN PRISONERS
VIII. YOUNG PRISONERS
45
46
47
48
IX. PERSONS ON REMAND
49
X. CLASSIFICATION
50 - 51
XI. SPIRITUAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION
52 - 53
XII. GENERAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION
XIII. HEALTH AND DIET
i
54 - 55
56 - 57
CONTENTS-Contd.
Paragraphs
XIV. LUNATICS
58
XV. LABOUR
59 64
XVI. INSPECTIONS AND VISITS
65 - 69
XVII. DISCIPLINE
70 - 72
Corporal Punishment
73
74
XVIII. ESCAPES
75
80
XIX. EXECUTIONS
81
XX. REMISSION
82
83
XXI. AFTER-CARE
84
85
XXII. PROBATION
XXIII. FINANCIAL
86
87 - 89
Section 2
Other Institutions
STANLEY TRAINING CENTRE
90.
95
TUNG TAU WAN TRAINING CENTRE
96 - 101
ANNEX I
ANNEX II
ANNEX III
ANNEX IIIA
ANNEX IIIB
ANNEX IIIC
ANNEX IIID
ANNEX IIIE
SECTION 1
I- GENERAL REVIEW
THE outstanding event of the year has been the opening of H.M. Prison, Chimawan. This is on Lantao, a very big and largely undeveloped island. The institution was built in 1955 as a Home for the Disabled and was intended to house up to 1,000 disabled persons, including families. When the institu- tion was taken over by this Department on December 3rd, 1956 there were only 270 disabled there, and the Social Welfare Officer was finding the Home difficult to administer because of its distance from Hong Kong proper. Other quarters were
found for the disabled, and the Shap Long Home became H.M. Prison, Chimawan, the latter being the name of the bay on which it stands-"Chimawan" means "Sesame Seed Bay", a not inappropriate name for an open prison. A description of the buildings will be found in paragraph 34.
2. Work was completed on the conversion of the former Government Printing Shop at Victoria Prison into a reception and classification centre, with separate rooms for interviews with the Superintendent, the Medical Officer, friends and legal advisers. This has greatly improved conditions for the hard- pressed reception staff, who were previously working in very cramped offices in the old prison.
-
3. Prison Rules were amended to make it possible for the Commissioner to grant home leave up to five days at a time for prisoners in the last six months of a sentence of four years and over. Home leave began in March 1957 and up to March 31st 21 prisoners had been given home leave. Stanley before the expiration of their passes. an invaluable opportunity for a prisoner to readjust himself to normal life after a long period of institutional treatment, to restore family relationships and to seek employment.
All returned to Home leave gives
4. The Stanley Training Centre quarters were nearing com- pletion at the end of the year, and rebuilding of the old Victoria Prison quarters is an approved project for 1957/58. These
1
.
projects, together with the building of two small houses for senior officers at Chimawan, will go far to ensure that the whole staff are decently housed.
5. In the year under review the average daily prison popula- tion was 3,617, the estimated population of the Colony being 2,535,000.
The Kowloon Riots.
6. The riots in October 1956 threw a sudden and unexpected strain on the already overcrowded prisons. The chief anxiety in this department during the riots was for Lai Chi Kok women's prison, which for a whole day was cut off from relief.
As soon as news of the riots became known, Victoria Prison was cleared by transfers to Stanley and made ready to receive large numbers of persons arrested. Within a few days over 1,300 curfew-breakers were passed through Victoria and out to Stanley, which was then crowded far beyond reasonable capacity. The preparations made at short notice, however, had been so thorough that there was no dislocation, and not a day's work was lost in the workshops at Stanley. This trying time proved not only the efficiency and devotion to duty of the staff, but the flexibility of the present organization of the department. The majority of the curfew-breakers had sentences of six weeks or less and the more serious cases came to trial some time later. These latter cases involved some of the worst elements in the Colony, including triad society leaders, who had to be absorbed into the prison population. The last quarter of the year under review has thus been a period of considerable anxiety, but thanks to the steadiness of the staff there has been no break- down in discipline and no interference with the normal training programme.
Personnel.
II - STAFF
7. In August 1956, duties at Stanley were reorganized in such a manner as to place a Principal Officer directly in charge of each hall and party; previously Principal Officers had been in charge of large and ill-defined sections of the prison. Even without overcrowding each of the six main halls at Stanley holds 240 prisoners, a number equalling the total muster of many prisons in other places. The number of Principal Officer
2
posts was increased from 13 to 22 to achieve this, and together with the necessity for filling senior posts at Chimawan this change gave rise to a record number of promotions, which for all ranks totalled 71 during the year. It is satisfactory to record that a suitable candidate for every post, including gazetted ranks, was found from the existing staff-another indication of their high quality.
8. For H.M. Prison, Chimawan, the following establishment was provided:
1 Superintendent.
1 Chief Officer.
8 Principal Officers and Prison Officers.
2 Principal Warders.
4 Assistant Principal Warders.
60 Warders.
2 Hospital Dressers.
5 Clerks.
1 Office Attendant.
1 Messenger.
3 Coolies.
The burden of supplying the 60 warders fell on Stanley Prison, which is also the training school, so that this prison now has an abnormally high percentage of recruits.
9. Mr. R. S. Rosen and Mr. G. V. McGrath were promoted from Chief Officer to Superintendent.
Mr. C. T. F. McDonald was promoted from Assistant Chief Officer to Chief Officer.
Mr. E. M. Gemmell was promoted from Principal Officer to Chief Officer.
10. The staff have done splendid work, often under conditions of great difficulty, and I wish to record my thanks to all ranks for making this a most successful and significant year in the history of the Department.
Recruiting.
11. No expatriate officer was appointed during the year. All Prison Officer vacancies, and many Principal Officer promo- tions, were filled by the promotion of either expatriate Pakistanis (of whom only 37 remain) or of local men.
3.
12. All vacancies for warders were filled by local men, after advertisement and with the advice of the Public Services Com- mission.
Statistics.
13. The following Tables show particulars of service, strength, casualties, staff changes and offences.
14. The length of service in years and the actual strength of the discipline staff of March 31st, 1957 is shown hereunder:
Service in years and strength of staff:
20 and
over
Under
10 - 20
3 - 10
Total
3
Gazetted Officers
4
сл
5
2
11
Expatriate Officers
3
10
22
4
39
Non-expatriate Officers
8
28
2
38
Expatriate other ranks
12
18
I
31
Non-expatriate other ranks
6
224
137
367
Female Staff
8
2
18
8.
36
Total
27
49
295
151
522
15. The staff on March 31st, 1957 consisted of:
Gazetted Officers-
Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner
Superintendents
Chief Officers
Officers-in-Charge, Training Centres
1
1
3
2
11
Total
Others.
Expatriate Officers
39
Non-expatriate Officers
38
Expatriate other ranks
31
Non-expatriate other ranks
367
Women staff
36
Total
511
4
Executive Officer
Clerks
Assistant Masters
Schoolmasters
Master Tailor
Workshop Instructors
Trade Instructors
Telephone Operators
After-Care Officer
Storekeeper
Installation Mechanics & Fitter
Office Attendants, Messengers, & Coolies Women Cleaners
1927-62
40
3
1
1
3
39
4
Total
119
16. There were 62 casualties and staff changes during the year, accounted for as follows:-
Expatriate Officer
Non- expatriate Officer
Expatriate other rank
Non- expatriate other rank
Female Civilian
staff employee
Total
Deaths....
Dismissals &
terminations.
1
1
Pensioned.....
Resignations
& transfers..
1
1
1
1
2
18
1
20
2
2
5
25
3
5
35
Total
3
1
2
4.4
3
9
62
17. Comparative figures for casualties and staff changes in previous years are:-
1953-54
1954-55
1955 - 56
1956-57
18.
63
56
38
62
The following table shows offences per head with figures
for the last three years:
1953-54 1954-55 1955 - 56 1956-57
Strength.
Offences. Per head.
445
271
.61
540
297
.55
549
239
.44
630
346
.55
10:
5
19.
The staff were awarded 346 punishments as follows:
Expatriate Officer
Non- expatriate Officer
Expatriate other rank
Non- expatriate other rank
Female Civilian. staff employee
Total
Reprimanded
8
4
1
41
5
59
Severely
reprimanded
6
10
2
1.8
To perform
extra duty
8
1
9
Fined $1 5
-
11
13
6
111
7
148
Fined $6 10
►
3
3
1
39
2
48
Fined $11-20
5
5
44
54
Fined $21 30
·
5
7
Reduction in
rank....
Dismissal......
Service
terminated...
}
3
Total......
33
25
8
261
19
346
20. The offences were:--
Absent from duty
Asleep on duty
Failing to comply with order
Failing to exercise proper care and vigilance on
Lounging and smoking when on night duty
duty
Neglect of duty
Late for duty
of uniforms, etc.)
Losing or damaging Government property (articles
Possession of prohibited articles
Improperly dressed
Insolence and misconduct
Stating a falsehood
Using unnecessary force toward prisoners
Familiarity with prisoners
Failing to make a true return of a mess account
Gambling
Dirty and slovenliness
Total
6
CO DT:
346
60
20
29
84
73
11
45
1
Training.
21. Courses in First Aid, Judo, use of arms (including tear smoke) and foot drill are a regular feature, and are continued in the form of refresher courses throughout an officer's career.
22. It has not been necessary to use either firearms or tear smoke in earnest, but experience in practice with the latter has shown the gas gun, firing shells, to be dangerous in enclosed spaces; also the shells deteriorate more rapidly than grenades. It has therefore been decided to order tear-smoke grenades only.
23. Warder recruits are given an intensive training course at the school at Stanley.
Hours of Work.
24. The discipline staff work 76 hours a fortnight and are given a full Sunday and a full Saturday off during that period. At the two main prisons a "Centre Division" was introduced, to include all trade instructors and officers working special hours who do not parade with the normal divisions. This ensures regularity and the proper inspection of the increasing number of specialist officers.
25. Clerical staff work in accordance with Government office hours.
Rates of Pay.
26. The rates of pay are the same as for comparable grades in the Police Force. In the case of trade instructors and other specialists, rates of pay are in accordance with the model scales for posts occupied by skilled men in other departments.
Health and Welfare.
27. There was a total of 1,453 staff sick reports and 965 days sick leave were given.
28.
The Prison Officers' Club at Stanley underwent a com- plete transformation. The bar was removed from the main to a smaller room which was refurnished and air- conditioned. The name of the Club was changed to The Stanley Club. The effect of the changes has been that not only do the
room
7
officers use the Club more than ever before, but that a large number of Associate Members from outside the Department has been attracted to the Club. It has now become a social centre for the Stanley area.
29. The Prisons Department Sports Association is in a very strong financial position. A clubroom has been opened at the new prison at Chimawan for which new furniture and games equipment were provided. The Annual Sports Meeting was held in September.
30. The annual Autumn Fair, sponsored by the Sports Association, was honoured for the first time this year by the presence of His Excellency the Governor, who is Patron of the Association, and of Lady Grantham, who opened the Fair.
31. There is a Welfare Fund which is available for many purposes, including the grant of interest-free loans in cases of need.
32. No aspect of staff welfare is neglected by the senior officers, who are constantly alive to the importance of this part of their work.
III - BUILDINGS
33. Stanley Prison was completed in 1937. It is a beauti- fully laid-out institution of the maximum-security type. The large open spaces within the walls and the well-designed cell blocks give an impression of light and air unusual in a prison. The prison is designed to hold 1,760 prisoners in single cells. It is still overcrowded despite the opening of Chimawan, but all prisoners with sentences of over one year are now in separate cells.
34. Chimawan Prison was designed as a Home for the Disabled and consists of ten two-storey dormitory blocks, with kitchens, laundry and other essential services. Four of the blocks are in use as warders' quarters, administrative offices and stores, leaving room for 600 prisoners in the remaining blocks, fifty to a floor on double-decker bunks. The physical security is nil, as all windows are open at night and there is no surrounding wall or fence. Quarters for subordinate staff are
8
satisfactory, but those for senior officers are inadequate, and approval for houses for the Superintendent and Chief Officer has been sought in the departmental building programme sub- mitted to Government.
35. The completion of the conversion of the former Govern- ment Printing Shop at Victoria Prison has provided dormitory space for 200 prisoners serving very short sentences, on the upper floor.
The ground floor is the Reception and Classifica- tion Centre. The demolition of the century-old main block and the building of a modern Remand Prison has been recommended to Government.
36. Lai Chi Kok Prison is on the mainland; its removal to a new minimum-security institution on the island which has been approved in principle has high priority in the departmental programme. During the year the old wood-burning kitchen was completely reconstructed and pressure kerosene cookers were installed.
37. Stanley Training Centre has a fine site between Stanley and Tai Tam bays. New quarters for the staff were almost completed by the end of the year. When the staff move out of their present hut it will be converted into additional workshop and classroom space.
38. Tung Tau Wan Training Centre overlooks Tai Tam Bay. The buildings are single-storey huts built for food storage before the Pacific War. The installation of flush latrines and septic tank drainage was completed during the year.
Chimawan
39. Lighting is electric in all institutions. Prison has had to depend on kerosene pressure lamps, but at the time of writing this report an electric generator has been installed and the electricity company have promised mains supply within six months.
40. Sanitation is by the bucket system at Stanley and Victoria Prisons, but in both prisons there is a flush system for disposal. At Chimawan Prison, Lai Chi Kok Prison, Stanley Training Centre and Tung Tau Wan Training Centre there are flush latrines.
9
IV - POPULATION
41. The statistical table (Annex I) gives particulars of committals to prison, length of sentences and previous convic- tions. It also shows figures of population, accommodation, sickness, death and age groups.
42. A comparative table of admissions is shown below:
Period
Total admissions
to prison
No. admitted
to serve sentences
No. of sen- tences under
a month
Daily average population
1953-54
18,929
16,016
6,966
3,636
1954-55 .......
16,244
13,629
6,372
2,766
1955 - 56.....
20,143
17,312
5,553
2,851
1956-57
23,965
20,470
6,320
3,617
43. The estimated population of the Colony at the end of 1956 was 2,535,000, which is taken to be the average population for the period under review. Basing calculations on this figure, 807.5 persons per 100,000 of the population were sentenced to imprisonment, an increase on the previous year, during which 721.3 persons per 100,000 were sentenced to imprisonment.
44. The race and religion of persons who were committed to serve sentences of imprisonment during the year were as follows:
Race
Christian
Buddhist
Moham- medan
Traditional Chinese Worship
Total
European
51
51
Chinese
2,795
79
10
17,527
20,411
Indian
H
1.
7
8
Total
2,846
80
17
17,527
20,470
10
}
45.
V - SENTENCES
The offences which resulted in imprisonment are classi-
fied as follows:
Group
Males
Females
Total
Without In lieu of
option
Without
In lieu of
fine
option
fine
1. Against the person :-
(a) With violence
(b) Without violence...
279
36
3
150
57
5
47
322 219
2. Against property :--
(a) With violence
239
11
Nil
Nil
250
(b) Without violence...
3,700
43
96
12
3,851
3.
Sex offences, Prostitution &
Living on proceeds
34
16
39
340
429
4.
Breach of Police Supervision
Order
179
8
Nil
Nil
187
5. Breach of Deportation
Orders, with or without
other offences
290
7
28
Nil
325
6. Breach of Expulsion Orders,
with or without other
offences
49
35
2
Nil
86
7.
Breach of Curfew Order
1,118
93
Nil
Nil
1,211
8. Hawking without licence,
obstruction, public mischief,
etc.
156
139
Nil
2
297
9. Riot and unlawful assembly..
176
Nil
1
Nil
177
10. Breach of by-laws........
649
996
Nil
7
1,652
11. Drugs (opium etc.) offences...
2,993
6,078
132
203
9,406
12. Keeping brothels
1
Nil
2
6
13. Society offences......
66
3
1
1
71
14.
Possession of arms etc.
55
6
Nil
Nil
61
15. Begging etc.....
270
11
25
3
309
16. Passport Ordinance
Nil
Nil
18
44
62
17.
Illegal entry offences
35
1
Nil
Nil
36
18.
Miscellaneous
209
1,006
29
115
1,359
19. Attempts to commit crimes...
133
3
I
Nil
137
20. Murder :-
(a) Death sentence
9
Nil
Nil
Nil
9
(b) Life sentence
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
(c) Guilty but insane
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
21. Manslaughter.
3
Nil
Nil
Nil
3
Total
10,795
8,549
382
744
20,470
11
The number of persons committed to prison in default of payment of fines was 9,293 representing 45.4 per cent of the prison population. 1,052 persons subsequently paid their fines.
VI RECIDIVISM
The following are the figures for the year under
46. review:-
Male
Female
Total
Total number of prisoners received
19,344
1,126
20,470
Number classified as recidivists
4.136
40
4,176
VII -- WOMEN PRISONERS
47. Lai Chi Kok Prison holds both remand and convicted women prisoners, in separate accommodation. No woman prisoner ever enters a male prison. The women prisoners live in dormitories and work and take their meals in association, but long-term Star Class prisoners have separate rooms.
VIII YOUNG PRISONERS
48. Few young prisoners (under 21) are now received, the Training Centres serving their intended purpose of keeping the great majority of this category out of prison. When young prisoners are received special arrangements are made to ensure that they are not put in association with adults.
IX - PERSONS ON REMAND
49. All male persons on remand are kept at Victoria Prison and are segregated from convicted prisoners. As Victoria Prison is in the central district visits from relatives and legal advisers are an easy matter.
X CLASSIFICATION
50. The following are the classifications in use:-
Stars (first offenders, or those whom it is thought advisable to
treat as such).
Ordinaries (recidivists, or those whose character and background
are such that they cannot be treated as Stars).
Young Prisoners.
12
51. These groups are subdivided into Long Term (sentences of one year and over) and Short Term (sentences of under one year).
XI · SPIRITUAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION
52. During the year a room in Stanley Prison was converted for use as a chapel. The furniture, including the altar, was made by prisoners and the backcloth, carpet and other fittings were presented by officers. The chapel was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. R. O. Hall, Bishop of Hong Kong, on 25th October, 1956. 53. Regular services were held by the chaplains, and in addition the missionary societies sent many workers.
XII
GENERAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION
54. Educational classes are held for long-term Star Class prisoners at Stanley. Shortage of teaching staff and the difficulty of persuading voluntary teachers to make the journey out to Stanley prevent the extension of this work, but the senior schoolmaster of the department now gives his whole time to it. 55. Prisoners have freedom of access to senior officers with- out intermediaries at all times, and welfare matters are taken up immediately and if necessary referred to the Social Welfare Officer.
XIII. HEALTH AND DIET
56. The reports of the Medical Officers are attached (Annexes III, IIIA, IIIB, IIIC, IIID & IIIE). General health in all institutions has been good and there were no epidemics.
57. Diet scales are laid down by the Governor in Council on the advice of the Director of Medical and Health Services, and food is well prepared and cooked.
XIV - LUNATICS
58. No person who is insane, or who in the opinion of the Medical Officer shows signs of derangement, is kept in any prison.
XV — LABOUR
59. All long-term prisoners are employed in the industrial workshops. Rattan and bamboo ware making has for some years been the backbone of these industries, but unfortunately these trades offer little scope for employment outside, most
13
rattan firms being small family businesses. A policy is now being followed of a gradual changeover to more skilled work such as tailoring and tinsmithing, where the prospects of employment are better.
60. The following new machinery was received during the year:-
Tinsmiths Shop.
(1) 1 Hydraulic Press.
(2) 1 Pipe Bending Machine.
(3) 1 Welding Transformer.
Carpenters Shop.
(1) 1 Sanding Machine and Dust Collector.
Tailors Shop.
(1) 60 "Singer" Sewing Machines.
Shoemakers Shop.
(1) 1 Welt Sewing Machine.
61. The following industries showed an increase in produc-
tion:
Work Done for Prisons Department.""
Tailoring
162.87%
Tinsmithing
57.48%
Work Done for other Government Departments.
Tailoring
28.16%
23.29%
65.26%
62.
Shoemaking Laundry
All prisoners serving more than fourteen days participate in the Earnings Scheme and Canteen.
63. The first prisoners to be sent to Chimawan were all Star Class men serving a sentence of between one month and one year and specially selected for open prison treatment. There is a great deal of work to be done in and around the prison itself, but no time was lost in making a start on forestry work. So far the following work has been done in Shap Long forestry reservation: ----
Tree seedlings tubed Pits dug
Old pits excavated
Young trees planted
Forestry paths and nurseries made.
148,491
121,524
56,573
53,877
47,394 sq. ft.
64. There are immense possibilities for this labour force on Lantao and the Department is ready to co-operate in any scheme which will provide useful and constructive work.
14
65.
·
XVI
INSPECTIONS AND VISITS
Prisons and Training Centres were inspected during the year by :-
The Chief Justice, the Honourable M. J. Hogan, C.M.G. Commodore J. H. Unwin, D.S.C., R.N., Commodore-in-Charge. The Unofficial Members of Legislative Council.
66. The Commissioner inspected all institutions weekly. Regular inspections were made by Visiting Justices.
67. In addition to these official inspections, we were fortunate enough to welcome a number of visitors from overseas. These visits, which are all too infrequent, are always stimulating and valuable. The visitors included:
Judge Charles W. Froessel
Mr. John H. Beukema
Mr. Maung Ni
Professor H. Kadish
New York State Court of Appeals. Director of Training,
Department of Corrections,
Hawaii.
Deputy Secretary,
Department of Justice,
Government of the Union of Burma.
Professor of Law,
University of Utah, U.S.A.
Professor Sir David Henderson Formerly Professor of Psychiatry,
Edinburgh University, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Delinquency.
68. After his visit to Stanley Prison, which was entirely unannounced, Judge Froessel wrote:
"I came, I saw and was conquered by what I saw. You have here a model institution and one would have to travel far to find a parallel for cleanliness, orderliness and reasonable discipline that invites willing obedience. I am deeply impressed."
69. Sir David Henderson wrote of Stanley Prison:
Of
"I have been tremendously impressed by my visit to Stanley Prison. It has impressed me as almost an ideal organization characterized by a spirit of enterprise, of personal touch and an humanitarian outlook which one does not often meet. The organization of work and recreational activities reaches the highest level. A model to be followed in all countries.'
Stanley Training Centre Sir David wrote:
"Words fail me to express my appreciation of the wonderful work which is in being in this most attractive Training Centre. I have enjoyed and profited by my experience."
15
XVII - DISCIPLINE
70. 1,013 punishments were awarded for prison offences, as against 599 last year and 888 the year before. The increase is due to two factors--the improvement in supervision and control following the reorganization of duties at Stanley, and the admission to prisons of large numbers of dangerous characters following the Kowloon riots. The standard of discipline in all institutions was in fact very high. There were no serious disturbances, but the record was marred in May 1956 by a serious assault by a Chinese prisoner on a European probation- ary Prison Officer. The officer was attacked from behind and
.
•
was struck several blows with an axe, being lucky to escape with his life. It is gratifying to record that he is now fit and well. This, the first serious assault on an officer for twenty years, undoubtedly had a triad society background.
71. Corporal punishment was not awarded by the prison authorities for any offence. (In the case referred to in para- graph 70 above it was awarded by the Court).
72. The following table gives particulars of punishments during the year with comparative figures for the two preceding
years:
Offenders
Offenders
Punishment
(From 1.4.54 (From 1.4.55 to 31.3.55) to 31.3.56)
Offenders (From 1.4.56 to 31.3.57)
Corporal Punishment..
Nil
Nil
Nil
Dietary Punishment
288
110
560
Dietary Punishment with Loss of Remission
and Privileges
45
28
8
Dietary Punishment with Loss of Remission
and Gratuity
Nil
Nil
Nil
Dietary Punishment with Loss of Remission
and Separate Confinement
Nil
3
15
Loss of Remission and Gratuity.
Nil
Nil
Nil
Loss of Privileges
137
81
4
Stop letters and visits.
23
4.
Nil
Dietary Punishment and stop visits
1
5
Nil
Loss of Remission, Privileges and Separate
Confinement...
Nil
Nil
Dietary Punishment, Loss of Privileges and
Separate Confinement
Nil
.18
20
16
Punishment
Offenders
(From 1.4.54
to 31.3.55)
Offenders
Offenders
(From 1.4.55 | (From 1.4.56 to 31.3.56) to 31.3.57)
Separate Confinement
Loss of Remission and Privileges..
Loss of Remission....
Nil
2
Nil
21
6
Nil
33
15
13
Loss of Earnings
59
6
42
Dietary Punishment, Loss of Privileges and
Earnings
Nil
3
Nil
Dietary Punishment, Loss of Remission and
stop visits
1
Nil
Nil
Loss of Remission and stop visits.....
2
Nil
Nil
Dietary Punishment with Loss of Remission
Nil
&
65
Pay cost of material from Earnings
13
Nil
10
Loss of Privileges and pay cost of material
from Earnings.......
Nil
2
Nil
Dietary Punishment, Loss of Privileges and
pay cost of material from Earnings Dietary Punishment, Loss of Privileges and
Loss of Canteen Privileges
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
28
Nil
Dietary Punishment with Loss of Privileges...
171
121
37
Loss of Remission and pay cost of material
from Earnings
1
Nil
4
Loss of Privileges and Loss of Canteen
Privileges.....
Nil
12
Nil
Loss of Canteen Privileges
Nil
I
Nil
Dietary Punishment, Loss of Privileges and
work in cell vide Prison Rule 35(2) Dietary Punishment and work in cell vide
Prison Rule 35(2)
Nil
8
Nil
Nil
1
2
Loss of Remission and stop letters
Nil
1
Nil
Dietary Punishment and Separate Confinement.
Nil
Nil
3
Dietary punishment, Forfeit Earnings and pay
cost of material from Earnings......
Nil
Nil
1
Dietary Punishment, Loss of Remission and Earnings, Separate Confinement and pay cost of material from Earnings...
Nil
Nil
2
Loss of Remission and Forfeit Earnings
Nil
Nil
15
Forfeit Earnings and pay cost of material from
Earnings
Nil
Nil
1
Dietary Punishment, Loss of Remission, Forfeit
Earnings and Separate Confinement
Nil
Nil
33
Dietary Punishment, Loss of Remission, and
Forfeit Earnings...
Nil
Nil
32
Dietary Punishment, Loss of Earnings and pay
cost of material from Earnings..
Nil
Nil
1
17
Punishment
Loss of Remission, Earnings and Separate
Confinement
Offenders (From 1.4.54 to 31.3.55)
Offenders (From 1.4.55 to 31.3.56)
Offenders (From 1.4.561 to 31.3.57)
Nil
Nil
1
Dietary Punishment and Forfeit Earnings Dietary Punishment and pay cost of material
from Earnings..
Nil
Nil
51
Nil
Nil
11
Caution
93
109
70.
Downgraded (Training Centres only)..
Nil
8
12
Total
888
599
1,013
Corporal Punishment.
73. Corporal punishment was carried out by order of the Courts as follows:
Adult
Juveniles
Nature of Offences
Cat
Cane
Cane
Larceny from the person.
Nil
65
Nil
Attempted Jarceny from the person.
Nil
4
Nil
Robbery with aggravation
Nil
8
Nil
Robbery with violence
Nil
10
Nil
Assault with intent to rob
Nil
Nil
Possession of arms and ammunition
Nil
2
Nil
Wounding with intent
Nil
7
Nil
Total
Nil
100
Nil
Note: The "cat" has been abolished as an instrument for flogging in Hong Kong.
74. Comparative figures are:-
By sentences
For Prison
of Courts.
Offences.
1953 54 1954-55
117
Nil
227
Nil
1955-56
106
Nil
1956 - 57
100
Nil
18
XVIII ESCAPES
75. There were no escapes from inside prisons.
76. One prisoner escaped from an outside working party at Stanley, but was quickly recaptured.
77. Three prisoners escaped while under escort.
78.
Three boys absconded from Stanley Training Centre but were quickly recaptured.
79. One boy absconded from Tung Tau Wan Training Centre but was caught within ten minutes.
80. During the year Escape Control Plans were introduced at all prisons. These are based on control points in the area to which officers are speedily directed as soon as they respond to an alarm. The Stanley peninsula is particularly well suited to this kind of plan, which has the aim of sealing off escape routes as quickly as possible.
81.
year.
XIX EXECUTIONS
Four executions took place at Stanley Prison during the
XX- REMISSION
82. All sentences of imprisonment are subject to remission of one third of the total period subject to good conduct and industry, and provided that the period served is not reduced to less than thirty days.
83. Training Centre sentences are not subject to remission but carry a statutory minimum of nine months and a maximum of three years. The date of release, depending on response to training, is determined by the Commissioner on the advice of a Discharge Board.
XXI — AFTER-CARE
84. Further steps were taken during the year to encourage the setting up of a Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, and as this report goes to press the Society has been registered and has held its first meeting. It is hoped that the Society will be able to co-ordinate and extend the work done by voluntary agencies, notably the Salvation Army whose officers regularly visit Stanley Prison.
19
85. The full-time After-Care Officer appointed to look after boys discharged from Training Centres has done excellent work, and has maintained contact with boys under supervision in conditions of great difficulty. In overcrowded urban tene- ments it is frequently very hard to make supervision effective, but the After-Care Officer has carried his increasing case-load with much success.
XXII PROBATION
.
86. As the Probation Service comes under the control of the Social Welfare Officer, a record of its activities will be found in his annual Report.
XXIII
FINANCIAL
87. Expenditure for the year 1956-57 (H.K.$1.00-1s. 3d.):-
Subhead 1.
2.
Personal emoluments
"}
Arms, ammunition and armoury stores
3.
"
23
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
7
37
9.
"J
=
Clothing for prisoners .....
Disbursement of welfare donations
Executioner's fees.
Fuel, light and power
Incidental expenses
Materials for prison industries Minor works
10. Photography.
11. Prisoners' earnings scheme
12.
Publications
Religious ministrations
Running expenses of vehicles
$3,397,327.16 6,439.35 283,945.27 2,483.60 .-300.00 223,099.06
3,298.20
14,960.34
19,542.18
2,364.20
102,005.97
2,943.94
4,800.00
32,150.00
10,479.30
19
13.
33
14.
Rent of quarters
}}
15.
16.
Stores and equipment
345,001.24
J
17.
Subsistence of prisoners
1,489,839.80
27
18. Travelling expenses
21,303.30
19.
Uniforms
111,691.02
>J
Special Expenditure
20. Alarm system
3,667.98
21. Laundry equipment
33,268.33
22. Motor vehicles
20,031.81
23. Workshop machinery & equipment
56,802.97
Recurrent Expenditure
24. Hire of films
2,852.00
25. Hire of launch
2,850.00
Total
$6,193,447.02
20.
}
88. Revenue-Head 5, Fees of Court or Office
89.
(D) Sales, 10 Prison industries
$13,878.64
(a) The gross cost of maintaining a prisoner per
annum-$1,460.58.
(b) The actual cost of standard diet per prisoner per
diem:
1.4.56 - 31.7.56
1.8.56 - 31.1.57
1.2.57 - 31.3.57
$1.13
1.20
1.28
(c) The average cost of feeding a prisoner per annum.
(including hospital and special diets)
$1.13 per diem.
·
$411.91
21
SECTION 2
OTHER INSTITUTIONS
Stanley Training Centre
90. The Centre had a most successful year.
The rate of both admissions and discharges was higher than in previous years.
91.
The Centre contains a complete primary school with classes 1 to 6, and Junior Middle School Forms 1 and 2. In addition there is a special class in which all subjects are taught in English. An additional schoolmaster was appointed during the year to take this special class.
92. There is vocational training in Motor Mechanics, Car- pentry, Rattan, Painting and Decorating, Vegetable and Flower Gardening, Building, and Hairdressing.
93. The Centre is divided into three grades Beginners, Training Grade and Leavers. A boy normally spends six months in Beginners and the larger part of his time in the Centre is spent in the Training Grade. When he has shown a good response to training he is promoted to Leavers Grade a month or two before discharge. While he is a Leaver, the boy has complete freedom of movement in the Centre. For both Training and Leavers Grades privileges include extra outdoor relaxation time in the evenings, radio in the dormitories, weekly cinema shows, scouting, membership of the Corps of Drums and home leave.
94. The Training Centres Ordinance provides for a minimum of nine months' and a maximum of three years' training. The actual date of release is determined by the Commissioner on the advice of a Discharge Board.
95. The staff have worked very well throughout the year, and despite many changes consequent upon promotions and transfers, the spirit of the Centre has been maintained.
Tung Tau Wan Training Centre
96. The structure, division into grades and methods of training are similar to those at Stanley Training Centre.
22
97. Tung Tau Wan takes boys in the older age groups, many of whom have previous convictions, and taking this into account the standard of discipline is very high and the response to training remarkably good.
98. The Training Centre held its first Annual Sports Day in April 1956. There was a large number of visitors and many trophies and prizes were presented by friends of the Centre.
99. 275 home leave passes were issued during the year, and not one pass holder failed to return on time.
100. 35 boys were released during the year, and each had employment found for him. Six were employed as messengers by the Prisons Department-the first step in a career in Government service in which it is hoped they will all do well.
101. The 43rd Hong Kong Sea Scouts took part in many scouting activities, and the troop plays an important part in the Centre's programme of training.
C. J. NORMAN, Commissioner of Prisons.
20th June, 1957.
23
24
POPULATION STATISTICS OF THE PRISONS OF HONG KONG 1956/57 (PART I)
COMMITTALS AND LENGTH OF SENTENCES
ANNEX I
Name of Prison
Total number of
persons committed
Destitutes and Debtors
Committals
Length of Sentences
For safe custody
For deportation
For imprisonment after conviction
18 months and over
12 months and less than
18 months
6 months and less than
12 months
3 months and less than
6 months
1 month and less than
3 months
Under 1 month but more than 7 days
7 days or less
Stanley (Males)
Victoria (Males)
13,277
3
14 13,260 564
344
8,232
44 3,189
57 4,942
10
19
Chimawan (Males) 4/12/56 to 31/3/57.
993
993
764 1,825 8,131 1,632
64 135 664 2,713 1,350
177 283 5331
Lai Chi Kok (Females)
1,314
19
179
3 1,126
19
9
32 119 322 305 320
Stanley Training Centre (Boys)........
87
87
87
Tung Tau Wan Training Centre (Boys)
62
62
62
Total
23,965
50 3,371
74 20,470
742
359 1,037 2,362 9,650 4,650 1,670
25
Name of Prison
Previous Convictions
For imprisonment
after conviction
Once
{
POPULATION STATISTICS OF THE PRISONS OF HONG KONG 1956/57 (PART II)
PREVIOUS CONVICTION AND AGE GROUPS
Twice
Thrice or more
Daily average in prison
accommodation
Approved
Daily average on sick list
Admissions to hospital
Deaths (excluding executions)
Executions
Under 16 years
16-21 years
22-25 years
Age Groups
Stanley (Males)
Victoria (Males)
13,260 1,654 1,465 6,773 2,558.74 1,578 86.86 1,303
4,942 1,152
510 164.86
904 1,608 497.85
Chimawan (Males)
4/12/56 to 31/3/57
993
186
167
403 273.15
665 7.66
23
420
7
482
508 3,330
738 1,329 9,346 1,847
622
111
186 696
Lai Chi Kok
(Females)
1,126
112
66
619 95.00
274 19.00
77
39 106 892
89
Stanley Training
Centre (Boys)
87
26
13
8 117.18!
75 2.41
یت
3
21
66
Tung Tau Wan
Training Centre (Boys)
62
15
11
17 75.00
701 1.10
3
1
62
Total..........
20,470 3,145 2,626 9,428 3,616.92 3,172 281.89 1,814
31
4
21 1,498 2,129 14,264 2,558
26-50 years
Over 50 years
{
26
ANNEX II
PRISONS DEPARTMENT WELFARE FUND
Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31st March, 1957
RECEIPTS
(a) Forfeitures or fines inflicted on
subordinate officers etc.
$2,188.20
(b) Unclaimed sums found and
confiscated
244.45
(c) Donations and voluntary
PAYMENTS
(a) Rewards to subordinate officers and other persons employed in the prisons for extra services rendered by them
(b) Comforts, convenience or other advantages not chargeable to the public revenue, subdivided into
(i) purchase of sports gear and clothing (ii) expenses incurred on the mainten- ance of improvement of playing fields (iii) transport expenses of prison teams or subordinate officers or other per- sons employed in the prisons taking part in organized sports
contributions...
(d) Sums voted by the Legislative
Council
Recovery of Loans
2,019.00
(iv) grants or assistance to prison clubs,
canteens or recreation rooms
$1,972.09
(v) books, magazines and other periodicals. (vi) educational expenses.
(vii) entertainment expenses
(viii) medical and dental attention not covered by the Government medical services
200.00
1,750.00
(ix) grants on death of serving subordinate officers and other persons employed in the prisons or pensioners
200.00
(x) other suitable purposes under this
heading
50.00
(c)
Loans to prison officers
3,104.83
(d)
Purchase of securities in accordance with
Rule 254...
Total..
$6,201.65
Balance being excess of receipts over pay-
ments transferred to Balance Sheet
Total..
674,73
$6.201.65
Balance Sheet as at 31st March, 1957
ASSETS
$1,883.17
Cash deposited in Treasury
$2,557.90
LIABILITIES
Value of fund as at 1st April, 1956.
Plus Excess of receipts over payments for the year ended 31st March, 1957
Value of fund as at 31st March, 1957
27
674.73
$2,557.90
$2,557.90
No investments are held on behalf of the Fund.
Statement of Loans as at 31st March, 1957
Outstanding Loans as at 1. 4. 56.
$1,300.00
Less repayments during the year
1,300.00
Nil
New Loans made for period from 1st April, 1956 to 31st March, 1957 Less repayments for the same period
$3,104.83
450.00
$2,654.83
Total Outstanding Loans as at 31. 3. 57
$2,654,83
$2,557.90
(Sd.)
C. J. NORMAN, Commissioner of Prisons. 14. 5. 57.
The above Accounts have been examined in accordance with Rule 264 of the Prison Rules, 1954. I have obtained all the information and explanations that I have required, and I certify, as a result of this audit, that in my opinion the Accounts are correct.
(Sd.)
F. E. L. CARTER, Director of Audit. 7. 6. 57.
ANNEX III
I
STANLEY PRISON
Medical Officer's Report
THERE have been no structural changes in the Stanley Prison Hospital. Towards the end of the year it became necessary to increase the number of beds available for leprosy cases and to improve their accommodation and facilities. The 4-bedded ward previously used for European prisoners was, accordingly, converted into a Hansen's disease ward and the number of beds increased by installing six double bunks. This ward has a small annexe attached providing separate bath and lavatory facilities. The total number of beds now available in Stanley Prison Hospital has thus been increased from 70 to 82 during the year.
Hospital Staff.
2. Dr. J. R. LING Poo continued during 1956/57 as Medical Officer-in-Charge of Stanley and of the two Boys Training Centres at Tung Tau Wan and Stanley, which are approximately and respectively and 1 miles distant from Stanley Prison. Dr. LING Poo also attends the Stanley Village Public Dispen- sary three afternoons a week and the Prisons Department Staff Families Clinic every afternoon. The Hospital and nursing staff at the date of this report is as follows:
1 Hospital Supervisor
1 Assistant Hospital Supervisor
4 Dressers (including one Auxiliary Dresser)
1 Registered nurse
9 Hospital Warders.
3. Towards the end of the year 5 trained and experienced Hospital Warders were transferred back to disciplinary duties on promotion and were replaced by untrained Indian Warders who will require a minimum of one year's training.
4. The increasingly heavy demands of the outlying Training Centres which together accommodate approximately 200 boys -and of the Staff Families Clinic led to the application for and the appointment of a registered female nurse who commenced duty on 1st March, 1957. She has been made responsible for
28
;
carrying out the treatments recommended by the Medical Officer for the staff and Trainees in the Training Centres and for the staff families who are attended to in a surgery equipped for the purpose and used by the nurse as her office and headquarters.
5. Total number of prisoners committed to Stanley
Prison during 1956/57 Daily average population
13,277
2,558.74
The number of prisoners committed to Stanley Prison during the year under report increased by 5,716 as compared with the previous year and the daily average population was increased by over 46.12%. These increases are reflected in the numbers who attended the prison hospital for out-patient treatment or were admitted as in-patients.
Out-patients.
6. The bulk of this department's work is concerned with prisoners' sick parades and the formidable amount of clerical work associated with them. Out-patients' sick parades are seen throughout the forenoon in the prison hospital consulting room and the various categories of prisoners-Short term; Long term; Star and Ordinary class and Detainees are kept separate by attending at different times.
Total number of prisoners reporting sick Daily average number reporting sick
Total number in receipt of treatment Daily average number under treatment
25,406
85.5
65,938 222
These cases are treated or are referred to specialist clinics. (social hygiene, pulmonary tuberculosis, leprosy or dental) and all such cases are shown in the overall number under treatment above. The figures do not include medical inspections of new prisoners which are carried out on the day of committal in accordance with the Prisons Ordinance. These inspections assess each new prisoner's physical ability to carry out the terms of his sentence. During the year as a result of these inspections 212 new prisoners were admitted direct to the prison hospital and 2,700 were recommended modified forms of labour (prisoners over 50 years of age are, ipso facto, included in this category).
29
In-patients.
7. 1,305 prisoners were admitted to the prison hospital during 1956/57 compared with 897 admitted during the previous
year:
General cases
Infectious cases
Pulmonary tuberculosis Mental cases
Total
1,022
141
127
15
1,305
The daily average number of in-patients was 61 and the daily average number of days' illness per prisoner patient was 12.9. The infectious cases include 27 cases of leprosy who, although ambulatory, have been treated as in-patients as this is the most. satisfactory arrangement for segregating and treating them in this department. 21 deaths were recorded during the year being 0.16% of the total number of prisoners committed. In addition 4 prisoners were judicially executed and 2 prisoners died in Queen Mary Hospital after their transfer there for surgical treatment. Causes of natural death:
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Cirrhosis of liver
Cardiac failure due to beri-beri
Neoplasm
Pneumonia
Cerebral haemorrhage
Hypertension & apoplexy
Carcinoma of stomach
Total
13
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
21
Cases transferred to other hospitals:
To Queen Mary Hospital
To Mental Hospital
Drug Addicts.
.....
39
11.
8. 8,829 drug addicts were committed during the year as compared with 3,444 the previous year. Half-yearly age-group statistics are now forwarded to the Narcotics Bureau, Hong
30
¡
Kong, through the Commissioner of Prisons. A summary of these statistics is as follows:
Age Group
I
Opium addiction
Heroin Opium/Heroin
Total
addiction
addiction
Under 16 years
16
20 years
3
17
20
21
35 years
233
1,761
616
2,610
36
50 years
675
1,613
1,934
4,222
51
65 years.
410
493
987
1,890
66 years and over
26
19
42
87
Total
8,829
Drug addicts complaining of withdrawal symptoms more acute than mild epigastric pains and diarrhoea are the exception rather than the rule. 113 drug addicts, all in the older age- groups and suffering from malnutrition and avitaminosis, were admitted for in-patient treatment during the year.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
9. The mass-miniature mobile X-ray unit attended Stanley Prison at monthly intervals during the first quarter of the year but, because of staff shortage and other commitments, attended twice only during the last nine months of 1956. Thus only 3,250 prisoners out of a total of 13,277 committed during the year were X-rayed and in these circumstances it has not been possible to produce any useful statistics. The daily average number of prisoners suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis has fluctuated between 128 and 181 during the period under report. It is of interest to note that during the past six months 136 new prisoners were admitted direct to the T.B. party. They were all recidivist prisoners diagnosed as cases of pulmonary tuberculosis during a previous sentence and, on re-committal, claiming the treatment, privileges and diet available to these
31
cases. None had attended Government Chest Clinics after their discharge from prison as they had been instructed or advised 127 cases were admitted to the tuberculosis ward during
to do. the year.
Dental, Social Hygiene and Leprosy Clinics.
A
10. 1,144 dental cases were treated during the year. Government Dental Surgeon attends Stanley Prison Hospital each Monday afternoon.
11. 3,214 cases of venereal disease and 27 leprosy cases were referred to Dr. S. C. Fong of the Social Hygiene service who attends this department on Thursday afternoons.
Prisons Department Staff and Staff Families Clinic.
12. Members of the staff are attended to each morning in the prison hospital. During the year 1,060 staff reported sick and were given a total of 564 days sick leave. 18 staff were admitted to government hospitals during 1956/57.
13. Individual members of the families of Prisons Depart- ment Staff have now on file a specially prepared medical folder in which records of illnesses, treatments, vaccinations, inocula- tions and specialist reports are maintained by the nurse in the Staff Families Clinic which is centrally situated and accessible to all the families. It is estimated that this clinic is catering for 560 women and children. A daily average of 21 attended during the year. In February 1957 there was an epidemic of measles amongst children of the community. A total of 24 cases were notified and at one period of the month 22 cases were concurrently under treatment in their homes.
Summary.
14. The health of prisoners has been good generally and there have been no epidemics apart from a mild outbreak of bacillary dysentery towards the end of the year. Routine methods maintain a good standard of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the prison and prison area.
Vital Statistics
Total number of prisoners committed to Stanley
Prison 1956/57
Daily average population
Total admissions to hospital
13,277
2,558.74 1,305
32
Total number reporting sick
Daily average reporting sick
Total number under treatment
Daily average number under treatment
Deaths
Executions
Number transferred to the hospitals (Queen
Mary Hospital)
Number transferred to other hospitals (Mental
Hospital)
25,406
85.5
65,938
222
21
4
39
11
(Sgd.)
J. R. LING Poo,
Medical Officer,
Stanley Prison Hospital.
5th April, 1957.
33
ANNEX IIIA
VICTORIA PRISON
Medical Officer's Report
Hospital and Staff. DR. C. O. Lee continues to be the Medical Officer of the Prison. There have been no structural changes in the Hospital facilities which comprises a sick bay of 8 beds, with a small dispensary and laboratory, both well equipped. The staff of the hospital apart from the Medical Officer consists of 6 hospital warders, and a part time qualified dresser from the neighbouring Police Medical Post who inoculates prisoners against small-pox, cholera, and typhoid. Due to the lack of facilities for isolation, infectious disease cases are transferred to the Stanley Prison Hospital, and major surgical cases are transferred to the Queen Mary Hospital for treatment. The Medical Officer is on call for emergency after office hours.
Prison Population.
2. The average daily muster of the prison through the year was 497.85 which was a welcome decrease compared to last year, when the prison was overcrowded. Victoria Prison serves as a remand and receiving prison for all male prisoners in the Colony, and a total of 21,723 persons were on admission medically examined as to their state of health, physical condi- tion, and fitness for labour. The daily average attendance on the sick-parade was 109, and this large number can be mainly accounted for by the large number of drug addicts received into the prison daily. A total of 387, almost all drug addicts, were admitted into the hospital during the year.
3. 9 prisoners were transferred to Queen Mary Hospital, 15 to the Prison Hospital, Stanley, and 11 to the Mental Hospital during the year.
4. During the year 7 deaths were recorded, all from natural causes, and all were drug addicts.
Drug Addiction.
5. As in previous years statistics of drug addiction in the prison have been kept. The total number of drug addicts for this year in Victoria Prison alone was 1,979. Because of the large number of drug addicts received daily in the prison, and
34
the limited facilities, it has not been possible to treat them on a curative and rehabilitative regime, and treatment has been confined to relieving their acute withdrawal symptoms.
Dental Treatment.
6. The Government Dental Surgeon continues to attend fort- nightly and a total of 195 sought dental treatment.
Sanitation.
7. The prison has been free of any outbreak of infectious disease, and the high standard of sanitation and hygiene has been maintained.
Diet,
8. The diet supplied has been of good quality and well cooked. Stool test of prisoners to be employed in the cook-house resulted in 7 "typhoid carriers" being detected and isolated.
Staff.
9. The general health of staff has been good, with 2161 days sick leave given.
10. In August 1956 a Family Clinic was established in the former Clerical Office to provide medical attention for the members of families of the staff of the Prisons Department, living in Hong Kong and Kowloon and there was a total attendance of 361.
Annual Statistical Report for Victoria Prison Hospital Daily average number of prisoners
497.85
Light labour
841
Dental treatment
195
Number of prisoners sent to Stanley Prison Hospital
15
Number of prisoners sent to Queen Mary Hospital
9
Number of prisoners sent to Mental Hospital Patients in Victoria Prison Hospital
11
1,913
Number of prisoners admitted to Victoria Prison Hospital
387
Number of new cases treated
16,640
Number of old cases treated
21,614
Number of dressings
1,590
Number of physical examinations
20,563
Number of vaccinations
12,834
Number of inoculations
18,787
Daily average on sick list
109.1
Staff consultations
Days sick leave given
328
216
35
Deaths due to lobar pneumonia
11.
99
"
79
>
37
JJ
pulmonary tuberculosis carcinoma of stomach peritonitis
myocardial degeneration
1.
1
Total deaths
Family Clinic:
Number of new cases treated Number of old cases treated
7
Number of dressings
Total
194
120
47
361
Statistics of drug addicts admitted to Victoria Prison
1956
1956
1956
1957.
2nd Qtr.
3rd Qtr.
4th Qtr. 1st Qtr.
Total.
Heroin addictions
351
300
293
285
1,229
Age: 18 - 78
Opium addictions.
233
201
147
168
749
Age: 18-74
Morphine addiction
1
1.
Age: 31
1st April, 1957.
· 36 ·
(Sgd.) C. O. LEE,
Medical Officer,
Victoria Prison.
1
ANNEX IIIB
CHIMAWAN PRISON
Medical Officer's Report
for period from 1.1.57 to 31.3.57
DURING the period under review, the general health of the prisoners has been good. Prisoners selected for Chimawan Prison have been medically examined, to ensure that they are all physically fit for labour.
2. The buildings and dormitories are spacious and well ventilated, and the cook-house after alteration is up to a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness.
3.
Much labour has been put in to repair the drains and nullahs, which were in a fairly bad state of neglect, and daily sanitary squads have done a splendid job in cleaning the grounds. The sanitation and hygiene of the prison now leaves little room for improvement.
4. From my observations of drug addicts who serve their sentences here, I have no doubt that the open air life and the daily work of reafforestation in the hills, have helped them to rehabilitate themselves, and to regain their normal health again. 5. On 11.3.57 Dresser Lee was transferred to Stanley Prison and Hospital Warder 272 replaced him.
6. Of the out-patients treated the vast majority have been for cuts and abrasion, all of minor nature.
Statistics
Prisoners admitted to hospital
Prisoners transferred to Queen Mary Hospital Prisoners transferred to Mental Hospital
Prisoners transferred to Victoria Prison Hospital
Deaths
Old cases treated
New cases treated
Staff seen by Medical Officer
Daily average on sick parade
Sick leave recommended
Nil
Nil
Nil
8
Nil
253
437
7.66
26
3 days.
3rd April, 1957.
37
(Sgd.) C. O. LEE,
Medical Officer, Chimawan Prison.
ANNEX IIIC
LAI CHI KOK PRISON Medical Officer's Report
THE medical facilities for the female prison include: an 8-bedded hospital, a ward for maternity cases, and a consulting room where the sick parades are held. The medical officer attends daily, and the doctor on duty at the adjacent Lai Chi Kok. Hospital is always available for emergencies.
2. The general health of the community has been very satis- factory, and there have been no outbreaks of infectious disease. All prisoners are examined on admission, and any ailments discovered are treated. As the majority of these women are suffering from an iron deficiency anaemia, it has been found beneficial to treat all admissions with ferrous sulphate. The two most important and prevalent diseases found in the criminal classes of Hong Kong are drug addiction and pulmonary tuberculosis, 355 and 15 cases respectively. The withdrawal symptoms among the addicts are comparatively mild, and most of them are quite comfortable within 4 to 5 days; however, relapse is the rule when they return to their old surroundings. Even today the treatment of tuberculosis takes many weeks or months and demands the full co-operation of the patient. Although many short sentence prisoners improve dramatically with treatment, they never follow their instructions to attend a Government chest clinic, and almost inevitably they break down on release.
3. All new admissions are examined as a matter of routine for venereal disease, and when positive are referred to the Social Hygiene Specialist. Twenty-six per cent showed sero- logical evidence of syphilis (in several re-admissions the disease had already been rendered inactive during an earlier sojourn in prison), and in 0.5% gonococci were found in the smears. A clinical observation, worthy of comment, is the rarity of active lesions the vast majority of these cases are in the latent phase.
-
4. Prisoners are encouraged to have prophylactic inoculation against cholera, small pox and typhoid.
5. At different times during the year, flies and mosquitoes became troublesome; however, prompt action by the urban
38
Details of Attendances and Treatments, etc.
Sick leave granted 32 staff
services, who discovered the breeding grounds, speedily brought these nuisances under control.
Staff.
Reporting sick
181 days
39
Admitted Queen Mary Hospital
3
Admitted Lai Chi Kok Hospital
1
Vaccinated against smallpox
46
X-rayed
Prisoners.
Out-Patient attendances
46
6,932
Admission to Prison Hospital
Maternity case delivered in Prison Hospital
Dental treatments
Anti diphtheria inoculation (children)
Bacillary dysentery
Diphtheria
Opium addicts
77
4
101
Vaccinated against smallpox
Inoculated against typhoid fever (2 injections)
980
286
13
3
1
37
Heroin addicts
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Total V.D.R.L. tests
318
15
851
Total V.D.R.L. tests positive
Total vaginal smears
224
851
For X-ray
T.B. Clinic
Medical Clinic
Eye Clinic
Surgical Clinic
Dental Clinic
Total vaginal smears positive
Routine X-rays
Prisoners referred to Kowloon Hospital Out-patient Clinics.
Ante-natal
Gynaecological Clinic
4
189
2
70
1
5
2
12
Casualty Clinic
Prisoners sent to Lai Chi Kok Hospital for blood counts
Children transferred to Lai Chi Kok Hospital
(1 fever)
(1 diphtheria)
Prisoners transferred to Kowloon Hospital
(3 maternity cases)
(2 dental treatment)
(2 acute abdominal emergencies)
(1 piles)
Prisoners transferred to Mental Hospital
45272
8
3
1st April, 1957.
39
(Sgd.)
C. R. FORREST,
Medical Officer,
Lai Chi Kok Prison.
ANNEX IIID
STANLEY TRAINING CENTRE
Medical Officer's Report
DURING the year under review Dr. J. R. LING Poo continued as Medical Officer of the Stanley Training Centre. The appoint- ment of a registered nurse on 1st March, 1957 has helped con- siderably the work of the Medical Officer as she visits the institution every day except Sundays and holidays and sees all boys reporting sick, referring them where necessary to the Medical Officer.
2. There has been no outbreak of infectious disease and the general health of the boys has been excellent.
3. The grounds and the premises have been kept clean and there has been a noticeable absence of flies, mosquitoes and other pests.
4. The diet supplied is ample and well balanced.
5. There is a sick bay of 4 beds for the segregation of boys who report sick and suffer from any infectious disease. Cases requiring treatment beyond the facilities available are sent to Queen Mary Hospital.
6. New boys, on admission into the Training Centre, are given a medical examination including a chest X-ray. Some of the boys on admission were suffering from skin diseases, others from dental caries while a few showed signs of malnutrition which responded quickly to treatment. All boys on discharge were medically examined and found physically fit.
7. During the year under review a total of 564 boys attended sick parades, mostly cases of a minor nature. Two confirmed and one unconfirmed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis are having special treatment and the T.B. Specialist visits them from time to time and reports improvement in their conditions. Two boys were referred to the Social Hygiene Clinic for circum- cision. 35 boys who suffered from dental caries were referred to the Government Dental Clinic for treatment. A short sighted boy was referred to the Ophthalmic Specialist for refraction and spectacles. Two boys who suffered from frac-
40
}
tured arm and epilepsy respectively were admitted to Queen Mary Hospital for treatment. All boys who have been in the Centre over one year have been re-X-rayed.
(Sgd.) J. R. LING Poo,
Medical Officer,
Stanley Prison.
8th April, 1957.
41
ANNEX IIIE
TUNG TAU WAN TRAINING CENTRE Medical Officer's Report
EVERY new boy on admission into the Training Centre a medical examination.
given
2. The Medical Officer attends the Training Centre whenever required to examine the boys due for discharge and to see any boy reporting sick and when necessary the boy is admitted to a sick bay. Cases requiring treatment beyond the facilities. available are sent to Queen Mary Hospital.
3. During the year under review the daily average of boys reporting sick was 1.1. There has been no outbreak of infec- tious disease. Two boys were admitted to Queen Mary Hospital, one for a hernia operation and the other boy on two occasions with high fever and bronchitis. The health of this boy has of late shown an improvement but he is still having special diet. Three boys were referred to Queen Mary Hospital Casualty Ward for minor operations. One boy had a circumcision operation at the families clinic, Stanley. Four short sighted boys were referred to the Eye Specialist for refraction and spectacles. Two boys were referred to the Violet Peel Poly- clinic for treatment. Boys requiring dental treatment were sent to the Sai Ying Pun Dental Clinic. All boys who have been
in the Centre over one year have been re-X-rayed.
4. One boy who has pulmonary tuberculosis is having special treatment and the T.B. Specialist visits him from time to time and reports big improvement on his condition. Nine boys were sent to Queen Mary Hospital for repeat X-rays, all with a negative result.
5. One boy who was under treatment for epilepsy was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital following an accident on the Training Centre beach, but I regret to report that he died soon after admittance to Queen Mary Hospital.
6. The recent appointment of a nurse has helped considerably the work of the Medical Officer as she visits the Institution every day except Sundays and holidays and sees all boys reporting sick, referring them when necessary to the Medical Officer.
42
.
All treatment and dressings are done by the nurse who is always on hand in case of emergency.
7.
The grounds and premises are clean and free from pests and the waterborne sanitation which was completed during the year is a great improvement.
8. The diet supplied is ample and well balanced.
4th April, 1957.
43
(Sgd.) J. R. LING Poo,
Medical Officer,
Stanley Prison.