Latest news with #CorrectionalServicesDepartment
HKFP
7 days ago
- Politics
- HKFP
Gov't denies using new prison rules after visitor allegedly barred from seeing inmate jailed for nat. sec offences
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) has not used tightened prison rules to ban any visitors or impose any restrictions on prison visits, the authorities said, after a visitor was allegedly denied permission to see an inmate. In a statement published on Tuesday night, the CSD acknowledged that it had denied a member of the public permission to visit someone in prison that morning because the visitor 'was not on the declared visitors list of the PIC,' or person in custody. 'According to the established mechanism, visitors must be declared visitors on the PIC's declared visitors list,' the CSD said. 'Since the Prison (Amendment) Rules 2025 came into effect last Friday, the CSD has not invoked Rule 48 of the Prison Rules to prohibit any person from conducting visits, nor has it imposed restrictions or conditions on any visits.' The new prison rules, which allow the CSD to restrict or ban a person from visiting an inmate on certain grounds, including safeguarding national security, took effect on Friday, just two weeks after the government proposed the amendments. Separately, Ben – a pseudonym – told HKFP that he went to a prison on Tuesday morning with a friend to visit an inmate jailed for national security offences. Ben said that he had confirmed with the CSD on Monday and last week that his name was on the visitors' list of the person in custody. 'On Tuesday morning, after CSD staff checked my identity card and my friend's, they said I was not allowed to visit because the person in custody had taken my name off the list, but my friend could still pay a visit,' Ben said in Cantonese. He added that the detainee's family had contacted the CSD to enquire what had happened. New rules Under the new prison rules, the CSD can restrict the visitation rights of religious leaders and lawyers if it sees a need to protect national security. Existing rules allow a chaplain to visit a prisoner 'at all reasonable times.' Additionally, the CSD can apply for a warrant from a magistrate to bar an inmate from communicating with a legal representative, in person or in writing, as well as with anyone associated with the law firm concerned.
HKFP
17-07-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Tightened prison rules restricting visits on nat. security grounds to take effect on Friday
Tightened prison rules restricting lawyers and religious leaders from visiting inmates will take effect on Friday, just two weeks after the authorities proposed the amendments. The fast-tracked legislative amendments will allow the Correctional Services Department (CSD) to restrict or even ban a person from visiting an inmate on certain grounds, including safeguarding national security. The proposal will be gazetted and passed directly into law on Friday under 'negative vetting' procedures, allowing it to come into effect before being scrutinised by lawmakers on Wednesday next week. The government proposes the amendments 'to ensure that we can effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security,' said the Security Bureau in a statement on Wednesday. 'Amidst the present complicated geopolitical situation, national security risks still exist. It is necessary to amend the [Prison Rules] as soon as possible to prevent and resolve relevant risks in a timely manner, the earlier the better, for safeguarding national security effectively.' New rules The new rules would grant the CSD the power to refuse any visits that do not comply with statutory purposes, such as facilitating the rehabilitation of inmates and their reintegration into society. The government also proposes restricting the visitation rights of religious leaders and lawyers if authorities see a need to protect national security. Existing rules allow a chaplain to visit a prisoner 'at all reasonable times.' The government also suggests that the CSD can apply for a warrant from a magistrate to bar an inmate from communicating with a legal representative, in person or in writing, as well as with anyone associated with the law firm concerned. The proposal to restrict communications between inmates and lawyers appears to be a response to the convictions of pro-democracy activist Owen Chow and his lawyer, Phyllis Woo, who were found guilty last year of removing a complaint letter from prison without the CSD's approval. Woo is seeking to take her case to the city's top appeals court, with a hearing still pending. The amendments are also set to abolish existing provisions allowing people in detention awaiting trial to wear their own clothes and order meals from outside prison. Other proposals include expanding prison officers' powers to safeguard national security in areas such as regulating and screening letters coming in and out of prisons, handling books from outside, and imposing solitary confinement.
RTHK
16-07-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Govt slams Western remarks on Jimmy Lai case
Govt slams Western remarks on Jimmy Lai case The government has hit out at groups in the United States and other Western countries for their remarks relating to former media tycoon Jimmy Lai. File photo: RTHK The Hong Kong government has strongly condemned organisations in the West for slandering and smearing SAR authorities for handling the national security case of former media tycoon Jimmy Lai and his custodial arrangements. In a statement on Wednesday, the administration said the remarks by foreign groups "fully exposed the malicious and despicable intentions of anti-China organisations and media from the US and Western countries to undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong". A government spokesperson said foreign organisations primarily from the United States and Western countries have made "false and misleading statements by fabricating information" about the treatment provided to Lai during his custody, in an attempt to "glorify criminal behaviour and exert pressure on the courts". "In fact, [Lai's] actual legal representative has already made a clarification earlier that [Lai] has all along been receiving suitable treatment and care in prison," the spokesperson said. "However, the organisations from the US and Western countries choose to turn a blind eye to these facts and evidence, and carry on with their malicious political manoeuvres with ulterior motives." The spokesperson went on to say the Correctional Services Department attaches great importance to the safety and health of people in custody, adding that arrangements for Lai were "no different" from those applicable to others. It also said the arrangement for the former media tycoon to be disassociated from others behind bars has "all along been made at his own request" and was approved by the department.
RTHK
16-07-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Govt slams Western remarks on Jimmy Lai case
Govt slams Western remarks on Jimmy Lai case The government has hit out at groups in the United States and other Western countries for their remarks relating to former media tycoon Jimmy Lai. File photo: RTHK The Hong Kong government has strongly condemned organisations in the West for slandering and smearing SAR authorities for handling the national security case of former media tycoon Jimmy Lai and his custodial arrangements. In a statement on Wednesday, the administration said the remarks by foreign groups "fully exposed the malicious and despicable intentions of anti-China organisations and media from the US and Western countries to undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong". A government spokesperson said foreign organisations primarily from the United States and Western countries have made "false and misleading statements by fabricating information" about the treatment provided to Lai during his custody, in an attempt to "glorify criminal behaviour and exert pressure on the courts". "In fact, [Lai's] actual legal representative has already made a clarification earlier that [Lai] has all along been receiving suitable treatment and care in prison," the spokesperson said. "However, the organisations from the US and Western countries choose to turn a blind eye to these facts and evidence, and carry on with their malicious political manoeuvres with ulterior motives." The spokesperson went on to say the Correctional Services Department attaches great importance to the safety and health of people in custody, adding that arrangements for Lai were "no different" from those applicable to others. It also said the arrangement for the former media tycoon to be disassociated from others behind bars has "all along been made at his own request" and was approved by the department.
Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Hong Kong seeks to tighten prison visit rules on national security grounds
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Hong Kong authorities say there have been instances of prison visits being abused under the pretext of "humanitarian relief". HONG KONG - The Hong Kong authorities on July 7 presented a proposal to lawmakers to tighten prison rules to restrict visits by lawyers, religious personnel and doctors on national security grounds, a move critics said would further undermine prisoner rights. In a government paper submitted to the legislature, the Security Bureau said there had been instances of prison visits being abused under the pretext of 'humanitarian relief' in an attempt to influence prisoners and to 'arouse their hatred' of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. Under the proposal, the Correctional Services Department could apply for a magistrate's warrant, giving it the right to block or impose conditions on prisoner contact with specific lawyers and doctors. Hong Kong's mini-Constitution, or Basic Law, enshrines the legal professional privilege to safeguard confidential legal advice between lawyers and their clients, including in court and prison, and the right to choose a lawyer. But Security Secretary Chris Tang told lawmakers that while prisoners do not lose all their rights, 'the rights they enjoy are not the same as those of people not in prison, and the time they can exercise these rights and freedoms must be limited by the need to maintain national security, discipline and order'. China imposed a national security law on the former British colony in 2020, punishing offences like subversion with possible life imprisonment, following mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. The ongoing crackdown on dissent, including the use of powerful new national security laws to arrest pro-democracy campaigners and shutter civil society groups, has drawn criticism from countries including the US and Britain. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore's economy continues to expand in Q2 despite US tariff uncertainty: Advance estimate Singapore What's in a name? Local author traces the evolution of Singaporean Chinese names Business From wellness zone to neurodivergent room: How companies are creating inviting, inclusive offices Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore Swift action needed to stop vaping's slide from health risk to drug epidemic Singapore Art by Pathlight students to be displayed along Singapore River Opinion Hong Kong's past is disappearing, one icon at a time Sport Jannik Sinner dethrones Carlos Alcaraz to capture maiden Wimbledon crown Hong Kong and Chinese authorities say the laws have brought stability and order. Jailed pro-democracy activist Owen Chow and his lawyer were convicted in 2024 for violating prison rules after his lawyer took a complaint form out of the prison without authorisation. A veteran lawyer, who did not wish to reveal his identity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters that this proposal further 'extends the power' of the authorities over those accused of national security offences. Mr Derek Chu, the founder of prison rights advocacy group Waiting Bird, told Reuters that it would further silence individuals such as barrister and activist Chow Hang Tung, who has remained outspoken, even behind bars. 'It cuts off the support to the political prisoners inside, further isolating them and undermining the will of those who are willing to fight for justice and human rights,' Mr Chu said. Ms Chow and her mother Medina were among eight people arrested for sedition under the Article 23 national security laws enacted in 2024, for allegedly using a Facebook page to 'advocate hatred' against the Chinese and Hong Kong government. Under Article 23, the police chief can apply for a magistrate's warrant to deny suspects arrested for alleged national security crimes access to a lawyer. The current proposal can be gazetted directly into law by the government, and then vetted by the legislature. REUTERS
