Formed 1879 Employees 6,659 | Jurisdiction Hong Kong | |
Headquarters 23rd, 24th and 27th Floors, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai Minister responsible Lai Tung-kwok, Secretary for Security Agency executives YAU Chi-chiu, Commissioner
LAM Kwok-leung, Deputy Commissioner | ||
Hong Kong Correctional Services (also called Correctional Services Department, CSD, 懲教署) is responsible for prisoners and prisons in Hong Kong. The Commissioner of Correctional Services reports to the Secretary for Security.
Contents
Although the Chief Magistrate (now Commissioner of Police (Hong Kong)) 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. Superintendent of Victoria Gaol was re-titled as Superintendent of Prisons, the department has been financially independent from the Hong Kong Police Force since 1921.
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.
Facilities
CSD has 29 facilities across Hong Kong ranging from maximum security prisons to rehabilitation centres.
Juvenile prisoners
As of 1997 there were four juvenile correctional facilities for males. Female juveniles were held at Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution, which housed females under age 21. At the time Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre and Sha Tsui Detention Centre also held male juveniles.
Crest
The current crest of the force was adopted in 1997 to replace most of the colonial symbols:
Weapons
CSD officers are trained in the use of, and can be issued, revolvers as lethal sidearms, the ASP expendable baton and the Sabre Red pepper spray are the standard less-than-lethal options; additionally a type of pepper gun and the rubber bullet rifle form the standard-issue equipment of the elite anti-riot team officers, known as the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT). Aside from handguns officers are also trained in the use of shoulder arms such as shotguns and rifles, however the long arms are rarely issued.
Revolvers are issued to staff escorting prisoners outside the prison, to those stationed in the watchtowers of the maximum security prisons. Other firearms are authorized for use under the observation of senior officers such as when prisoners escape from the prison, riot or when causing damage to the prison.