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Following is a question by the Hon Cyd Ho Sau-lan and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, in the Legislative Council today (June 18):
Question:
It has been reported that the Correctional Services Department has recently cancelled all night-time computer classes for inmates of correctional institutions on the grounds of the atypical pneumonia epidemic in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:
(a) of the number of staff members and inmates of the various correctional institutions and probation/residential homes under the Correctional Services Department and the Social Welfare Department who have been confirmed as or suspected of having contracted atypical pneumonia since March 10 this year;
(b) of the number and contents of the classes provided for inmates of correctional institutions and probation/residential homes that have been cancelled to prevent the spread of atypical pneumonia, the dates when the classes ceased, the number of inmates affected, as well as the arrangements made in respect of the inmates' scheduled class hours during the cessation of classes; and
(c) in addition to cancellation of classes for inmates, what other measures have the authorities adopted to prevent the spread of atypical pneumonia in correctional institutions and probation/residential homes; and whether they include special arrangements for visits to the inmates by their relatives?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Up to the present, none of the inmates of the correctional institutions of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) or the correctional/residential homes of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has contracted Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Nor is there any infected case among staff, except two members, one from CSD and another from SWD, who had contracted SARS during vacation leave. Both have already recovered.
At present, no staff or inmates of the various correctional institutions of CSD and correctional/residential homes of SWD is suspected of having contracted SARS.
(b) In a bid to prevent any possible spread of SARS into its institutions and to protect the safety of inmates, staff and visitors alike, CSD has introduced restrictions on access of non-departmental personnel since April. As a result, all evening education classes provided to the inmates by part-time teachers or volunteers from Non-Governmental Organisations have been suspended since April 15, 2003.
All education classes and vocational training courses provided to young offenders are not affected by this measure as all these are conducted by full-time CSD staff.
On the other hand, education classes for adult offenders are provided on a voluntary participation basis in the evening outside normal working hours. A total of 995 adult prisoners from various institutions have been affected by the above measure. A total of 71 classes have been suspended, with subjects including Chinese language, English language, mathematics and basic computer application. During the hours originally scheduled for the evening classes, these adult prisoners can still continue their educational pursuit by self-study and also approach CSD educational staff for advice.
CSD has been closely monitoring the SARS situation in Hong Kong and has decided to relax the restrictions by phases. All hobby classes, including computer classes, have resumed since June 9, 2003. Other evening educational classes for adult prisoners will resume after the summer vacation in July and August.
As regards the correctional/residential homes of SWD, preventive measures have been stepped up during the acute period of SARS. However, no classes were suspended as a result. Only a few minor adjustments to the content of the training activities were made. For example, cookery classes were substituted by handicraft lessons to avoid sharing of food, and demonstration using a dummy was given in beauty therapy workshops in lieu of student practice to prevent close body contacts.
(c) CSD and SWD have adopted the following precautionary measures in fighting against possible spread of SARS in their institutions and homes respectively -
CSD
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(i) Screening procedures such as temperature taking are followed upon the arrival of new inmates. All newly admitted inmates are accommodated at certain particular locations for a period of observation. Prompt medical consultation will be arranged if any inmate shows symptoms of SARS.
(ii) Appropriate protective gear such as facemasks, protective gowns and goggles are provided to the staff and inmates as may be necessary.
(iii) Prison areas, in particular areas open to the public, are cleansed and disinfected frequently.
(iv) Staff and inmates are updated with information on SARS and are reminded to observe good personal hygiene to prevent infection.
(v) In general, prison routines, including family visits, are conducted in the usual manner except that prison visitors are advised to have temperature taken and to wash their hands upon entering an institution, and to put on facemasks throughout their stay.
SWD
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(i) Every newly admitted resident is required to take body temperature and to be examined on possible symptoms of SARS. The homes will arrange immediate medical consultation and observation for residents with temperature and cough.
(ii) All the home staff and inmates are required to wear facemasks.
(iii) All the homes have stepped up cleansing work to ensure a hygienic environment, including cleaning facilities with bleach, placing sterilised mats at door entrances, providing liquid soap and paper towel in toilets, sterilising the cutlery in high temperature, opening the windows to enhance air circulation, etc.
(iv) The homes have arranged talks on SARS prevention and distributed leaflets to inmates to enhance their knowledge and awareness and to ensure personal hygiene.
(v) All visitors are required to take body temperature and wash their hands on entering the homes, and to wear facemasks during their stay. During the acute period of SARS, residents were encouraged to communicate with their families by telephone in order to minimise the chance of infection due to visits. Residents also agreed not to take home leave, unless absolutely necessary, to avoid community infection. In view of signs showing abatement of the outbreak, all homes have resumed normal arrangements for guardian visits and home leaves.
End/Wednesday, June 18, 2003
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