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Following is a question by the Hon Leung Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (November 2):
Question:
I have received complaints about the different treatments to male and female prisoners by the Correctional Services Department. For example, it is more difficult to obtain approval for additional visits to female prisoners; in the case of a married couple who are both prisoners, only the wife is allowed to visit the husband; and female prisoners generally work longer hours. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the differences in treatment to male and female prisoners in respect of visits and working hours;
(b) whether it has assessed if such differences violate the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480), and whether improvements will be made; and
(c) whether it provides an adequate supply of personal hygiene items, including sanitary napkins and soap, for female prisoners according to their physiological needs; if not, of the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a)
Visits to Prisoners
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Under Rule 48, Prison Rules (Cap 234A), the relatives and friends of a prisoner are allowed to visit him/her twice a month and no more than three visitors shall be allowed at one time. The Correctional Services Department (CSD) applies this rule equally on both male and female prisoners. CSD will consider a prisoner's request for additional visits on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors like urgent family matters and health problems. The gender of the requesting prisoner is not a factor for consideration.
In arranging visits between two prisoners who are close relatives, CSD normally escorts the one of lower security category and/or with better institutional behaviour to visit the other. Again, the gender of the prisoners concerned is not a factor for consideration.
Working Hours of Prisoners
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In accordance with Prison Rules 38 and 43, all prisoners, irrespective of gender, are required to engage in useful work no less than six hours and no more than 10 hours daily. And in accordance with Prison Rule 44, no work shall be done by prisoners beyond what is strictly necessary on Sundays and certain holidays. In general, all penal institutions follow similar daily routine and therefore the working hours of prisoners are also similar. Depending on the types of work assigned, there may be minor difference in the working hours of prisoners in different institutions and/or within the same institution. In any case, gender is not a factor in determining prisoners' working hours.
(b) As can be seen from (a) above, the present arrangements for visits to prisoners and work in penal institutions do not violate the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480).
(c) CSD provides prisoners with adequate daily necessities (including personal hygiene items) appropriate to gender. On reasonable requests, CSD will provide prisoners with additional quantities of such necessities. Besides, prisoners may use their earnings from work to purchase canteen items (including personal hygiene items) in the penal institutions twice a month.
Ends/Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:15
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