*********************************************************
The Correctional Services Department would spare no effort in stemming illegal activities including gambling in penal institutions, a department spokeswoman said today (September 25).
The spokeswoman said that Stanley Prison security officers conducted a special search of a shoe-making workshop last Tuesday night (September 19) and found 76 suspected soccer betting notes.
The total amount of betting involved was estimated to be 6,634 packs of cigarettes, valued at around $600,000 at black market exchange rate.
"Based on this discovery, prisoners at the workshop will be closely monitored while investigative action is under way," the spokeswoman said.
She said gambling in any form was strictly prohibited inside penal institutions. "We have spared no effort to detect and clamp down on any illicit activities inside penal institutions," she said.
"Last week's seizure at Stanley Prison pointed to the fact that our actions have been successful in stemming gambling or other illicit activities in prisons.
"Staff members will continue to closely monitor prisoners' activities physically and through CCTV and collation of intelligence.
"Apart from withholding newspaper supplements containing horse racing/soccer betting odds before distribution to prisoners, there are also surprise searches and raids.
"Also, those prisoners who are known to have intention of getting involving in gambling activities will be assigned to different workshops/dormitories," the spokeswoman said.
In 2005, a total of 169 prisoners were disciplined for their involvement in gambling activities. The penalties meted out included forfeiture of remission of 2,779 days, separate confinement of 2,203 days, forfeiture of privileges of 2,203 days and deprivation of earnings of 2,436 days.
Ends/Monday, September 25, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:45
NNNN
