Correctional Services Department combats illicit activities

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (November 21) launched an operation at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to combat illicit activities by persons in custody.

     In recent months, Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre has taken a series of operations against illicit trading of food among its remand persons in custody and, at around 8am today, placed two male remand persons in custody on disciplinary report for being in possession of unauthorised articles. The institution management then received intelligence that some persons in custody planned to organise collective illicit activities with a view to acting against the management, who immediately kept the development under close monitoring.

     At around 10.30am today, a total of 66 male remand persons in custody lodged a collective complaint demanding the management to rescind any disciplinary action against the aforementioned two male persons in custody. Following assessment and detailed planning, the CSD deployed reinforcements and resources to Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, including a regional response team, support teams and a dog unit, at 2pm today to conduct a surprise search on target locations and persons. During the operation, five remand persons in custody suspected of inciting fellow persons in custody to engage in collective illicit activities were removed from association with each other and put under investigation. The CSD will continue to closely monitor the development.

     In order to assist persons in custody to rehabilitate in a safe and orderly environment, the CSD spares no effort in combating illicit activities of all kinds in its institutions.

     Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre is a maximum security prison for the detention of male adult persons in custody who are mostly on remand.