The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (July 29) launched an operation at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to combat illicit activities.
 
     As revealed by intelligence, some persons in custody of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre had grievances over the pandemic prevention measures enhanced by the institution management, such as increasing the frequency of cleaning and the compulsory requirement for persons in custody to wear filter masks, etc. These persons plotted to incite fellow persons in custody to engage in collective activities aimed at acting against the institution's management. The institution management immediately placed the activities of target persons in custody under monitoring.
 
     At 10.15am today, while 30 persons in custody of Dayroom 5B were proceeding to the exercise yard, one of the target persons in custody suddenly left the group and attempted to approach another dayroom and communicate with the persons in custody therein. An officer at the scene immediately stopped the act. Another five persons in custody of Dayroom 5B dashed to join the target person in custody to verbally abuse and provoke the officer. The situation was stirred up by other persons in custody at the scene. Reinforcements swiftly arrived and removed the six persons in custody involved from associating with others and put them under investigation.
 
     Intelligence also revealed that the target person in custody attempted to incite the sentiments of the fellow persons in custody by this incident. Following an assessment and detailed planning, the CSD instantly deployed Regional Response Teams, other reinforcement staff and the Dog Unit to reinforce Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre and conduct searches on the target persons in custody and their locations. Another 10 persons in custody who were suspected of being involved in illicit activities were removed from associating with others for investigation. The operation is still underway. The CSD will continue to closely monitor the development and the activities of the persons in custody concerned.
 
     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. Moreover, the CSD will keep reviewing the pandemic prevention measures in correctional facilities so as to ensure the safety of correctional officers and persons in custody.
 
     Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre is a maximum security institution for the detention of male adult persons in custody who are mostly on remand.

Ends/Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:48

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