Excessive Force in Inmates Fight Revealed Poor Prison Management

Violence involving inmates at Lantau's Ma Po Ping Prison sparked the review on the Justices' of the Peace system which monitored prison operations.

19 inmates and 3 staff from the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were injured during the July 27 incident. The CSD officers were accused of using excessive force in suppressing the fight between mainland and local inmates. Therefore, an independent committee was set up by the CSD to investigate the fight. Whereas for the allegation on CSD officers assaulting inmates, were under investigation of the police.

Not only did this incident reveal the possible excessive use of violence in prisons, but also reflected the poor prison management by the CSD staff, leading to the incompetence in avoiding possible fights among inmates.

September 1998