Only security level ‘over five-star’ for Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre after HK$5.5b rebuild: no.2 security chief

The security level of the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre is the only thing to be “over five-star” after the rebuild that has cost HK$5.5 billion, said Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip, as he hit back at criticism of government for building a “five-star prison”. 

His remark came in a Legislative Council meeting on Friday as the finance committee continued to vet the government’s application for HK$5.5 billion in funding. 

Cheuk said society has misunderstandings about the rebuild and stressed that the plan was proposed to address the actual operational needs without adding anything fancy. 

He also responded to earlier criticism by Election Committee constituency lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu that the government is building a “five-star prison”, saying the facilities at the reception center can in no way be compared to those of a five-star hotel. 

After the rebuild, the only rating that will be “over five-star” will be the security level of the center, Cheuk said. 

He added that it is not appropriate to compare the costs of a correctional facility to those of a hotel of a grade A office in the city. 

Cheuk also gave the example of the electric locks security system which costs some HK$360 million alone, covering about 1,200 gates, the cost of which ranges between HK$300,000 and HK$800,000 each. 

The no.2 security chief pointed out that the capacity of the reception center has been reaching 105 to 110 percent on a daily basis over the past three years. The ongoing overcrowded situation could easily lead to fights and affect discipline and order as well. 

The center also recorded over 900 disciplinary breaches in the past year, including 200 fights and six cases of inmates abusing themselves or committing suicide. 

The center and nearby surroundings pose a risk and are not in line with the modern standards of correctional facilities, Cheuk noted, hoping that the rebuild can improve management efficiency by introducing the “smart prison” system. 

Lo Wai-kwok, chairman of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, believes building a new reception center would cost less and be quicker. But Cheuk pointed out that prisons and detention centers are not facilities welcomed by communities and will therefore require persuasion and in-depth communication with residents. 

Kowloon Central constituency lawmaker Kitson Yang Wing-kit raised concerns on cybersecurity after several public bodies had their computer systems attacked. Cheuk acknowledged that those concerns exist and authorities will exercise caution when calling for tender and choosing the successful bidder.