Over 500 in jail for NSL violations and involvement in 2019 protests

As of end-December last year, 522 people were jailed at the city’s correctional institutions for national security law violations and their involvement in the 2019 protests, a 26 percent jump from the figure recorded in the previous year, according to the Correctional Services Department.

The department said on Thursday that the average daily number of persons on remand pending trial last year had hit a decade high at 2,600 people, and is 15 percent more than the figure recorded in the previous year.

Meanwhile, around 13,000 people were taken into its facilities last year - a 13 percent decrease from the figure in 2021, the department added.

Separately, in view of the rising number of inmates who are male adults, the department said it is planning to expand the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to make extra room for 410 inmates, with the application for the funding to be submitted to the Legco mid-this year.