Prisoner concern group offers emotional support: founder

A prisoners concern group offers humanitarian support to inmates and does not aim to “build up force” inside prisons, a founder said.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said yesterday that some inmates cooperated with groups outside prison to gain followers and added that this could endanger national security. He also accused the groups of encouraging inmates to continue resistance, and said something as small as chocolates may be used as bait to attract support.

Former lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun, who founded the group Wall-fare, said letters were sent to prisoners to share religious beliefs and offer emotional support. As for “resistance”, he said that this can mean resisting one's fate instead of Tang's interpretation – that people should continue the unrest.

Shiu said the group will continue its work, but will look into how to avoid misunderstanding on the part of authorities.

Last week, the Correctional Services Department cracked down on disobedience of inmates at Lo Wu Correctional Institution, including former district councilor Tiffany Yuen Ka-wai.