$5.5b sought to redevelop overcrowded Lai Chi Kok facility

The government is asking for HK$5.5 billion to redevelop the overcrowded Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, with the proposal to be discussed by the Legco security panel on Tuesday.

According to the submission by the Security Bureau, the redevelopment plans to tear down five old premises and rebuild them into three new buildings.

The bureau cited the Correctional Service Department that the current capacity of the facility is 1,484 places, while the average penal population was 1,550 and 1,541 persons in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

"Although the capacity of the LCKRC has been increased to 1,484 places since 2012, it is still insufficient to cope with the persistently growing number of adult male remands," the bureau said.

"The overcrowded custodial environment not only affects the daily activity area of people in custody, but it also leads to conflicts among them, thereby affecting the institutional discipline and order," the bureau added.

Apart from the congested cell environment, ageing of the facilities also brings about challenges for management. The annex building, upon completion, will also tie in with the overall development of "smart prisons."

The expansion and improvement work is necessary to enhance the efficiency of prison management and cater for long-term development needs, the bureau added.

Additionally, various types of rehabilitation services - including psychological counselling, religious activities and social services for persons in custody - require sufficient space and well-maintained facilities.

Authorities also said it is difficult to replace the redevelopment of the LCKRC with other existing correctional institutions because of its nearness to urban areas and courts.

"Regardless of convenience for visitors and its proximity to court facilities in various districts, the LCKRC with such geographical advantages could hardly be replaced by other existing correctional institutions," said the bureau.

"Therefore, carrying out expansion and improvement works in the LCKRC is the most convenient and effective solution at present."

The submission also stated that the CSD has recommended to visiting Justices of the Peace the expansion and redevelopment projects 21 times since 2018.

The government plans to submit the funding proposal to Legco in the fourth quarter of this year. Completion of phase one of the redevelopment project is expected to be in the second quarter of 2025, while completion of phases two and three is expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2029 and the fourth quarter of 2031 respectively.

The LCKRC is a maximum security institution under the CSD and mainly accommodates male adult persons remanded in custody.