CSD officers allegedly beat inmate, 14

An assistant correctional services officer has been suspended for allegedly attacking a teenage inmate at Pik Uk Correctional Institution.

It is reported that the inmate, who is only 14 years old, suffered from a bleeding wound to his anus and police officers from Tseung Kwan O district are probing the alleged assault and whether more officers are involved.

In response to The Standard, the Correctional Services Department said it received a complaint from the inmate's family members on Sunday, claiming he had been assaulted by an assistant officer II, prompting the department to call the police.

"The department referred the case to the police for follow-up investigation according to the existing mechanism on the same day and the officer has been suspended from duty," the department said.

"The CSD attaches great importance to the behavior and integrity of correctional services officers and has strict disciplinary requirements. The department has zero tolerance for any person violating the law and will handle the case in accordance with the law," it added.

The police stated that they received the case on Sunday and the investigation is still ongoing.

According to the Correctional Services Department, the Pik Uk Correctional Institution in Clear Water Bay is a maximum security institution established in 1975.

It is used to jail young male prisoners and can accommodate 385 inmates at most.

Deputy director of the Society for Community Organization Sze Lai-shan told The Standard yesterday that the Correctional Services Department should enhance training for its officers and install surveillance cameras in prisons to prevent similar incidents.

"Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras should be installed in prisons so that the department will be aware of what is going on. They can also check surveillance footage if any incident happens," she said.

Sze said cameras are usually installed in public areas in prisons, while the department should also send officers to inspect areas that are not covered by CCTV to prevent crime.

"The department could also require correctional services officers to work in pairs. If one of them assaults an inmate, the other colleague will be aware of that immediately," she said.

She added the department should also make efforts to protect young inmates.

Sze also said young inmates should scream for help immediately if they are assaulted in prisons and seek help from other correctional services officers.

They can also file a complaint against the attacker later, she said.