Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Quotation awarded for harbourfront event space in Hung Hom for short-term use      
     A two-envelope approach was adopted in the open quotation exercise, under which the weighting for the technical proposal was 70 per cent and price proposal was 30 per cent. A total of two quotations were received. Upon assessing the events and installations, availability of catering and entertainment facilities, and the night-time activities, etc proposed in the quotations, the quotation is awarded to BAML which attained the highest combined score for its technical and price proposals. The proposed price for the approximately three-year term is around $1.33 million.

     BAML proposes to transform the Pier site into a new attraction in the Victoria Harbour integrating diverse experiences. Over half of the area of the pier along the waterfront will be designated as public open space, providing visitors with panoramic views of the harbour and the stunning skyline of Hong Kong Island. The remaining area will mainly provide catering and entertainment facilities, including an iconic performance and exhibition venue at the tip of the Pier, which will be a multi-functional space supporting culture, arts and technology-related performances. Additionally, the land adjacent to the waterbody to the right of the Pier will be developed into a creative space along with a pet-friendly park. BAML will arrange various activities at the site, including art and technology exhibitions, open markets, music and movie shows, drone and light shows during nighttime, etc. BAML will also enhance the accessibility of the Pier to bring convenience to visitors.
      
     The total area of Pier site is approximately 1.8 hectares. The DEVB seeks to revitalise the Pier into an event and public space through the quotation exercise, prior to the long-term development of the Pier and the sites around the Hung Hom harbourfront areas. The basic improvement works at the site carried out by the Government have been substantially completed, and the site is being handed over to BAML for preparatory work. The target is to open the Pier to the public in phases starting from next month. Specific details will be announced by BAML in due course.
Issued at HKT 20:34

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Promulgation of Hong Kong Railway Standards and establishment of Railway Checking Unit by Highways Department to optimise implementation of railway projects through multipronged approach  
     In his address, Mr Yau remarked that, “The HyD is always committed to staying abreast of the times, optimising the implementation of railway projects and striving to construct railways in an efficient and robust manner. Capitalising on the opportunities brought by two cross-boundary railway projects, namely the Northern Link and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, we formulated the Hong Kong Railway Standards in collaboration with relevant government departments and railway experts. In addition to retaining the prevailing railway standards in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Railway Standards have introduced suitable railway standards of the Nation and various places in the world (including European Norm (EN), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)’s standards, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)’s standards and International Organization for Standardization (ISO)’s standards) with adaptation to local circumstances, as a result of detailed analyses and comparisons on the premise of ensuring railway safety, quality, and performance‑based outcomes.”
 
     He continued, “The new Hong Kong Railway Standards could facilitate the use of a broader selection of advanced construction technologies, construction materials, equipment, and railway systems for railway projects, provide clear technical specifications as the approval basis of the supervisory authorities, and also facilitate the development and optimisation of work processes by the industry. This move helps to leverage and introduce the extensive experience and world-leading technologies in railway construction of our nation, as well as the recognised standards in other parts of the world, with a view to driving the new railway projects of Hong Kong with enhanced speed and efficiency, and striving for shorter construction times and lower costs.”
 
     Under the Hong Kong Railway Standards, the industry could flexibly apply suitable standards to different railway projects on account of their individual needs and characteristics, after holistic consideration of factors such as cost-effectiveness, technical requirements, supply chain conditions, site environment and labour and machinery resources. The Standards encourage the use of innovative construction machinery, technologies and materials (such as use of larger or more extensive use of standardised prefabrication technology, high-strength structural steel and ultra-high-performance concrete), as well as advanced equipment and construction specifications (such as the model selection, design, construction, and control of tunnel boring machines).
 
     The benefits of Hong Kong Railway Standards can be summarised into four key highlights, namely:
 
(1) Keeping abreast of the times and embracing technology: promoting more unification and standardisation in different aspects of railway design, which would be conducive to introducing the latest construction technologies and advanced operating systems;
(2) Clear basis for expedited approval: providing a clear basis through introduction of more technical specifications for station design, construction equipment, rolling stock, construction methods, etc to help simplify and expedite approval processes;
(3) Diversified options and leveraging strengths: broadening options for construction materials, construction equipment and railway systems, which could enable better use of regional and local supply chains; and
(4) Optimising procedures for enhancing benefits: facilitate the industry in optimising construction procedures and enhance cost-effectiveness through provision of guidelines on construction procedures and recommendations on best practices.
 
     The electronic copy of the Hong Kong Railway Standards has been uploaded to the HyD’s website for public access
(www.hyd.gov.hk/en/technical_references/technical_document/railway_standards/index.html 
     To effectively implement the Hong Kong Railways Standards, the HyD redeployed internal resources to set up the RCU, with professionals including building surveyors, structural engineers and civil engineers as members. The RCU is dedicated to handling the approval for the building plans of new railway projects, and an electronic centralised approval platform is also established to facilitate the convenient submission of documents and approvals of building plans, thereby enhancing administrative efficiency. The RCU will be responsible for the approvals relating to various new railway projects, including the Northern Link, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) and new Smart and Green Mass Transit System projects.
 
     The performance target of the RCU is to substantially reduce the processing time frame for first plan submissions from 60 days to 30 days, and that for amendment plan submissions from 30 days to 21 days, with key performance indicators for completing no less than 90 per cent of the approval decisions of the plan submissions within the aforementioned time frame. Meanwhile, the RCU also includes a monitoring and intervention mechanism. If the RCU encounters a major issue that could not be resolved within 15 days, the matter would be escalated to an officer at the Assistant Director level for handling, so that senior officers could intervene in a timely manner and explore viable solutions. 
Issued at HKT 18:25

Correctional Services Department Annual Review 2025  
Foreword
 
     Looking back at the year 2025, the CSD revised its vision, mission and values with the inclusion of “safeguarding national security” in its mission, and the inclusion of “patriotism” in its values, reflecting the CSD’s sheer determination to safeguard national security and instil a sense of patriotism with affection for our country and Hong Kong. We continued to uphold the spirit of “adhering to the law and adopting a people-oriented approach” to ensure a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment behind the prison walls, while providing persons in custody with diversified and appropriate rehabilitation services. Meanwhile, we have been promoting crime prevention through community education beyond prison walls, with a view to nurturing young people, the future pillars of our society, into law-abiding citizens.
 
(A) Implementing timely arrangements to alleviate the challenges arising from the changes in penal population
 
(1) Penal Population: Changes and Challenges
 
     In 2025, the number of admissions to correctional institutions (including convicted persons, remands and detainees) increased 3 per cent to 18 990 as compared with 2024. In addition, the average daily penal population at correctional institutions also increased significantly to 10 315 persons in 2025 from 9 550 persons in 2024, representing an increase of 8 per cent. The average daily occupancy rate also rose from 85 per cent to 92 per cent.
     
     The year-on-year rate of increase in the average daily number of remands has been 15 per cent or above since 2021. The respective number of persons stood high at 4 217 in 2025, representing an increase of nearly 16 per cent as compared with 3 650 persons in 2024, which hit a new record high since 2000.
     
     On the other hand, since 2021, the CSD has assisted in the detention of adult detainees who are non-Hong Kong residents detained under the Immigration Ordinance. The number of admissions of detainees increased by 13 per cent, from 787 in 2024 to 888 in 2025, while the average daily number of detainees increased by 6 per cent from 318 in 2024 to 338 in 2025.
     
     The increasing number of new admissions and the growing penal population, especially the rising number of remands, not only resulted in overcrowding in reception centres but also led to a corresponding increase in the number of cases of acts of indiscipline committed by persons in custody.
     
     In 2025, the number of disciplinary charges against persons in custody was 6 523. Counted against the penal population, there were 632 disciplinary cases per 1 000 persons in custody, representing an increase of 11 per cent as compared with an average of 568 cases over the past 10 years. These cases involved a total of 3 601 persons in custody, representing an increase of 189 persons, or 6 per cent as compared with 3 412 persons in 2024.
 
(2) Making long-term development planning through flexible deployment of resources
 
     In response to the ever-changing penal population, especially the increasing population of remands, the CSD has deployed part of the capacity of individual correctional institutions to admit remands in order to alleviate the overcrowding situation of reception centres. Meanwhile, the Department has already commenced the in-situ partial redevelopment of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to increase its capacity for admitting adult male remands in the long run. The Department will continue to closely monitor the changes in the penal population and adjust the admission capacity for remands in a timely manner through flexible deployment of resources to meet actual operational needs.
 
(3) Refining and strictly enforcing laws
 
     Last July, the CSD worked in full alignment with the Government to amend the Prison Rules, with a view to strengthening the overall law enforcement effectiveness of the Department, incorporating elements of safeguarding national security into the legislation, and ensuring that the relevant legislation better meets the needs of modern correctional management.
     
     Upholding the spirit of “adhering to the law”, institutional staff continued to strictly enforce the law, and strived to combat all kinds of acts of indiscipline to maintain the good order and discipline of the institutions.
     
     With regard to intercepting the smuggling of dangerous drugs into institutions, the Department last year incorporated the emerging drug etomidate into the Narcotics and Explosives Detection and Identification System, thereby enhancing the efficacy of intercepting the smuggling of dangerous drugs into correctional institutions and strengthening the deterrent effect. Thanks to the concerted efforts of all staff in intercepting dangerous drugs, there were only five seizure cases of suspected dangerous drugs last year, similar to the six cases in 2024. All the five cases were found in body-cavity concealment of newly admitted persons in custody.
     
     In addition, the Department continued to take a proactive approach by conducting a total of 12 688 joint search/special search/night raid operations in correctional institutions last year, covering 21 001 locations. The Regional Response Team carried out a total of five operations last year to support the security work of correctional institutions, which involved the handling of incidents like fights among persons in custody and assaults on staff. 
 
(4) Enhancing response capabilities through strengthening exchanges and collaboration
 
     In spite of maintaining good order and discipline in correctional institutions effectively through stringent law enforcement last year, the Department remained highly vigilant against any risks of disrupting institutional management and undermining social stability as well as national security. Dedicated efforts were made to foster regional exchanges and collaboration, with a view to continuously enhancing the response capabilities of correctional personnel.
     
     Early last year, the Department organised the first Greater Bay Area Correctional Services Tactical Skills Competition, inviting seven teams from correctional counterparts in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to participate. Through the competition, correctional officers in the GBA were allowed to learn from each other and enhanced their tactical skills and emergency response capabilities. The event also enhanced exchanges and collaboration in correctional services in the GBA, facilitating joint promotion of the professional development in the area.
     
     At the end of last month, the CSD further established the Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy to provide professional and systematic tactics training for staff of correctional institutions and law enforcement agencies from the Mainland, Hong Kong and overseas. The founding of the Academy is of milestone significance. It not only highlights the role of Hong Kong as a hub linking correctional institutions and law enforcement agencies from different jurisdictions, but also institutionalises and regularises exchanges and sharing of response tactics between the CSD and other correctional counterparts from around the world, thereby enhancing each other’s professionalism and capabilities in handling emergencies.
 
(B) Continuously enhancing custodial facilities and services on the basis of a people-oriented approach
 
     Notwithstanding the pressure brought about by the increasing penal population, the Department remained steadfast in adopting a people-oriented approach and multipronged strategies, with a view to ensuring a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment, and keeping modes of services up to date to meet the expectations of the public.
 
(1) Continuously carrying out facilities improvement works to cope with extreme weather
 
     To cope with very hot weather, in 2025, the Department continued to carry out facilities improvement works in order to improve air ventilation in correctional institutions. Last year, the Department replaced and installed a total of 1 800 fans of different types in various correctional institutions, including introducing large standing industrial fans, bringing the total number of fans in all correctional institutions to over 17 500.  As well, the Department continued to proactively optimise the architectural design in collaboration with the Architectural Services Department. For example, new types of grille gates and windows with better ventilation were installed in Stanley Prison to effectively enhance the natural convection inside buildings. In addition, correctional institutions have been progressively making use of innovative technologies like solar control films and cooling coatings, etc, to lower the indoor temperature. The relevant technologies have been applied to 21 and six correctional institutions respectively.
 
(2) Extending telemedicine consultations to enhance medical benefits
 
     On healthcare service for persons in custody, the CSD has been working closely with the Hospital Authority (HA) to proactively extend the coverage of telemedicine consultation services. As at 2025, the psychiatric telemedicine consultation service has covered 16 public hospitals and clinics, whereas the medicine telemedicine consultation service has covered seven public hospitals. Such services have also been extended to orthopedics areas, including Tuen Mun Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Caritas Medical Centre and Queen Mary Hospital. In 2025, 1 134 telemedicine consultations were arranged for persons in custody, an increase of 63.6 per cent when compared to 693 in 2024. Moreover, in collaboration with the HA, the Department continued to enhance the visiting specialist services by installing the HA’s Clinical Management System in different correctional institutions, so as to facilitate the access to the medical history and treatment records of persons in custody by the HA’s visiting specialists via this electronic platform, thereby strengthening the clinical operation of visiting specialists in correctional institutions and further enhancing the medical and healthcare services for persons in custody.
 
(3) Applying innovation and technology to optimise management operations
 
     To further the development of Smart Prison, the Department continued to enhance the application of innovation and technology in correctional facilities last year to raise management and operational efficiency, and strengthen capabilities in handling emergencies. For example, the Passage Surveillance System 2.0 was launched in Lo Wu Correctional Institution and the Smart Health Sensing System 2.0 was installed in institution hospitals.
     
     Moreover, in June last year, a Technology Showcase was held jointly with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation in the Penal Lab set up at the former Cape Collinson Correctional Institution. It showcased innovation and technology projects in various areas including AI, low-altitude logistics, renewable energy, food waste recycling, video analysis and three-dimensional (3D) mapping. Among these proposed projects, the four most suitable ones with the greatest potential were selected for site trials in correctional institutions.
     
     In addition, the Department fully launched the Video Visit e-Booking Service at the end of last year. Visitors can, in accordance with their actual needs, make online bookings for video visits at one of the five Multi-purpose Family and Rehabilitation Service Centres in Mong Kok, Shau Kei Wan, Sheung Shui, Tuen Mun and Sha Tin, or at the Lai Chi Kok Video Visit Centre. The service provides visitors with more convenient and people-oriented visiting arrangements.
 
(C) Transforming lives on all fronts through rehabilitation
 
     To foster a more caring and inclusive society, the CSD enhanced its rehabilitation work on all fronts in 2025, with a view to assisting persons in custody to turn over a new leaf and become contributing members of society upon reintegration into daily life outside the prison.
 
(1) Promoting Chinese culture and enhancing national identity
 
     Apart from continuously addressing the special rehabilitation needs of persons in custody involved in the black-clad violence and contravening the Hong Kong National Security Law/Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the Department launched a number of rehabilitation programmes under Project PATH to help them gain a comprehensive understanding of Chinese traditional culture and enhance their sense of national identity. Furthermore, these programmes were extended to cover other suitable persons in custody to enhance their knowledge of Chinese traditional culture, foster good character and moral education. For example, in mid‑2025, the Department invited former Vice-chairperson of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Dr Maria Tam, to deliver talks on the rule of law and safeguarding national security law in Hong Kong to persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution and persons in custody of the Ethics College at the Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution. The talks were livestreamed to other persons in custody of the Ethics College at other correctional institutions and those institutions for young persons in custody, enabling them to watch the talks simultaneously and participate in the question and answer session, thereby strengthening their awareness of both law‑abidingness and national security. The Department also sought to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and history, and national development and transformation in a lively way, for e.g. organising patriotic film screenings and essay competitions to guide them to reflect on their past and establish positive values.
     
     For rehabilitated persons under statutory supervision, the Department not only arranges for young supervisees to visit thematic exhibitions at the Patriotic Education Centre from time to time, but also invites members from various sectors of the community to join them in volunteer services that allow them to experience Chinese culture and ethics, enabling rehabilitated persons to give back to society while fostering good character and moral ethics.
 
(2) Developing diversified rehabilitation programmes through enhancing research capability
 
     The Department has been striving to expand and enhance its capability in evidence-based research in collaboration with external organisations, in order to develop diversified rehabilitation programmes and psychological correction methods.
     
     In September last year, the CSD held the Desistance from Crime: Correctional Research and Practice Professional Seminar to disseminate the findings of a study on desistance from crime jointly conducted with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, which identified three factors crucial in helping rehabilitated persons start anew, namely offering diverse learning opportunities, expanding positive social support networks, and nurturing and sustaining personal competence, self-identity and constructive interpersonal relationships. The research also indicated that the rehabilitation programmes of the CSD not only help reduce recidivism among rehabilitated persons but also support them in giving back to society, thereby gradually transforming their lives. In addition, the Department launched an innovative community-based rehabilitation initiative based on the desistance theory – “Human Library: Desistance from Crime”, with a view to helping rehabilitated persons review their life stories and cultivate a positive lifestyle.
     
     Since the launch of the Rehabilitation Dog Services in 2024, drawing upon the practical experience gained from female institutions, the services have been further extended to a number of male institutions since mid-2025 in order to help male persons in custody alleviate their negative emotions and promote their psychological well-being. The Department has also implemented the Rehabilitation Dog Services Internship Programme at Phoenix House, enabling halfway house trainees to develop a sense of responsibility through taking care of rehabilitation dogs. They have also been arranged to visit the elderly to give back to society and promote social inclusiveness. The intervention level of rehabilitation dogs has been raised from a personal level to the family level, thereby fostering the emotional connection between trainees and their parents, deepening mutual trust as well as improving their parent-child relationships. The statistical figures and research findings on the effectiveness of the animal-assisted therapy for persons in custody will be compiled and released in the future, and the Department also plans to extend the services to other groups of offenders.
     
     The Department launched the Jockey Club Project ReBond in October last year, which is a three-year collaborative initiative to provide one-stop rehabilitation services for persons in custody serving sentences of less than one year, covering both their incarceration and post-release periods. The services include assessments by professional social workers in institutions, personal growth group activities, employment assistance and continuous follow-ups after the persons’ in custody release from correctional institutions. The project applies the theory of desistance, extending services from correctional institutions to the community to reduce recidivism among rehabilitated persons. The Department will collaborate with the University of Hong Kong to conduct a three-year study to track the rehabilitation situation of service users after their release and collect empirical data, with a view to optimising the future rehabilitation and crime prevention work.
     
     Many studies show that sport activities play an active role in fostering a positive lifestyle. Seizing the opportunity arising from the 15th National Games jointly organised by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao last year, the CSD invited a number of Hong Kong elite athletes, including local fencing and cycling athletes who have won medals in international games, to take part in rehabilitation activities with persons in custody. With ample energy and positive power, the athletes helped persons in custody and rehabilitated persons grow and transform, and appealed to the public to support rehabilitation work.
 
(3) Keeping education and vocational training up to date to enhance opportunities for upward mobility
 
     On education, to further assist graduates of the Ethics College who have obtained the Diploma of Applied Education to pursue higher qualifications, a two-year full-time Associate of General Studies distance programme was organised in the Ethics College in September 2024 to provide persons in custody with an option for further studies. Meanwhile, the CSD has also extended the Ethics College to the Pik Uk Prison to provide a half-day Associate of General Studies programme and half-day vocational training for graduates of the Ethics College who are unable to complete the associate degree programme during the remainder of their sentences.
     
     On vocational training, in 2025, the Department provided 13 market-oriented vocational training courses to young persons in custody, and 45 vocational training courses with more than 1 800 training places, an increase of 100 places as compared with 2024, for lawfully residing adult persons in custody who are due for discharge within 24 months and eligible for employment to enrol on a voluntary basis.
     
     On correctional services industries, early last year, the Department launched Made in Prison (MIP), an online charity gift sales platform under the Correctional Services Department Sports Association to sell products designed and made by persons in custody, and progressively set up a number of offline sales locations. All proceeds from the sale of MIP products, after deducting necessary costs, will be donated to various local registered charities, providing persons in custody with opportunities to contribute to the community, while benefitting local charities. In addition, the development of MIP is conducive to developing value-added skills among persons in custody, such as creative design, brand management and marketing knowledge. In particular, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in February last year, the Department successfully introduced PolyU’s patented technology for making 3D printing materials with spent coffee grounds. A 3D printing material workshop has been established in Stanley Prison for producing various kinds of limited-edition products using the upcycled material of spent coffee grounds. This not only injects more innovative green elements into MIP, but also enables persons in custody to learn more new skills and industry knowledge.
 
(4) Achieving fruitful results through concerted efforts
 
     Summarising last year’s statistical figures on various aspects, the rehabilitation work of the CSD achieved fruitful results.
     
     Last year, the overall passing rate of public examinations taken by persons in custody remained stable at 88.5 per cent (87.2 per cent and 89.6 per cent for adult and young persons in custody respectively). One person in custody scored the highest result, with 20 marks overall in five subjects under the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination. Another three met the general entrance requirements for local universities. Moreover, 15 persons in custody were awarded Bachelor’s degrees.
     
     Last year, the overall passing rate of vocational training examinations taken by persons in custody was 99.9 per cent (99.9 per cent and 100 per cent for adult and young persons in custody respectively). Their employment rates after six months of the employment follow-up period upon release were 83.5 per cent and 75 per cent respectively.
     
     Over the past approximately 20 years, based on the year of discharge, Hong Kong’s recidivism rate (the percentage of readmission of local persons in custody to correctional institutions following conviction for a new offence within two years after discharge) has recorded a significant decrease from 39.9 per cent in 2000 to 22.4 per cent in 2023. The hard-won result reflects the perseverance and hard work of correctional officers, the firm determination of persons in custody and rehabilitated offenders to turn over a new leaf, as well as the support for offender rehabilitation from all sectors of the community.
 
(D) Promoting community education in an innovative way
 
     Last year, the CSD renamed its Rehabilitation Pioneer Project, which encompasses a series of community education activities, and its youth uniformed group Rehabilitation Pioneer Leaders to the Correctional Services Pioneer Project (CSPP) and Correctional Services Pioneer Leaders (CSPL) respectively in order to fully reflect the CSD’s relationship with these community education initiatives and their unique professional characteristics, marking a new milestone for the Department in its community education efforts.
 
(1) Adopting an innovative approach to enhance national security and moral education
 
     To raise public awareness of safeguarding national security, the CSD utilised its unique resources to produce two national security education microfilms, namely “Momentary Glory” and “Unfailing Love”. Adapted from real cases, the microfilms feature stories of teenagers who were incited to commit illegal acts endangering national security and paid a heavy price in the end. The two microfilms have been uploaded to the official media platforms of the CSD and the Education Bureau for educational purposes. One of the microfilms was premiered at the youth forum on national security education organised by the Department last April to convey messages on national security and law-abidingness to over 1 000 participating secondary school students and members of youth uniformed groups.
     
     Moreover, the Department collaborated with the Sik Sik Yuen to produce an animation series, which was arranged for screening during the launch ceremony for the animations and carnival held in April last year at Wong Tai Sin Temple. The animations, which contain elements of national security and Chinese traditional moral values, aim to enable the public, especially young people, to obtain a better understanding of national security in a fun way, help them appreciate the wisdom of traditional Chinese culture and enhance personal cultivation, and foster their recognition of upholding the law and integrity.
 
(2) Combating emerging drugs through diversified publicity
 
     In response to a growing trend in the spread of the emerging drug etomidate abuse among young people, and following the Government’s publication in the Gazette of the listing of etomidate as a dangerous drug in February last year, the CSD invited over 300 teachers and students from 10 schools in March to attend the anti-drug themed “Creative and Rehabilitation” drama and music performance by persons in custody in Stanley Prison. With persons in custody as the main cast, the drama disseminated to the attending students the harmful effects of taking etomidate and the heavy price of drug trafficking. The Department also arranged for a person in custody addicted to drugs and imprisoned for drug trafficking to share his own experience and remind students not to break the law. The Action Committee Against Narcotics also for the first time set up booths in the event to explain to students the information about the harmful effects of taking drugs, the criminal liabilities for drug offences and the ways of seeking help.
     
     In mid-2025, the Department further launched a new series of anti-drug videos called “Drugs plague lives – loved ones bear the pain”. Based on real-life cases, the videos adopted the dual perspectives of drug traffickers and their family members to reveal the profound impact of drugs on both offending individuals and their families. The Narcotics Division and the Education Bureau were invited to share the videos on their respective online platforms.
 
(3) Enhancing experiential training to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for our country and Hong Kong
 
     To further expand the coverage of the CSPL in the community, the Department continued a school-based programme to provide on-campus training. Currently, a total of seven schools have joined the school-based programme, and the total number of CSPL trainees has exceeded 700, representing an increase of 16 per cent as compared to that at the end of 2024. The training model for CSPL has also become more diversified, with greater emphasis on experiential learning. For example, CSPL trainees were arranged to undertake internships in Huizhou, conduct in-depth visits to the Hope Towns in Yan’an and Nanjiang, serve as volunteers at the 15th National Games and participate in the opening and closing ceremonies. These initiatives aim to enhance CSPL trainees’ understanding of the nation’s developments and achievements in various fields through personal experiences, thereby strengthening their sense of national identity.
     
     In 2025, a total of more than 39 000 youth participants joined the various CSPL activities.
     
(E) Pursuing future development along four major directions of work
 
     To sum up, the CSD achieved fruitful results in various areas of work in 2025. This year, we look forward to numerous opportunities despite all the challenges ahead. The Department will uphold an innovative spirit by introducing four major directions of work. We will continue to launch new initiatives in the areas of regional collaboration, custodial management, rehabilitation and community education, with a view to shaping the CSD as an internationally acclaimed correctional service.
 
(1) Playing the role of an international link and promoting professional exchanges
 
     Capitalising on Hong Kong’s distinct advantages of enjoying firm support from the motherland while being closely connected to the world, the CSD will continue to serve well its role as an international link between correctional counterparts from the Mainland and overseas. Through promoting professional exchanges and regional collaboration, we will consolidate Hong Kong’s status as a hub for exchanges connecting correctional services in the GBA as well as the world. 
     
     Following the establishment of the Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy last month, which provides correctional practitioners from the Mainland and worldwide with systematic tactics training with professional accreditation, and building on the successful experience of organising the first Greater Bay Area Correctional Services Tactical Skills Competition last year, the Department is actively discussing with correctional agencies in the region the organisation of the second competition. The Department plans to invite correctional institutions from other Mainland provinces and cities and overseas to form visiting teams to participate in the competition. It is hoped that through exchanges during the competition, we can strengthen mutual learning experiences and enhance officers’ skills levels in handling emergencies, thereby further fostering the professional connection and development of correctional services in the GBA.
 
     As well, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Psychological Services Section of the CSD. To celebrate this occasion, the Department will hold a large-scale seminar by the end of this year.  Academics, psychological professionals and stakeholders from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas will be invited to participate in the seminar to share their insights in counselling work and their research findings, through which continuous enhancement can be made to various rehabilitation programmes and crime prevention work.
 
(2) Utilising innovation and technology to strengthen management effectiveness
 
     To tie in with the Government’s policy objective of “further enhancing governance” and enhance the development of the Smart Prison concept, the Department will continue to be proactive in introducing various types of innovative technologies to raise operational efficiency, enhance institutional security and optimise its public services.
     
     Internally, the Automatic Drone Patrol and Monitoring System 2.0 will be installed in six maximum security institutions. Based on the first-generation automatic drone patrol technology, an automated drone dock is added to the system, which enables the drone to take off and land autonomously and patrol along preset routes without manual intervention. The new system also provides support beyond visual line of sight flight which allows the drone to patrol beyond the operator’s visual line of sight, thereby expanding patrol coverage. Not only can the project enhance institutional security, it also effectively raises operational efficiency of institutions.
     
     In addition, with reference to the past data and adopting an innovative mindset, we have collaborated with the Digital Policy Office (DPO) since 2025 to analyse big data using algorithms on a trial basis to help correctional staff identify groups of persons in custody which have higher risks of participating in illegal gambling. In view of the satisfactory trial results, we will continue to carry out collaborative studies with the DPO to construct related AI models, with a view to assisting the Department in enhancing the effectiveness of its enforcement efforts against persons’ in custody participation in illegal activities.
     
     Externally, in view of the positive responses to the Video Visit e-Booking Service implemented at the end of last year, the Department plans to install the Smart Visitor Management System in Lo Wu Correctional Institution on a trial basis. Declared visitors of persons in custody may, through the visitor self-registration kiosk newly installed at the visitor registration counter, complete identity verifications and visit registrations on a self-service basis to reduce waiting times. Apart from enhancing the operational efficiency of institutions, the measure offers visitors a more convenient visiting experience.  
 
(3) Providing innovative rehabilitation services based on the desistance theory
 
     Drawing on the research findings of the desistance theory published last year, the Department seeks to provide more comprehensive assistance to persons in custody to turn over a new leaf and reintegrate into society, thereby reducing their recidivism rates. In the future, the Department will actively launch more strength-based rehabilitation programmes and continue to extend its services beyond the prison walls, providing ongoing support to rehabilitated persons, with a view to achieving its goal of crime desistance.
     
     To address the needs of young persons in custody, the Department will collaborate with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to establish the first rehabilitation youth football team. In addition to providing systematic football training to young offenders while they are serving their sentences, arrangements will be made for them to continue to receive regular training and participate in matches upon reintegration into society. Through sports activities, participants will be encouraged to cultivate healthy hobbies, discover personal interests, potential and strengths, and expand positive social networks, thereby helping them regain positive lives and stay away from the cycle of crime.
     
     As for adult persons in custody, apart from the plan to organise a Bachelor in General Studies programme in the Ethics College in the third quarter of this year to provide a study pathway for those who have completed the associate degree programme to attain a bachelor’s degree during incarceration, the Department will step up its efforts in incorporating applied technology and AI elements into its vocational training. For example, a certificate in AI knowledge and application programme, and courses on smart logistics management and smart retail management will be organised to enable trainees to acquire knowledge and skills that meet the employment market trends.
     
     On the other hand, having regard to the special characteristics of female persons in custody, the Department will, in collaboration with an NGO, launch an advanced cooking training and instructor-matching programme at Lo Wu Correctional Institution, with a view to helping them enhance personal strengths and remake their life planning. Through the training, female persons in custody will not only acquire advanced cooking knowledge and skills, but also be given professional advice on psychological counselling and life planning. They will also be offered internship opportunities in the catering industry and provided with continuous career development support upon discharge, so that they can start anew by leveraging their strengths.
     
     These strength-based rehabilitation programmes aim to provide persons in custody with diverse learning opportunities, through which they can acquire high value-added knowledge and skills, enhance their self-identity and strive for continuous improvement, thereby further enhancing their employability and opportunities for upward mobility. Together with positive social support networks, their determination to rehabilitate will stay strong, and eventually they can succeed in breaking the vicious cycle of reoffending.
 
     On the other hand, the Correctional Rehabilitation Research Unit of the CSD will keep reviewing the application and effectiveness of the desistance theory through evidence-based research, including a phase-two quantitative study on desistance from crime planned to be conducted jointly with a local university, and a three-year tracking study on the Jockey Club Project ReBond launched in mid-2025, with a view to ensuring the rehabilitation programmes of the CSD are effective and up to date.
 
(4) Promoting national education to foster a strong sense of belonging to our country
 
     Safeguarding national safety is one of the core duties of the CSD. In addition to guarding the last element of the criminal justice system through professional law enforcement, the Department will continue its proactive effort in promoting national security and national education.
     
     The Department plans to extend the Project PATH designed for persons in custody in correctional institutions to include supervisees after discharge, continuously promoting the three major rehabilitation directions of the project, namely understanding Chinese history and strengthening national education, psychological reconstruction and re-establishment of values, and life planning and rebuilding of family relationships, beyond the prison walls. In addition, since early this month, the Department has been proactive in organising exchange tours on the Mainland for supervisees to enable them to obtain an understanding of national affairs, witness the latest national developments, enrich their knowledge of Chinese culture and enhance their sense of national identity, thereby further fostering their affection for and sense of belonging to our country.
     
     Apart from the work targeting persons in custody, the Department will, through community anti-crime education, continue its proactive efforts in nurturing young people into a new generation with law-abiding awareness and an affection for our country and Hong Kong. The Department aims to enable young people to obtain a thorough understanding of the overall national development and broaden their international horizons. The Department will continue to arrange for young people to visit the Mainland for exchanges and internships through which they can learn about Chinese history and culture and witness the latest national developments. In addition, they will be arranged to visit Belt and Road (B&R) countries to enhance international exchanges and enable them to gain a better understanding of the multiple meanings of the B&R Initiative and the role played by Hong Kong, thereby enhancing their affection for and sense of belonging to our country.
 
(F) Conclusion
 
     It is believed that the four major directions of work, together with various new initiatives, will help us turn challenges into opportunities amid an ever-changing environment, not only facilitating the sustainable development of the Department but also making solid contributions to national security and social stability.
Issued at HKT 16:30

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Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products (with photo)      
     Customs officers intercepted a 29-year-old incoming female passenger and a 35-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on December 18, 2025, and seized about 85 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes with a market value of about $385,000 and a duty potential of about $283,000, as well as six alternative smoking products with an estimated market value of about $1,080 from their personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. 
      
     The two passengers were sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment and fined $500 in contravention of the DCO, and were sentenced to one week’s imprisonment in contravention of the IEO today. The sentences run concurrently.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
      
     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 15:33

Firing practice for March 2026————————————-