An 18-year-old male inmate on remand at Pik Uk (Prison) Correctional Institution is suspected to have been assaulted on multiple occasions by several Correctional Services Department (CSD) staff members and fellow inmates, resulting in anal lacerations and rectal injuries. The case was heard at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Jan. 19, 2024.
Tony Chung Hon-lam, former convener of “Studentlocalism,” and Wong Yat-chin, former convener of “Student Politicism,” who had both been detained in Pik Uk Correctional Institution, recently commented on social media that the incident was just the tip of the iceberg. They claim that numerous cases of violent abuse occur within the confines of the prison. Mr. Chan, former secretary-general of “Student Politicism,” recalled instances where CSD staff allegedly conducted punishment in a room devoid of closed-circuit television (CCTV). He brought attention to these abuses when the chief officer (CO) visited the institution, but there was no follow-up.
Mr. Chung, who is currently in the UK seeking political asylum, wrote an article on Jan. 18, detailing disturbing practices within Hong Kong correctional facilities. He reveals that the CSD staff select certain inmates to serve as “B boys” (little brothers) and task them with managing various inmate affairs, such as assigning daily cleaning routines, room allocation, and newcomers orientation, among others. In return, they enjoy certain privileges. For example, each newcomer is required to surrender a certain amount of their daily necessities or snacks to the designated “B boys.”
Mr. Chung recounts the harrowing experience of a young political prisoner at Pik Uk Correctional Institution, who was deemed “not clever enough” by the B-boy and suffered relentless abuse, which escalated into sexual assault. The juvenile prisoner was repeatedly coerced by the “B boys” and other South Asian inmates to perform sexual acts. If he refused, he would be subjected to more violence. News of the incident quickly spread throughout the enclosure, but the CSD staff showed just indifference.
One day, Mr. Chung met the tortured political prisoner, who was flanked on either side by two of his abusers, in the visitor’s room. He explicitly asked the young inmate if anything had happened and assured the latter that he was able to solve the related problems for him. But before he could respond, the two assailants said to him in a threatening tone: “Go ahead and tell the truth! Anyone bullied you?” Finally, he looked at Mr. Chung and just replied, “No,” with a horrified expression.
A Fellow Inmate Was Sexually Abused
Mr. Wong also posted an article online on Jan. 19, pointing out that the sexual assault incident mentioned by Mr. Chung was not an isolated case. He recalled that in the winter of 2021, a 15-year-old juvenile inmate was abused by fellow inmates. The 15-year-old boy did not dare to tell the true story under coercion. He only informed his family of that after he bled and was sent to the hospital. It was only then the CSD officers called the police. But so far, there has been no media report.
Mr. Wong said that due to his status as a political prisoner, CSD officers would not assault him physically, but would use corporal punishment or verbal insults. For example, he was once asked to do 1,000 deep squats. After that, he almost lost feeling in his feet for several days and could hardly walk. A certain staff member of the Pik Uk security team who has dyed hair would verbally abuse him and call him names such as “cockroach” every time he saw him.
Mr. Wong revealed that there was a room in the Pik Uk Correctional Institution dedicated to the convenience of violent undertakings. The windows of the room are fully shielded, and there is no CCTV inside. Inside the room, juvenile offenders are required to squat while walking and are subjected to violent assaults by CSD staff, such as “eating chicken wings (elbows in the back),“ and ”claw board (hitting the palms or soles of the feet with a steel ruler).”
Complaint to Chief Officer About Abuse by CSD Staff Produced No Response
A recent social media post by Mr. Chan sheds light on a series of alarming incidents within the Pik Uk Correctional Institution. According to Mr. Chan’s account, on Jan. 20, once, he and a fellow inmate were forced to stand as punishment outside the “duty officer’s office” because of a hairstyle issue. Later, his fellow inmate was taken in first and ordered to “get into a squatting position.” Soon after, he heard the staff shout insults, and the prisoner screamed in pain, begging not to beat him again. Later, Mr. Chan was ordered to go into a squatting position as well. After entering, the duty officer surnamed Wong asked him, “Which one do you want?” In front of him were rulers made of different materials, steel, wood, and two plastic rulers made from adhesive tape.Mr. Chan asked why he had to make a choice. Mr. Wong said he had to, otherwise he would be put into solitary confinement as an alternative punishment. Later, Officer Wong ordered him to squat for about 45 minutes. During this period, his legs felt numb. He also had to endure sarcastic comments from the staff in the room constantly. Because of his status as a political prisoner, he was insulted repeatedly, “One day you are a cockroach, you will always be a cockroach,” “If I don’t beat you today, I will definitely beat you the next time,” so on and so forth.
Later, the CSD staff called the previous inmate in again, and there was a round of screams and cries. The staff led the inmate out and said to Mr. Chan, “he took the hits for you,” as he was not beaten that day. As punishment, he was locked in the “water rice room” for five days, during which his legs kept trembling (from the previous 45-minute squat).
Mr. Chan pointed out that the “Duty Officer’s Office” in Pik Uk, commonly known as the “Triple Watch Room,” does not have closed-circuit television surveillance. Juvenile offenders accused of having disciplinary problems will be taken to the door and asked to stand there for half an hour to several hours. In addition to being a staff room, it also served as a room for punishing juvenile delinquents.
After coming out of the “water rice room,” Mr. Chan once raised his hand to complain about the maltreatment he had endured by the duty officer surnamed Wong during the chief officer’s (CO) routine inspection of the ward. However, he was stopped by the CSD staff walking behind the CO with insults such as “Who gave you permission to raise your hand”? In the end, the CO just walked by silently and turned a blind eye.
CSD Officers Spoil the “B Boys” Into Violent Acts
Additionally, Chan detailed the disturbing role of “B boys” within the institution who were selected by CSD to manage cells. Mr. Chan described the “B boys” as having half the power as the CSD staff. They can issue orders and use violence at will. Every week, they act like creditors and ask juvenile offenders to hand over snacks to them, commonly known as a “token of appreciation.” If the amount or type of snacks is not what they want, “B boys” will use violence to “make up the amount.” Also, they become thugs of the CSD in exchange for favors.Mr. Chan recalled that one time, a young offender who was new to the institution committed a mistake. On that day, a supervisor surnamed Chan hinted at “B boys” to act and allowed them to take the young offender to the toilet for punishment. One “B boy” was guarding the door in case anyone tried to stop them. The other two were punching and kicking the boy inside. During the process, the boy’s screams could be heard throughout the canteen. The “B boy” on guard just turned up the volume of the TV to cover the screams. The supervisor, who was smoking outside, did not stop until about ten minutes later and returned to his post as if nothing had happened. According to Chan, the juvenile offender who was dragged out had a mouth full of blood, and a tooth was left behind in the toilet.
Mr. Chan shared the above incident with his family members during visit time but faced repercussions, including a cell search that yielded an unauthorized pen. On this, Mr. Chan said, “As I was often under multiple security surveillance, I have absolutely no chance to bring unauthorized items into the cell.”
Finally, after a round of arguments, the officer moved another inmate into the “water rice room” instead. He believes that they need to make an account to their supervisors and attempt to create a division among the inmates.
In response to an inquiry from “Channel C,” the CSD stated that the remarks on social media made by Chung Hong-lam were “completely unfounded,” and only said that if inmates were dissatisfied with their treatment in prison, they could voice their grievances by contacting the department directly or through other channels outside of the department.
