A detainee in Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution had a dispute with a correctional staff today (19th). A detainee complained to Position. One detainee was dissatisfied with the queue arrangement and was beaten and sprayed by the correctional staff when he wanted to go forward without authorization. Triggered dissatisfaction among other detainees, they stopped breakfast, and the person involved was imprisoned in isolation. The Correctional Services Department confirmed that ten detainees stopped for breakfast this morning. The Correctional Services Department dispatched a “Regional Response Team” commonly known as the “Flying Tigers” to deal with the incident. Emotions”, 12 detainees were investigated in isolation.
The complainant alleged that the correctional department sprayed pepper spray on those who did not obey the arrangements for detention
The Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution is a low-security prison that accommodates adult male detainees detained under the Immigration Ordinance. The detainees involved are detainees awaiting repatriation, including asylum seekers in Hong Kong and foreign released prisoners. A detainee B who did not want to be named and is currently undergoing quarantine investigations told The Position that one of the detainees from Sri Lanka was dissatisfied that one of the detainees from Sri Lanka had to stay in place while waiting for others when he was queuing from the prison to the day room. , He wanted to move forward, but was grabbed by the correctional staff. The detainee questioned the reason and was immediately beaten by staff and sprayed pepper spray on his eyes and arms.
Inmates on strike for breakfast, supervise the interview
B said: “I don’t think it is safe. I was beaten by someone else today, and I will come to us the day I hear it.” After that, B and about ten other detainees went on strike for breakfast, raised their hands to complain about the assault, and was awarded by Da Tam Gorge. The correctional institution supervised the interview. They reported that after the incident, they asked to supervise and manage the staff’s behavior. The supervisors immediately said that they “don’t worry”, saying it was their own responsibility, and asked them to continue eating. They were also willing to “have noodles” for lunch. It is expected that members of the regional response team of the brigade will arrive later. B described them as holding “firearms” and bringing more than ten people to the isolation cell one by one. He was quite surprised at the changes in the situation, saying that there was no crime, and he wondered why he was treated in this way. “It is our right to talk to the supervisor about the problem.”
Regional response team and guard dogs approach the arena
The Correctional Services Department issued a press release this afternoon to voluntarily explain the incident. The Department’s version is that the institution’s management recently received information that some detainees were dissatisfied with being placed in custody at the Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution and required strict compliance with the institution’s discipline And the daily process, a collective confrontation action is brewed, and the management immediately closely monitors the activities of the target person.
According to the press release, at 7:25 this morning, the correctional officers arranged 17 detainees to leave the cell and go to the day activity room in accordance with daily procedures. However, two of the detainees (target persons) refused to be instructed to follow others in line, and the officers immediately Intervened to understand the reasons. During the period, they continued to provoke the staff and clamored in an attempt to touch the emotions of other detainees. After reinforcements arrived, they controlled the scene and separated the two troublemakers awaiting disciplinary prosecution. Later, during the distribution of breakfast, a total of ten detainees went on strike and pressured the management to cancel all disciplinary prosecutions.
The department continued that intelligence shows that other detainees may take advantage of the situation to participate. After assessment and deployment, the department immediately dispatched regional response teams, dog guards and other support teams to Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution for support. As of 2 pm, a total of 12 detainees were investigated in isolation. The press release did not mention the plot of the pepper spray. “Stance News” has inquired with the Correctional Services Department and is awaiting a reply.
“Position” inquires whether there has been assault and pepper spray. Correctional Services Department: No supplement
“Stance News” inquired with the Correctional Services Department whether pepper spray was used and detainees were beaten during the operation, and whether any detainees were injured in the incident. The Correctional Services Department’s evening reply only attached a link to the press release, which also stated that “the Department has no other supplements.”
