Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung visited the Correctional Services Department today to meet directorate officers and frontline correctional officers and tour the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre.

Mrs Yeung first met Commissioner of Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing and directorate staff for a briefing on the custodial environment and facilities of the institution as well as ways to introduce smart elements and an advanced management mode into its facilities improvement projects.

They then toured various detention, security and rehabilitation facilities and learnt about the challenges and difficulties encountered by frontline staff in the operation of the reception centre.

During the visit, Mrs Yeung was also briefed by frontline staff on the Intelligent Robotic Monitoring System and how it assists correctional officers in conducting nighttime patrols and enhancing supervision of persons in custody.

In addition, they learnt about the application of the Smart Health Sensing System and Contactless Vital Sign Monitoring System, which are used to monitor the breath and heartbeat of patients in the reception centre's hospital.

Mrs Yeung said: “It is a general trend to utilise information technology to implement a modernised management mode in correctional facilities and proactively introduce 'smart prison' elements, which could further improve not only the operational efficiency of the reception centre but also the working environment of correctional officers.”

Before concluding her visit, Mrs Yeung met staff representatives of various grades in the department. She thanked staff for their commitment and diligence in their work, and for striving to maintain round-the-clock security and order in the correctional facilities.