The Correctional Services Department (CSD) said in its annual review today that there were 18,990 admissions to correctional institutions – including convicted individuals, remand prisoners and detainees – in 2025, a 3% increase as against 2024.

At a press conference, Commissioner of Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing said the average daily penal population at correctional institutions increased significantly to 10,315 people in 2025, representing an increase of 8% from 2024. The average daily occupancy rate rose from 85% to 92%.

Moreover, the average daily number of remand prisoners hit 4,217, its highest level since 2000 and up from 3,650 in 2024.

The commissioner said that in response to the ever-changing penal population, especially the increasing number of remand prisoners, the CSD has deployed part of the capacity of individual correctional institutions to admit such prisoners.

He also revealed that the department has commenced the in-situ partial redevelopment of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to increase its capacity to admit adult male remand prisoners in the long run.

In July, the CSD worked with the Government to amend the Prison Rules, with a view to strengthening the overall effectiveness of its law enforcement mission.

It stated that this included incorporating national security safeguards into the legislation, and ensuring that the amended rules better meet the needs of modern correctional management.

In 2025, the department continued to address the special rehabilitation needs of persons in custody who were involved in “black-clad violence” and contravened the Hong Kong National Security Law or the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

It launched a number of rehabilitation programmes under Project PATH to help such individuals gain a comprehensive understanding of Chinese traditional culture and an enhanced sense of national identity. Talks were given on the rule of law and safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, and patriotic film screenings and essay competitions were organised.

Mr Wong said the department plans to extend Project PATH to involve supervisees after discharge. In addition, from this month, the department has started organising exchange tours on the Mainland for supervisees.

Following the establishment of the Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy last month, the department is in discussions with correctional agencies in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) with regard to holding a second GBA Correctional Services Tactical Skills Competition.

Furthermore, the department will hold a large-scale seminar to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the its Psychological Services Section this year.

On the use of innovation and technology, Mr Wong said the Automatic Drone Patrol & Monitoring System 2.0 will be installed in six maximum security institutions to boost security and operational efficiency.

In addition, the department will continue to carry out collaborative studies with the Digital Policy Office to construct AI models, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts against inmates' participation in illegal activities.

It also plans to install the Smart Visitor Management System at Lo Wu Correctional Institution on a trial basis, in order to reduce waiting times for declared visitors of persons in custody.