Official opening: Commissioner of Correctional Services Kwok Leung-ming and Chief Executive Donald Tsang open Lo Wu Correctional Institution.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang today opened Lo Wu Correctional Institution, marking the completion of the $1.5 billion redevelopment project.

The officiating guests observed a minute's silence before the ceremony to mourn the victims of the Manila hostage tragedy.

Situated at 163 Ho Sheung Heung Road, Sheung Shui, the medium-security institution comprises the East and West Wings, each with 400 penal places, and the Main Wing, with 600 penal places.

Commissioner of Correctional Services Kwok Leung-ming said the institution is one of the department's ongoing initiatives to upgrade custodial and rehabilitative facilities to contemporary standards, and to alleviate overcrowding in correctional facilities.

"Correctional services integrated management is adopted in this new institution with emphasis on people orientation, operational efficiency, economy of scale, resources management, greening concept and community networking," he said.

Works started in April 2007 and were completed last April. It informally opened on July 2 with woman inmates phased in from Chi Sun, Chi Ma Wan and Lai Chi Kok Correctional Institutions.