Inmates get pay rise as prison bars fail to keep inflation out

Prisoners have been hit by rising inflation, with some popular items doubling in price in a month.

The Correctional Services Department has raised inmates' salaries by more than 10 per cent in an effort to keep pace.

Ng Wai-tung, of the Society for Community Organisation, said more than 90 per cent of the products sold to prisoners had become more expensive since March 1, when a new contract with suppliers took effect.

'We, as well as those who are imprisoned, are affected by inflation,' Mr Ng said.

Data provided by the organisation showed that many snacks were at least a third pricier. Digestive biscuits rose 57 per cent to HK$10.90 a pack, while wafer biscuits climbed 52 per cent to HK$5.50. Prices of cornflakes and nuts jumped 40 and 37 per cent respectively.

Health-care products cost more as well. A bar of soap costs HK$3.10, more than 40 per cent higher than in February, and the price of shampoo increased 14 per cent to HK$18.50.

But the price of a photo album has increased the most, surging from HK$2.90 each to HK$9.

'Photo albums are a popular item among prisoners because their family and friends can only visit them twice a month. Some prisoners keep photos sent by their family and look at them when they miss home,' Mr Ng said. 'They need some emotional support.'

He said only two items remained at the same prices - cigarettes and stamps.

A spokeswoman for the Correctional Services Department said the prices of popular items - apart from cigarettes - had increased by 10.3 to 210 per cent since last month.

In view of the inflation, she said the salaries of prisoners had increased accordingly on Saturday by 12.14 per cent - which equalled the average inflation rate of the popular items among prisoners.

About 6,000 prisoners and inmates are engaged in various types of industrial work - which includes ironing uniforms for some disciplined services units and laundry work for public hospitals. Their salaries range from HK$200 to more than HK$400 per month.

Those who are unfit for work receive about HK$50 a month.

The spokeswoman said prisoners were given four meals a day and were provided with necessities such as toothpaste, toilet paper and clothes. But they were allowed to order extra items every month.