30 Hong Kong pupils get half a day in Stanley prison, but government denies radical scheme is bid to frighten youth from political activism
Government insists prison experience for teen pupils is part of effort to fight youth drug crime
The government has denied its radical new scheme of using mock criminal trials and detentions to deter teens from breaking the law is to frighten the city's impressionable youth into steering clear of political activism.
The scheme, launched yesterday by the Correctional Services Department, welcomed its first batch of about 30 pupils for the half-day experience, giving them a taste of life behind bars in Stanley.
One participant, however, said he would now hesitate if approached to take part in protests.
Leung Cheong-wai, 14, when asked if he would think twice before joining protests that had become more common since last year's pro-democracy Occupy sit-ins, said: "Yes."
He added: "Sometimes protests can turn into riots or something unexpected. Breaking the law at such a young age worries me. I would now ask my parents for advice if I were to go."