Hong Kong legislator ‘Long Hair’ Leung Kwok-hung triumphant in case of lost prison locks
Judge rules that decision to shear lawmaker of his signature hair during his brief incarceration in 2014 was unlawful
Men who end up behind bars may soon be able to keep their mane after a High Court judge found a decision to shear lawmaker “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung’s signature locks during his brief incarceration in 2014 to be unlawful.
In a judgment handed down on Tuesday, Mr Justice Thomas Au Hing-cheung ruled in favour of the radical legislator, who challenged the lawfulness of the decision and relevant orders requiring him and all male prisoners – but not female inmates – to have their hair cut while imprisoned.
“I hope I don’t have to have my hair cut when I go to jail next time,” Leung said after the ruling.
The judge said the orders made following his ruling would only take effect on June 1, allowing the correctional services sufficient time to consider whether the department should make any internal arrangements because of the latest judgment.
In reply to a Post inquiry, the department said it would revise its rules in compliance with the court decision and take into account various factors, including security and health.
