Conditions in Victoria Prison, which now has 780 people living in quarters designed for 438, are better than those in the Vietnamese camps, legislator Christine Loh Kung-wai said yesterday.
Ms Loh inspected the prison accompanied by Commissioner for Correctional Services Raymond Lai Ming-kee.
It was believed to be the first non-official inspection since the population was lifted from 420 to more than 1,000 by the addition of Vietnamese in preparation for their forced repatriation.
Describing conditions as 'basic but adequate' she told Mr Lai that press and independent monitors like the Red Cross should be invited to show 'there is nothing to hide'.
Mr Lai said he would consider the move.
'I would not say that it is very comfortable, but it's not claustrophobic,' she said.
