Independent checks are needed to improve overcrowded and understaffed jails, Britain's former chief prisons inspector said yesterday.
Sir Stephen Tumim, helping to compile the first independent report on the territory's prisons, made the call after visiting 12 institutions - including the High Island detention centre for Vietnamese boat people.
While prison conditions were largely satisfactory, Sir Stephen said hygiene and accommodation at High Island were unacceptable.
Compared with British institutions, Sir Stephen said, 'the prisons in Hong Kong are much cleaner, better kept, have less drugs and better order'.
He said the main problems were overcrowding and understaffing, although he admitted his study was restricted by not being able to conduct private talks with prisoners.
The 21 penal institutions, designed to hold 10,400 inmates, house 12,600.