I met a mother earlier this week whose son is in prison. He was aged 14 when he was incarcerated and is a man now, having spent the past 15 years behind bars. She has visited him every month of every year. Each word they exchange is recorded as they talk by telephone, separated from each other by glass. He is detained under 'Her Majesty's Pleasure'. This means crimes committed by juveniles awaiting sentencing. In some cases young boys are held for 17 to 19 years without being sentenced. Having met this very ordinary housewife, I felt prompted to write to express my concern about all 23 prisoners in jail under this category. As a result of a judicial review the Government has been forced to admit improper procedures, in the case of one of these prisoners, which have denied him a fair chance of release (South China Morning Post, April 16). This means that the other 22 prisoners have suffered a similar injustice. Just over two months from now, 'Her Majesty's Pleasure' will have no meaning in Hong Kong. Without delay, therefore, a reasonable sentence should be given to all these prisoners. For some this would mean immediate release. It is up to the Government to act now, before the handover, and to right the wrong that has been done to these young (or not so young now) prisoners and their families. PATRICIA BYRNE Member The Prisoners' Friends' Association