Work on the Lo Wu prison redevelopment has begun as part of correctional services' efforts to ease overcrowding in women's facilities.
The existing institution, which has a capacity for 182 prisoners, will be razed and replaced with three new prisons on the site, at a cost of HK$1.37 billion.
Preparation work began on April 2, and demolition of the existing buildings will start in May and continue until early next year. The new prisons are expected to be completed by December 2009 and will start receiving inmates in 2010.
The new prisons will accommodate 1,400 prisoners.
The 76,940 square metre site will include two medium security prisons for 400 prisoners each and one minimum security facility for 600 inmates.
The Legislative Council's Finance Committee granted funding for the prison redevelopment last June.