Hong Kong Tightens Prison Rules, Raising Concerns About Inmate Rights

Hong Kong has implemented stricter prison regulations, granting authorities greater power to limit visits to inmates. These restrictions, justified on national security grounds, include the potential barring of visits from specific lawyers and religious personnel.

The new rules, which came into effect on Friday, allow magistrates to issue warrants. These warrants, requested by correctional service officers, can prohibit communication between certain legal representatives and inmates if such contact is deemed a threat to national security or could cause physical harm. The department also has the authority to restrict visits from chaplains and other individuals, citing reasons such as maintaining national security, preventing crime, and aiding inmate rehabilitation.

Critics have expressed concerns that these changes could erode the rights of prisoners. The city has seen a significant number of democracy advocates arrested for their involvement in the 2019 anti-government protests. The government has implemented two national security laws, which Beijing considers essential for maintaining stability.

Official data reveals that hundreds of individuals have been incarcerated annually between 2020 and 2024 for offenses related to the protests or for allegedly endangering national security. As of the end of 2024, nearly 600 people were in custody for such offenses.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Security, Chris Tang, stated that some prison visitors were allegedly inciting anger against the government. He argued that this was detrimental to national security and prison security. The government cited an incident where an inmate passed unauthorized items to a legal advisor during a visit as a cause for public concern. Officials maintain that inmates can still seek legal advice from other representatives if a specific lawyer is barred.

Lawmakers are scheduled to review the legal changes. A representative from a prisoner support group expressed concern that the new regulations might be based on the belief that former protesters are still organizing resistance from within prison, a view that he believes is inaccurate. The support group aims to provide humanitarian assistance to inmates, focusing on their well-being and their prospects for rehabilitation after release. The representative fears the new law could further target and suppress political prisoners.