Ex-CSD officer charged as ICAC probe reveals supplying snacks to prisoners without authorisation
2022-10-18
A then Assistant Officer I of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) was charged by the ICAC today (October 18) for allegedly supplying snacks to eight prisoners without authorisation revealed in the course of a corruption investigation.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the CSD. Upon completion of the investigation, legal advice was sought from the Department of Justice. Pursuant to the legal advice, the then Assistant Officer I was today charged with three counts of supplying unauthorised articles to prisoners, contrary to Section 19 of the Prisons Ordinance.
Lee Man-kit, 55, was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance in the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (October 20) for plea.
At the material time, the defendant was posted to Tai Lam Correctional Institution (TLCI) of the CSD. On June 1, 2022, the defendant was assigned as the officer-in-charge of a Dining Hall to supervise inmates during meal times. According to the Prisons Ordinance, the defendant was prohibited from supplying any unauthorised articles, including food, to prisoners.
The charges allege that on three different occasions on the above date, the defendant, without authorisation, gave five packs of chocolate sandwich cookies and six sausages to eight prisoners of the TLCI.
The two types of snacks were not canteen items available for prisoners to purchase or consume. In other words, the eight prisoners concerned would not have access to them during their incarceration if they were not provided by the defendant.
The CSD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the CSD. Upon completion of the investigation, legal advice was sought from the Department of Justice. Pursuant to the legal advice, the then Assistant Officer I was today charged with three counts of supplying unauthorised articles to prisoners, contrary to Section 19 of the Prisons Ordinance.
Lee Man-kit, 55, was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance in the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (October 20) for plea.
At the material time, the defendant was posted to Tai Lam Correctional Institution (TLCI) of the CSD. On June 1, 2022, the defendant was assigned as the officer-in-charge of a Dining Hall to supervise inmates during meal times. According to the Prisons Ordinance, the defendant was prohibited from supplying any unauthorised articles, including food, to prisoners.
The charges allege that on three different occasions on the above date, the defendant, without authorisation, gave five packs of chocolate sandwich cookies and six sausages to eight prisoners of the TLCI.
The two types of snacks were not canteen items available for prisoners to purchase or consume. In other words, the eight prisoners concerned would not have access to them during their incarceration if they were not provided by the defendant.
The CSD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.