HK’s amended prison rules to take effect on July 18, aiming to prevent national security risks: government spokesperson

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Wednesday that it will publish the Prison (Amendment) Rules 2025 (Amendment Rules) in the Gazette on Friday, which will take immediate effect. The amended rules will help prevent and resolve existing national security risks in a timely manner, a government spokesperson said. 

Having reviewed the relevant past law enforcement experience concerning persons in custody (PICs) and prisoners awaiting trial, potential national security risks and security threats that may be faced by correctional institutions in the future, and relevant law and practices in other jurisdictions (including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore), we propose to improve the existing rules to ensure the effective prevention, suppression and punishment of acts and activities endangering national security, the spokesperson said, according to an official statement. 

It also aims to strengthen the legal basis for correctional officers in discharging their duties; maintain the security, order and discipline of prisons; and facilitate the rehabilitation of PICs while protecting their lawful rights and interests. 

The HKSAR government also proposed other amendments to enhance the enforcement capacity of the Correctional Services Department. At the same time, it has reviewed and will revise other provisions to modernize the rules and better meet  the needs for the management of correctional institutions, the statement said. 

Given the current complex geopolitical situation, national security risks still exist. It is necessary to amend the rules as soon as possible to prevent and resolve such risks in a timely manner, the earlier the better, in order to safeguard national security effectively, the spokesperson said. 

In response to Western media hype over the recent proposed amendments to the rules, claiming that the move would further undermine prisoners' rights, some legal experts told the Global Times earlier that the revisions aim to regulate visitation rights, which align with international standards and are considered urgent and necessary.