懲教署署長黃國興去信New York Post（紐約郵報），強烈反對及駁斥該媒體9月7日的一篇評論文章，指出該文章對懲教署運作的指控完全是虛假、毫無根據及惡意誹謗。黃國興強調，懲教署致力於確保一個安全、人道及健康的羈押環境，並高度重視所有懲教機構的紀律和專業，以及設立了透明且完善的申訴機制，文中所指懲教機構普遍存在虐待、醫療疏忽或生活條件惡劣的指控，完全毫無根據。
黃國興在信中反駁指，懲教署致力於確保一個安全、人道、體面和健康的羈押環境，並為在囚人士提供合適的更生計劃，幫助他們改過自新。他又指，懲教署高度重視所有懲教機構的紀律和專業，香港根本沒有所謂的「政治犯」，所有在押人員均一視同仁，不會因其背景、政治觀點或罪行性質而受到歧視。懲教署在所有運作中嚴格遵守公正和專業的原則，任何在押人員或懲教署人員的違法行為均會受到嚴肅處理，並會根據既定機制轉介相關執法機構進行調查。
黃國興稱，近年來，一些涉及嚴重罪行的激進罪犯被送入懲教機構。他們中的許多人是在極端思想或錯誤觀念的影響下，被煽動犯下違法行為。為了滿足這些人的更生需要，懲教署推出了「PATH」計劃，旨在幫助在押人員加深了解中國歷史文化，培養國家認同感，重建正向價值觀，並重建生活。他指，所有在押人員均可自願參與此項目，「我們譴責任何將更生計畫妖魔化為『灌輸』的行為」。
黃國興呼籲公眾信賴已核實的事實，拒絕虛假信息，避免被那些蓄意抹黑懲教署及特區政府的言論所蒙蔽。
黃國興英文全文如下：
September 9, 2025
The Editor,
New York Post
Dear Editor,
We strongly oppose and categorically refute the allegations made in the opinion piece by Samuel Bickett titled “I was an American political prisoner in Hong Kong – and saw the savagery and squalor firsthand” (September 7). The claims regarding the operations of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) are utterly false and baseless and amount to a malicious smear on our department.
The CSD is committed to ensuring a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment and providing appropriate rehabilitation programmes to persons in custody (PICs) to help them turn a new leaf. The allegations that abuse, medical neglect, or substandard living conditions are prevalent within our correctional institutions are wholly unfounded.
The Department places the utmost importance on discipline and professionalism across all correctional facilities. There are no so-called “political prisoners” in Hong Kong. All PICs are treated equally, without discrimination on the grounds of background, political views or the nature of their offences. The CSD adheres strictly to the principles of impartiality and professionalism in all its operations. Any illegal acts committed by PICs or CSD staff are taken seriously and are referred to relevant law enforcement agencies for investigation in accordance with established mechanisms.
Contrary to the claims made in the article, medical care services provided to PICs are comprehensive and robust. The CSD provides basic medical care services to all PICs at the on-premises hospitals in correctional institutions where medical examinations and appropriate treatments or referrals to specialists of public hospitals are provided to PICs whenever necessary.
The CSD has also taken extensive measures to continuously improve the custodial environment and to ensure the well-being of PICs. These include the installation of antisuicide safety fans, the progressive replacement of ventilation systems, the addition of industrial fans, and the installation of new gates and windows with improved ventilation efficiency. Further steps, including trials of heat-insulating coatings on buildings and the provision of hand fans and ice cooling towels, have demonstrated our proactive approach to address hot weather conditions.
The Prison Rules (Cap. 234A) empowers the CSD to remove a PIC from association with other PICs for purposes such as safeguarding the interests or personal safety of the PICs. Request for removal from association may be made by PICs and CSD may make such arrangements after considering the relevant factors in accordance with the legal requirements and procedures.
In recent years, a number of radical offenders involved in serious offenses have been admitted to correctional institutions. Many were incited to commit illegal acts under the influence of extremist ideologies or misconceptions. To address the rehabilitation needs of these individuals, the CSD has introduced Project PATH. This initiative aims to assist PICs in developing a better understanding of Chinese history and culture, fostering a sense of national identity, reconstructing positive values, and rebuilding their lives. All PICs may join the project voluntarily. We condemn any attempt to demonise the rehabilitation programmes as “indoctrination”.
It is important to note that transparent and well-established complaint mechanisms are in place for PICs to raise grievances. PICs can lodge their complaints through various internal and external channels. Besides, the Justices of the Peace carry out relevant statutory duties such as investigating complaints made to them by PICs, inspecting diets and examining the physical conditions, hygiene and accommodation facilities of the institutions. Deaths in official custody must be reported to the coroner who is required by law to hold an inquest. Regarding Bickett’s imprisonment, our records confirm that he has never raised any complaints throughout his incarceration, be it about himself or other PICs.
The CSD will continue to discharge its duties in strict accordance with the law, ensuring the security of correctional institutions while safeguarding the rights, dignity, and welfare of all PICs. We urge the public to rely on verified facts, reject misinformation, and avoid falling prey to narratives that deliberately seek to discredit the CSD and the HKSAR Government.
WONG Kwok-hing
Commissioner of the Correctional Services Department
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
