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Written by: Liu Yanwen
2021-05-07 15:13
The last update date: 2021-05-07 15:13
The former chairman of the Democratic Party, Hu Zhiwei, who was remanded on suspicion of inciting others to participate in the July 1 parade and the "35+ primary election" earlier, was granted short bail by the High Court this morning (May 7) on "humanitarian reasons". He is attending his father's funeral tonight.
Previously, Hu Zhiwei had applied to the Correctional Services Department to go out for funerals, but it was reported that the department refused to approve it on the grounds of security. Correctional staff used this method to "pay homage to the legacy"-as a result, it caused great criticism from the society. In addition to criticizing the department for being "inhumane", it also questioned the authorities for calling the "smart prison" indiscriminately.
Putting on an electronic coat does not mean that you are on the cutting edge of the times
In the era of rapid advancement in information technology, the SAR government, which has been accused of lagging behind in the development of innovation and technology in the surrounding areas, has undoubtedly strived for the upper reaches in recent years, threatening to build a "smart city"; however, it is a matter of understanding or implementation. It’s still far away, but what’s interesting is that the Hong Kong government seems to think that as long as the word “wisdom” is added to certain projects, it means that it has been on the cutting edge of the times. "Consumption coupons" disguised as "money distributed by the whole people" is another example. The Correctional Services Department recently suggested that Hu Zhiwei "follow funerals" on the grounds of "smart prisons".
Last year's policy address proposed a "smart prison" to monitor prisoners, and the Correctional Services Department and Customs to establish facial recognition.
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It is undeniable that the Correctional Services Department has indeed been committed to developing "smart prisons" in recent years.
For example, after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor took office in 2017, he proposed in the first "Policy Address" to use "innovation and technology" to enhance law enforcement capabilities, and "smart prison" is one of the main projects.
In fact, as early as 2016, the Correctional Services Department received a grant of 350 million yuan from the previous government to develop the "Integrated Correctional and Rehabilitation Management System" to lay the foundation for the "Smart Prison". By 2019, the Department will apply to the Legislative Council for about 2.2 A total of 100 million yuan was allocated to take the lead in installing an electric lock security system in the Pik Uk Prison, and even equipped with a closed-circuit television with facial recognition function.
It can be said that the Hong Kong Government has spared no effort.
So, specifically, what exactly is a "smart prison"?
According to the "Smart Prison Development" of the Correctional Services Department submitted by the Security Bureau to the Legislative Council in 2019, the concept of four "smart prisons" is mentioned, including smart management, implementation of process innovation, training of correctional personnel and optimization of rehabilitated persons Integrate social capabilities and smart hospital design.
It is not difficult to see that these four concepts focus on optimizing the internal management of prisons with technology, including the use of computer systems to manage the daily affairs of persons in custody and the management of prison buildings, so as to improve the operational efficiency of the institution.
Hu Zhiwei, a former legislator of the Democratic Party, was charged with involvement in the July 1st demonstration last year and the Panmin 35+ primary election.
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"Smart Prison" is to improve management efficiency. "Video communication" is never "smart" today.
However, in view of the "bail storm", the "visual funeral" recommended by the Correctional Services Department seems to be incompatible with the development concept of "smart prison".
Even if the Correctional Services Department later issued a statement explaining that "the Department is committed to the development of smart prisons, and the transmission of video messages is one of the main development areas"-but the statement is too far-fetched.
Indeed, the Security Bureau document mentioned that the Correctional Services Department will introduce the "image analysis and monitoring system" technology to "developing smart management"; however, this technology is not simply "transmission of video information", but the system will The pre-determined behavior patterns of the prisoners are compared with the images collected by closed-circuit television to detect whether the prisoners are performing abnormal behaviors and prevent them from committing disciplinary violations or self-harm.
Furthermore, the term "wisdom" in "smart prison" is based on emerging technologies, and by definition it must have technologies such as perception systems, data collection, and artificial intelligence computing.
Simply put, the "image analysis and monitoring system" is a "smart" technology that can collect the movement data of inmates, store it in a database, and then make decisions based on the data.
Moreover, the technology of video communication has existed as early as the early twentieth century. Last year, due to the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, it was necessary to block social distancing. Video communication systems such as Zoom have also been widely used by the citizens of Hong Kong.
This is not only very different from the definition of "smart prison", and it is actually not new at all, but the Correctional Services Department seems to have discovered the "New World", emphasizing that this is the first time that inmates are advised to "smart funerals"-I am afraid it is a misunderstanding " The true meaning of "smart prison" and even "innovative technology".
Ding Qitai, the murderer who killed and mutilated the aided girl Wang Jiamei, was once locked in handcuffs and chained around his waist, and was escorted to the funeral home by the Correctional Services Department and the police crime team.
The picture shows a still from the movie "Treading the Blood to Seek Plums" based on the Wang Jiamei case. Bai Zhi (pictured) plays the murderer Ding Zicong.
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Smart monitoring is available to allow bail is never difficult
The Correctional Services Department stated that "after a security assessment, in order to protect the safety of correctional officers, persons in custody and the public, the Department decided not to approve the application." But whether the "security issue" mentioned by the Correctional Services Department is too severe Hu Zhiwei is out for a day and a half?
Regardless of whether Hu Zhiwei will have any "abnormal behavior" when going out, if the Correctional Services Department has such concerns, they can use their true "wisdom" technical assistance, such as "wisdom hand straps."
In fact, as early as 2019, the Correctional Services Department disclosed the application of the "smart bracelet" to the public. The bracelet also has a built-in "life-sustaining indicator monitoring system" and "mobile and location monitoring system". Once worn by inmates, they cannot do without authorization. In addition, correctional officers can also use two systems to grasp the heartbeat rate and movement position of persons in custody.
In addition, the Correctional Services Department has arranged for inmates to go out for funerals many times in the past. If it can be equipped with "smart hand straps" and other equipment, I believe it is not difficult to arrange for Hu Zhiwei to go out on bail.
For example, Ding Qitai, the murderer who killed and dismembered the aided dating girl Wang Jiamei, was once locked in handcuffs and chained around his waist, and was escorted to the funeral home by the Correctional Services Department and the Police Crime Squad-if a "Class A repeat offender" is eligible for bail, Hu Zhiwei, who has always been gentle but has not been convicted, should have the qualifications to go out.
It is worth mentioning that, according to Article 70 of the "United Nations Standard Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners", "As long as circumstances permit, prisoners should be allowed to go to the bed or attend the bed of a close relative who is seriously ill or any other important person under escort or alone. The funeral of close relatives or other important people.” The law is nothing more than human sentiment. The High Court’s "Minato National Security Law" appointed Judge Du Libing, who was in charge of Hu Zhiwei’s bail application, and finally approved Hu Zhiwei’s conditional bail to go out on humanitarian grounds and go to the church Farewell to my father.
Hu Zhiwei released on bail for in-depth report on Smart City of Correctional Services Department