Shao Jiazhen, a former member of the Social Welfare Legislative Council who was imprisoned for the "Occupy Central" case, established the "Stone Wall Flower" organization as a promoter last year. Prisoners provide support and fight for prison reforms.
However, Shao Jiazhen confirmed to "Hong Kong 01" on Tuesday (14th) that he was concerned about the dissolution of the prisoner rights organization "Stone Wall Flower".
It has been nine months since "Stone Wall Flower" was established. Shao Jiazhen said that "Stone Wall Flower" used to assist more than 100 people in custody for the purpose of organizing humanitarian care and support.
However, it stated that all members decided to disband the organization on Sunday (12th) evening after referring to recent current events, the government and the reactions of all parties.
The political background of "Stone Wall Flowers" is controversial
Under the current social environment, the reason for the establishment of "Stone Wall Flower" is undoubtedly easily contemplated.
The Secretary for Security, Deng Bingqiang, did not make any criticism by name a few days ago. He organized to assist inmates in establishing their privileges and influence, and through "monopoly" visits to the supply of goods, in an attempt to "establish power" in the prison and spread seeds that endanger national security. "Privilege" can be said to be directed at "Stone Wall Flowers."
However, society must pay attention to the issue of prisoners' rights. It is not just a "stone wall flower", and people who are interested do not need to stop discussing related issues just because individual organizations have closed their operations.
Take the case of hot cells as an example. In an interview with "Hong Kong 01", a social worker who has been concerned about prison rights for many years said that this phenomenon is already a "general and old problem", especially the "congenital" poor ventilation of older hospital buildings.
With the opening of Hong Kong's first "smart prison" in May this year, the bureau also updated the corresponding prison rights guidelines to make the environment more suitable for the heat.
There is room for improvement in the current complaint mechanism
In fact, leaving aside the "stone wall flower", persons in custody already have formal channels to complain or express their opinions.
In the three-level mechanism of the Correctional Services Department, complaints involving correctional officers are handled by an independent complaint investigation team appointed by the Commissioner of Correctional Services. The results of the investigation will be reviewed by the Complaints Committee of the Correctional Services Department. The chairperson is an administrative officer. The remaining members are officers of the Correctional Services Department; if the complainant is dissatisfied with the results, he can apply for an appeal to the Complaints and Appeals Committee of the Correctional Services Department in writing. The deputy director of the Correctional Services Department will be the chairman.
Since both the Complaint Investigation Team and the Complaints Committee are staff of the Correctional Services Department, some people may think it is inappropriate.
However, in addition to the staff of the Correctional Services Department, patrol justices of the peace and members of the Legislative Council can also accept complaints.
The justices of the peace visit system is conducted once every six months and must be accompanied by an official.
There is no advance notice in the JP inspection system. However, the application of traffic through the government and the Correctional Services Department may affect the actual operation effect of complaints and opinions.
The Ombudsman stated in July that he would take the initiative to investigate the justices of the peace inspection system, and the relevant situation is expected to break through and lead the prisoner's rights to a step forward.
The ripple effect of social movements should not affect the situation in prisons, and the issue of prison rights should not have been politicized.
In fact, in addition to social activists in custody, there are many other people in custody whose rights are worthy of attention.
The society should put aside the mentality of resistance, but return to the mechanism and policy to discuss issues in a pragmatic way. Only in this way can prisoners' rights be truly promoted.
Prisoners’ rights should not be taken seriously now. The Correctional Services Department’s abuse and beatings should not be taken seriously. The Ombudsman for Prisoners should investigate the complaints mechanism of prisoners’ worries about retaliation.