Continuation of delays on Ka Ho prison’s construction

Cheng Fong Meng

The long-delayed Ka Ho prison is expected to commence operations within five years’ time.

Cheng Fong Meng, director of Correctional Services Bureau, admitted that there are still no concrete dates on when the new prison would open its doors.

The second phase of construction commenced last year and Cheng told the press that it has been running according to the expected schedule.

The director indicates that the second phase should be concluded in 2018.

Since the contract was first signed in 2010, the prison construction has faced several delays and missed its original completion date of 2014.

The new facility – which will expand the current prison’s capacity of 1,500 inmates to over 2,700 – commenced construction in August 2010.

“We need to reinforce communication with related authorities. We want to conclude [the prison construction] as soon as possible and start to operate,” Cheng told the press on the sidelines of the Macau Prison’s (EPM) annual Chinese New Year party.

However, when questioned whether the delayed project would function by 2019, the director admitted that they do not have a concrete forecast for its opening.

The Ka Ho prison is currently under construction

He explained that the prison is still subject to public tenders and unpredictable factors which means that he is unable provide a timeline for completion.

The director noted, however, that 2019 is the deadline for the finalized construction of the first two phases.

The third and fourth phases of the construction involve the possibility for alterations that may be required in addition to establishing an electric supply.

Meanwhile, the director did not disclose the project’s budget, noting that he did not have the relevant information with him.

According to media reports, the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT)  indicated that the amount granted for the first phase of the new prison was MOP130 million.

The second phase has an estimated cost of MOP1.1 billion.

Cheng also suggested that the estimated population of the current prison would increase to some 1,500 prisoners this year.

Currently EPM accommodates 1,271 convicted and remand inmates – of which 30.5 percent and 42.8 percent are from Macau and mainland China respectively. Drug-related offences account for the highest number of inmates.

The prison’s annual Chinese New Year (CNY) Party for inmates, held yesterday, was organized by the Correctional Services Bureau and Caritas Macau.

The event was held in the playground within the Male Detention Zone.

Around 130 inmates entertained guests in performances such as a lion dance, martial arts, magic tricks and singing.

The bureau hoped that such activities would allow inmates to develop strong determination for self-reform.

The CNY party will be held for three consecutive days. Inmates are arranged to attend in five groups.

Dog maltreatment by PJ officer ‘not a serious crime’

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak indicated that he was saddened by the maltreatment of a dog by a Judiciary Police (PJ) officer.

In an uploaded video currently circulating on social media, a man is shown to be throwing and continuously spanking the dog.

The secretary stressed that the Public Security Police is still in the preliminary stage of investigating the case and would handle the case accordingly.

However, Wong argued that the PJ officer might have been stressed from work, which led to such actions.

“I feel sorry about the situation and this should not have happened,” he said .

Wong added that the PJ officer did not commit a “serious crime.”

“According to the law, that kind of behavior doesn’t constitute a serious crime,” said Wong.