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The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and the Correctional Services Department (CSD) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand their cooperation on the sustainable development of a “Smart Prison”.
Under the MoU, HKSTP and CSD develop a framework to jointly explore innovative solutions in three aspects over the next three years. This includes identifying and matching market-proven innovative solutions by the HKSTP with the operational needs of and challenges faced by the Department. In addition, regular meetings and exchanges will be arranged between the CSD, the innovation and technology industry, and academia to encourage more collaboration.
A “Penal Lab” will also be set up within prisons, where tailor-made innovative solutions by the innovation and technology industry will be tested in an actual operating environment to facilitate the trial implementation of innovation and technology products.
The Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services (Operations and Strategic Development) and the Chief Executive Officer of the HKSTP signed the MoU. It was witnessed by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; the Commissioner of Correctional Services; and the Chairman of the HKSTP.
In his speech at the signing ceremony, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, noted that the Government is working to promote the development of innovation and technology and build smart government while encouraging government departments to use appropriate technologies to enhance governance and efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the HKSTP noted that HKSTP will continue collaborating with park companies to integrate smart elements to modernise prisons and address operational the needs of the CSD, while also providing innovation and technology companies with potential pilot production opportunities.
The Commissioner of Correctional Services noted that the Correctional Services Department (CSD) will continue to support policies that promote the development of Hong Kong as a Smart City and the development of innovation and technology. The CSD has integrated the “Smart Prison” initiative into its strategic development plan to modernise correctional facilities through technology.
The Commissioner is confident that with its capabilities and experience alongside CSD’s promotion of innovation and technology application as well as its high-quality development, a greater number of “smart” proposals can be developed. This is expected strengthen the Department’s operational efficacy and service quality.
The following products, developed by HKSTP partner companies, will be developed under this agreement:
- Smart Health Sensing System: This System will allow correctional officers (COs) to continuously monitor of the vital signs of concerned persons in custody (PICs) who have medical needs in centre hospitals. The real-time heart and breathing rates of PICs with medical needs can be monitored via a contactless sensing device installed underneath the mattresses of designated beds. Immediate action against any irregularity can be taken in to protect the safety and health of these PICs.
- Facial Recognition Tracking System: The Facial Recognition Tracking System will allow correctional officers to trace and track the real-time locations and movement of PICs via this analysis of CCTV video footage. Through facial recognition and AI, each PIC’s real-time location and movement route can be traced and tracked automatically at specific locations without the need for wearable devices. The system is able to completely use existing CCTV systems and help COs in the daily monitoring of PICs as well as accelerate the response to emergency situations and the investigation of any incident.
- Robotic Monitoring System 2.0: Robots have been introduced to help COs patrol, enhancing management efficiency, and ensuring the safety of PICs. Using a mobile tablet or a display monitor at the workstation, COs can remotely monitor the conditions of PICs within their cells. This upgraded second generation robotic monitoring system will enable instant communication between COs and PICs. Through this, COs can rapidly respond to any irregularity. In addition, thermal detection has also been included to enhance the system performance and functionality.
- Integrated Intelligent Communication System for PICs: This system is a custom self-service telephone communication system that operates alongside telephone kiosks, display monitors, voice recognition technology and the keywords spotting function. The system aims to encourage PICs to stay in contact with their loved ones to enhance the effectiveness of their rehabilitation. In addition, COs will no longer be required to escort PICs to designated locations to make phone calls thus reducing pressure on human resources in terms of internal escort as well as handling the communication requests of PICs.
