Hong Kong Correctional Services Commissioner Rebuts New York Post Article Alleging Prisoner Abuse

On September 9, 2025, Hong Kong Correctional Services Department (CSD) Commissioner Wong Kwok-hing issued a strongly worded letter to the editor of the New York Post, refuting claims made in a commentary article published on September 7, 2025. The article, titled “I was a Hong Kong political prisoner — I saw brutality and filth firsthand,” was written by Samuel Bickett, an American lawyer previously convicted in Hong Kong for assaulting a police officer. The CSD condemned the article’s allegations as false, baseless, and a malicious attempt to smear the department’s reputation.

Allegations in the New York Post Article

The New York Post article, authored by Bickett, claimed that inmates in Hong Kong’s correctional facilities face widespread physical and sexual abuse, poor sanitation, and inadequate medical care. It alleged that prisoners are beaten in areas without surveillance cameras, with some assaults purportedly authorized by correctional officers. The article further described prison conditions as unhygienic, with infestations of rats and cockroaches and cell temperatures exceeding 35°C in summer. It also claimed that so-called “political prisoners” are subjected to targeted mistreatment, including mandatory participation in “political brainwashing” programs, such as patriotism courses. High-profile pro-democracy figures, such as media tycoon Jimmy Lai and former lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung (“Long Hair”), were cited as being “almost completely isolated for years.”

Bickett, who served a four-and-a-half-month sentence in 2021 for assaulting an off-duty police officer during the 2019 anti-government protests, claimed to have interviewed 17 former inmates alongside Agnes Chow, a former activist wanted by Hong Kong’s National Security Department. Their findings were compiled into a report for the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation.

CSD’s Response

In his letter to the New York Post, Commissioner Wong categorically rejected the article’s allegations, asserting that Hong Kong’s correctional facilities operate in a secure, safe, humane, and healthy manner, with appropriate rehabilitation services provided to inmates. He emphasized that there are no “political prisoners” in Hong Kong, and all inmates are treated equally, regardless of their background, political views, or the nature of their offenses. The CSD takes any unlawful behavior by inmates or staff seriously, with such cases referred to relevant law enforcement agencies for investigation. The department also maintains a transparent and robust complaint mechanism for inmates to voice grievances.

Addressing the claim of “political brainwashing,” Wong clarified that the CSD’s “Path of Rehabilitation” program, launched in 2021, is a voluntary initiative designed to help young offenders with radical ideologies rebuild positive values. He condemned attempts to mischaracterize the program as coercive or manipulative.

Wong also noted that Bickett, during his imprisonment, never lodged any complaints through the CSD’s internal or external channels, undermining the credibility of his claims. The commissioner urged the public to rely on verified facts and reject misinformation aimed at discrediting the CSD and the HKSAR Government.

Background on Samuel Bickett

Records show that Samuel Bickett was convicted of assaulting an off-duty police officer in December 2019 at Causeway Bay MTR station. The assault involved knee-pressing the officer’s chest and punching his face. Bickett was found guilty in Eastern Magistrates’ Court, sentenced to four-and-a-half months in prison, and released in March 2022. Upon release, he was deported from Hong Kong. Subsequently, Bickett has been associated with anti-China groups such as Hong Kong Watch and has engaged in crowdfunding efforts, which the CSD described as attempts to politicize his case.

CSD’s Commitment to Inmate Welfare

Commissioner Wong reiterated the CSD’s commitment to safeguarding inmates’ rights, dignity, and welfare in accordance with the law. He called on the public to dismiss false narratives and avoid being misled by efforts to tarnish the reputation of the CSD and the HKSAR Government. The department’s transparent mechanisms and dedication to humane treatment, Wong stated, stand as evidence of its professionalism and integrity.