Disaster ready: The Correctional Services Department tests its emergency response to hostage-taking and arson.

The Correctional Services Department today tested its emergency response to hostage-taking and arson during an exercise in Pik Uk Correctional Institution.

The exercise featured a scenario in which a group of prisoners took some of the department's staff hostage, lit fires and attacked hostages in protest of prisoners' alleged maltreatment by the staff.

The half-day exercise tested the department's command and communication during an emergency situation. It also saw different levels of contingency plans implemented and mobilised departmental-level response capability.

More than 200 participants from Correctional Services, the Police and the Fire Services took part in the exercise to test the co-ordination between the units.

The operation commander, Correctional Services Department Assistant Commissioner Sin Yat-kin, said the exercise would enhance frontline staff response capabilities and confidence, and inter-department communication in case of a crisis.