Yearly update: Commissioner of Correctional Services  Kwok Leung-ming (left) and Deputy Commissioner Ying Kwok-ching speak at the department's annual press conference.

The Lo Wu Correctional Institution revamp will be completed by the end of next year offering 1,400 penal places to ease prison-overcrowding, Commissioner of Correctional Services Kwok Leung-ming says, adding the two Chi Ma Wan institutions may be redeveloped.

Reviewing the department's work today, Mr Kwok said the Lo Wu Correctional Institution site will be converted into three institutions and will start taking prisoners in early 2010.

"Though this will greatly relieve overpopulation in Hong Kong's prisons, we will continue redeveloping old institutions," he added.

On quality assurance, Mr Kwok said the inspection mechanism will be upgraded with an internal e-platform for experience sharing and delivery of training to institutions. The department will also recruit 374 staff members in the 2007-08 financial year, including 266 assistant officers and 86 officers.