For discussion FCR(95-96)79
on 24 November 1995

ITEM FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE

HEAD 30 - CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Subhead 603 Plant, vehicles and equipment

Members are invited to approve a commitment of $9.4 million for the replacement of the Closed Circuit Television system in Shek Pik Prison.



PROBLEM

The existing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system in Shek Pik Prison is reaching the end of its serviceable life.

PROPOSAL

2. The Commissioner of Correctional Services (C of CS) proposes to replace the existing CCTV system in Shek Pik Prison with one having improved features.

JUSTIFICATION

3. Shek Pik Prison is a maximum security prison. The existing CCTV system there provides close surveillance of high-security-risk prisoners around the clock. The system has been in place since the opening of Shek Pik Prison in 1984. The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (DEMS) has inspected the system and advised that it is reaching the end of its serviceable life. In order to continue to provide proper surveillance in Shek Pik Prison, there is a need to replace it.

4. On the basis of operational experience, C of CS with the advice of the DEMS proposes to improve the system coverage and effectiveness by installing additional cameras in new locations (190 cameras compared to the existing 163 cameras) and by enhancing the capability of the cameras by replacing some of them with pan/tilt and/or zoom cameras. The proposed system will cost about $1.2 million more than a replacement CCTV system identical to the existing one. C of CS considers the additional cost good value for money because the enhanced coverage that the proposed system can offer will provide a significantly better level of security than is currently available.

5. The proposed timetable for the procurement of the replacement CCTV system is as follows -

(a)Design and specification preparation and tender processing

May to September 1996

(b)Award of contract

October 1996

(c)Delivery and installation

November 1996 toApril 1997

(d)Acceptance test

May to June 1997

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

6. C of CS estimates that the non-recurrent cost of procuring and installing a replacement CCTV system is $9.4 million, made up as follows -


$ million

(a)Cost of equipment

8.0

(b)Building services works

1.4

Total

9.4

7. He estimates the cashflow as follows -


$ ´000

1996-97

3,724

1997-98

4,676

1998-99

1,000

Total

9,400

8. DEMS estimates that the annually recurrent expenditure for the repair and maintenance of the system will be $1.86 million. This is less than the annually recurrent expenditure of the existing CCTV system of $3.1 million. The comparatively higher recurrent cost for the existing system is mainly due to the ageing of the existing equipment. The resultant saving is thus $1.24 million per annum.

9. If Members approve the proposal, we will include sufficient provision in the 1996-97 draft Estimates and future Estimates for the purpose.

Security Branch
November 1995


Last Updated on 2 December 1998