Under existing rules, prisoners may have a third of their sentence reduced on the grounds of good behaviour.
Yet, with the city’s new national security law Article 23 that was passed in March, things have changed.
A prisoner convicted of national security offences must not be granted remission unless the Commissioner of Correctional Services is satisfied the move will “not be contrary to the interests of national security”.
Mr Yau said he came across a detainee who was due to be released soon after being kept behind bars for two years. However, the new legislation meant he ultimately had to stay another six months.
“Despite frustration, he could only focus on studying, and reached out to us for books to help pass the time,” Mr Yau added.
DESIRE TO BUILD A BETTER HONG KONG
CNA also spoke to Mrs Regina Ip, convenor of the key decision-making Executive Council of Hong Kong and a member of the Legislative Council, to find out what has changed since the protests.
When asked what the government is doing to ensure that young activists who took part in the protests reintegrate into society, Mrs Ip said the Correctional Services Department has a rehabilitation programme.
But she questioned whether the government can truly trust such young activists.
“They ask for leniency, but do they really understand, accept that they have damaged society and a lot of damage to our country and society?” she asked.
“I think people must try and understand and accept Hong Kong as it is.”
Kenny is one of these young people, many of whom left Hong Kong soon after the protests. But he said he is staying put.
He added that in the short term, he wants to get more involved in advocacy. He also floated the idea of taking up a volunteer gig at Project Change or other similar organisations.
“The government can consider hiring someone like me on a case-by-case basis, because most of us who participated in the 2019 protest don’t intend to cause damage in the society,” he said.
“Instead, we wish to build a better Hong Kong.”
