Mainland criminals find the going easier in city's prisons

Mainland criminals in Hong Kong jails say they have never felt so stress-free in their lives, the Prisoners' Friends Association said.

What's more, the pay is better than at home.

George Tsang, who is in charge of the prisoners' visitation programme, said criminals from poor mainland regions commit crimes to escape from situations at home.

'They praise the 'comfortable conditions' and call it a 'holiday' or even 'heaven'. They tell us they have never felt so stress-free in their lives,' he said. 'They joke about the scenery being good and the service being top-notch. It's like how the Vietnamese used to commit minor crimes in Hong Kong so they can get a better life in jail.'

The prison package of well-balanced meals, shelter, education and health care was a 'vacation' package difficult to refuse.

If mainland prisoners were frugal, they could even save some money. Prisoners are given a few hundred dollars a month in return for working four hours a day making various goods and offering services for the government.