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Jess Ma

A Hong Kong inmate has become the first in the city to earn a local doctoral degree behind bars, studying part-time for eight years in the maximum security Stanley Prison.
At the same time, correctional authorities have expanded a full-time study arrangement for adult inmates to cover associate degrees.
Chun*, who has been in prison for more than 24 years, said he hoped his achievement in earning his doctoral degree in education could encourage other inmates not to lose hope.
“There’s no need for them to give up on themselves while stuck in prison, and that things will be fine if they keep going,” the 51-year-old said after his graduation ceremony in Stanley Prison on Wednesday.
In his dissertation acknowledgements, he wrote: “[If] I can, so can you.”
Chun said he went to jail in his twenties and had a Form Four education, but began studying part-time alongside his prison duties, finishing his Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) in 2000.
The HKCEE was a public exam for Form Five graduates that was discontinued in 2012.
Chun said he was inspired to pursue a doctoral degree in 2016 after encountering contrasting attitudes towards education in prison while tutoring inmates for their exams, hoping to better understand how to motivate them.
He would have more time to study on Sundays as he was not required to work that day and interviewed other prisoners about their views on education for his dissertation.
But he declined to reveal details about the special interview arrangements, citing “security concerns” from prison authorities.
His dissertation found two key factors that influenced inmates’ attitudes towards education.
“If one can cultivate a wish to become a better person among inmates, this will boost their motivation [ …] but if they think studying is a process of recitation, then they wouldn’t be motivated to seek further knowledge,” Chun said.
Chun said he had turned to learning while in prison to “resolve life questions”, including why he had found himself in jail.

Studying psychology and education before taking on a doctorate helped him realise that he used to have “low moral standards” that left him nonchalant about breaking the law.
Adult inmates with approval from the Correctional Services Department can pursue a variety of degree programmes offered by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University.
In 2024, 11 inmates at various correctional facilities completed their bachelor’s degrees under the policy.
From 2020 to 2024, an average of eight inmates attained bachelor’s degrees or higher qualifications each year.
Ricky Kwok Yu-kwong, vice-president of research and institutional advancement at the university, said degree requirements and course content for prisoners were the same as those for other students to ensure academic integrity.
But he said incarcerated students faced an “extreme” environment due to reduced study time and heavily restricted access to information, among other obstacles.
“They are able to study one subject per term, rendering their progress a lot slower than students outside,” Kwok said.
He added that the university had been working with the department to find ways to offer information technology courses to inmates that complied with limits on internet usage in prisons.
Siu Pui-fan, a principal under the department’s education unit, said correctional staff would make arrangements to support the studies of inmates.
“For programme materials, we will try to help them [obtain the relevant information]. On the other hand, we will also arrange for the use of computer rooms,” he said.
Siu also revealed that, for the first time, 15 inmates across the city’s prisons have been granted permission to study full-time for two years to pursue associate degrees.
The move followed the department’s creation of the Ethics College, a full-time school for adult inmates, last year.
He added that another 40 inmates had been approved to study for associate degrees on a half-day school basis, as their sentences would finish before the two-year programme ended.
*Interviewee’s name changed to protect his identity.


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Hong Kong society

Inmate becomes first in Hong Kong to earn local doctoral degree behind bars

Inmate Chun receives his doctoral degree at a graduation ceremony held in Stanley Prison. Photo: May Tse

Chun has said he turned to learning while in prison to find answers to “unresolved life questions” and why he had found himself in jail. Photo: May Tse

Dads jailed in Hong Kong prison cherish Christmas ‘playtime’ with their children

Male inmates interact with their children. Photo: Dickson Lee

Fathers are using a parent-child centre inside the prison compound. Photo: Dickson Lee

The parent-child centre at Stanley Prison is designed to resemble a playroom. Photo: Dickson Lee

Officers inspect all toys in the centre after each session. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong activist takes prison bosses to court over long trousers rule for female inmates

Current prison rules require female inmates to wear long trousers during daytime throughout the year, without any exceptions. Photo: Dickson Lee

Chow Hang-tung is awaiting trial on a charge of inciting subversion over her role as former vice-chairwoman of the now-dissolved Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. Photo: AFP

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Society

Inmate Chun says he hopes his academic achievement can encourage other prisoners not to give up on themselves


Inmate Chun says he hopes his academic achievement can encourage other prisoners not to give up on themselves.


Education

Education in Hong Kong

Crime in Hong Kong

Crime