Once a closed compound in the very centre of Hong Kong, Tai Kwun, the revitalised Central Police Station compound, consists of 16 historic buildings including three groups of Declared Monuments—the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison.
With over 170 years of history, these historic buildings were a bastion of British colonial power, a symbol of security, law and punishment. May Holdsworth and Christopher Munn’s Crime, Justice and Punishment in Colonial Hong Kong draws on a wealth of sources to offer a vivid account of these three institutions from 1841 to the late 20th century. Firmly focused on people and their stories, this richly illustrated book weaves across a social landscape populated by captains superintendent and magistrates, gaolers and constables, thieves and ruffians, hawkers and street boys, down-and-outs, prostitutes, gamblers, debtors and beggars—the guilty as well as the innocent.
Now available at Tai Kwun, HKU Press’s website, and select book stores.
Crime, Justice and Punishment in Colonial Hong Kong: Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Gaol
May Holdsworth and Christopher Munn
Hong Kong University Press
Hardback 978-988-8528-12-7
HKD $380
