CSD was part of the Hong Kong Police Force until 1879 when the role of Superintendent of Victoria Gaol was created.

[4][5][6][7][8] As with all of the Hong Kong Disciplined Services, British-pattern rank insignia continue to be utilised, with the only change being the replacement of the St. Edward's Crown by the Bauhinia flower crest in 1997.

[10] CSD runs 28 facilities across Hong Kong ranging from maximum security prisons to rehabilitation centres.

The first batch of students comprised 75 inmates, 60 male and 15 female – the latter joining remotely from Lo Wu Correctional Institution – who enrolled in a one-year course for an applied education diploma.

[14] The current crest of the force was adopted in 1997 to replace most of the colonial symbols:[15] In February 2021, it was reported that the CSD had worked with the Security Bureau to reduce "collusion" between foreign governments and those in custody.

"[17] In March 2021, Apple Daily reported that sources told the newspaper that the CSD's "secret unit" handled the detention of Andy Li, who was arrested for attempting to flee to Taiwan.