Shanghai Prison Administration has granted inmates permission to
visit their families during the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year,
which falls on January 29.
Family-visit permission will be given to inmates who have a good
track record behind bars and have finished at least half their term
of imprisonment. Different prisons have set different requirements
for applicants, the Shanghai Evening News reported.
In the city's Beixinjing Prison, eight inmates, all Shanghai
natives, will be allowed to leave the prison on January 28 and
spend 72 hours at home, after registering at the district police
station and the neighborhood committee.
According to a police officer named Cai with Shanghai Prison
Administration, family reunions are a reward for inmates with good
behavior. The Prison Law of the People's Republic of China enables
inmates to apply for a three to seven days' parole during major
Chinese holidays.
"Home-visiting is different from families visiting the prison.
Inmates can feel the emotional and familial bond with their family
members. It lends a humane touch to their reeducation," said
Cai.
Earlier this month, Beijing Women's Prison announced that 12
inmates would be allowed to celebrate the traditional Chinese New
Year with their husbands in specially prepared private rooms.
This is the first time the prison has arranged 24-hour visits
for its inmates and their spouses. During the stay, 12 women will
spend the day in standard guest rooms provided by the prison
authorities on the first or second day of the week-long
holiday.
The prison authorities said they will select one woman with
exemplary behavior from each of the prison's 12 units to enjoy the
special treatment.
"Chinese prison law provides family-visit rights for prisoners,
but does not specify what form visits and paroles should take,
which means that prisons are able to make their own rules and
regulations," said Xu Xiuchang, the publicity chief of Beijing
Prison Administration.
Xu said prison management is an essential part of building a
harmonious society. He said the recent moves by Chinese prisons
reflect more scientific, effective and humane approaches for
criminals recreational work.
(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2006)