China to classify prisons by security level

China will classify its prisons and establish an evaluation system on the quality of prisoners' rehabilitation so as to further improve the execution of punishment, according to the administration of prison management under Chinese Ministry of Justice on June 26, 2005.

Improve prison classification system

Classification of prisons based on security level is widely adopted in many countries. The system is conducive to optimizing the arrangement of resources and reducing the cost of the enforcement of punishment. It embodies the policy of differentiated treatment and can improve the quality of prisoners' correction. China will, based on the guard, technological facilities, police force, management method, scope of activity and means of labor, initially classify prisons into three categories according to their security level -- maximum security, medium security and minimum security -- in which prisoners who are correspondingly dangerous are incarcerated.

Currently, the ministry is making efforts to scientifically classify prisoners and is studying the standards of the construction, prisoners and police force for prisons in different categories, taking the adjustment of the layout of prison into consideration. Two to three provinces will be chosen for pilot adoption.

Establish evaluation system on the quality of prisoners' rehabilitation

The present scoring system adopted in Chinese prisons can not adequately give a comprehensive and scientific evaluation of a prisoner's rehabilitation. The new evaluation system, aimed to enhance the quality of rehabilitation, will, based on quantitative indexes and through tests on psychology and behavior, combine the conclusion of the evaluation with the outlined reform plan so as to effectively mobilize and guide prisoners' enthusiasm in rehabilitation. Adequate importance will be attached to the control of the rehabilitation process and the key points to ensure the effectiveness through the process.

The ministry has chosen Jiangsu and Hunan provinces for a trial before nationwide implementation of the system.

By People's Daily Online