More correctional methods for inmates

CHANGSHA - Judicial authorities is planning to introduce personalized correctional services and evidence-based practices for offenders in an effort to help them return to society.

Zhang Sujun, Vice-Minister of Justice, said Wednesday at a meeting held in the city of Changsha in Central China's Hunan province that the two new correctional methods will be practised on trial in some cities in the second half of the year.

According to the ministry's institute of crime prevention, personalized correction and evidence-based practices will complement other methods of correction and help offenders readjust to society after being released.

The ministry's statistics show that community corrections services have thus far been provided to inmates in more than 98 percent of China's cities, with a total of 1.02 million inmates receiving community corrections.

The recidivism rate for all criminals in China who have received community corrections remains at 0.2 percent.

Community corrections refers to a range of alternative punishments for non-violent offenders that are designed to help offenders boost their employment potential and ability to function in society after being released.

Since the community corrections system was established by an amendment to China's Criminal Law in May 2011, the amount of offenders receiving the service has increased by 8,000 to 10,000 monthly on average, according to the ministry.