"How sweet life is! How wonderful the world outside is! We should be repentant of our misdeeds and unite with those who love and care for us!"

So chanted a group of orange-clad inmates, all in their 20s, as their relatives looked on with tears in their eyes.

The scene was played out yesterday morning at the Dongcheng District Jail in Beijing, a temporary holding facility for suspects awaiting trial and people guilty of minor offences, generally serving terms of no more than year.

The jail had organized the gathering for 12 inmates and their families to reward the inmates for their good conduct. The inmates are all due to be released shortly.

A 26-year-old inmate surnamed Xin said he was delighted to his mother, who had come to see him four times since he had arrived at the jail in March.

Xin, who was once an accountant, was sentenced to a year's imprisonment for embezzlement.

"He has grown up. He's more mature than before," said his mother, "The environment here is different from out in society. He has reflected on his life and knows what to do in the future."

The guards echoed this sentiment.

"They (the inmates) are easier to approach after these gatherings," said Gao Huimin, a policeman and Xin's supervisor.

"Lectures from us policemen are different from the care and support that they get from their relatives."

"Being able to spend time with their relatives wakes them up and pushes them to improve themselves and crave for more reunions."

Public security officials were quick to play down the idea that the move was a gift for the New Year.

Shan Zhiqiang, deputy director of the Public Security Bureau of Dongcheng District, said the gatherings had become routine over the past nine years.

Though only a small group of inmates were able to take part in the gathering yesterday, inmates do get a chance to dine together two times a month. They usually have hot pot. They also get a half hour of visiting time each month and can make at least one call per month.

The reunion was a bonus, said Xin's mother.

"They (the inmates) know that their families have not forgotten them thanks to reunions like this," Shan said.

Gou Zhixian, deputy director of the jail, said the inmates received psychological evaluation once a month.

And the guards were also evaluated just last week.

"We learn about criminal psychology and how to alleviate pressure," Gou said.

Yang Huaiyin, a guard, said his colleagues felt pressure caused by fear that the inmates might commit suicide or otherwise hurt themselves or fight.

Each policeman usually supervises three wards, representing about 30 prisoners.

"We would have to take off the uniform and go home if any of them died," he said.

(China Daily 12/27/2006 page3)