Chinese prosecutors target 'money for commutation'

A prisoner answers questions during an inquiry at Xiaxian detention house in Yuncheng city, North China's Shanxi province, Oct 20, 2014. [Photo/CFP]

Chinese prosecutors have launched a campaign targeting convicts with money or power that are seeking commutation, parole or non-prison sentences illegally.

Supreme People's Procuratorate President Cao Jianming said in a bimonthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee that commutation, parole or non-prison sentences are areas susceptible to corruption or miscarriages of justice.

"The public are strongly discontented that some criminals with money and power get commutation, parole or non-prison sentences illegally. Some criminals and their family seek lighter sentences through social relations and bribery. Their behaviors exert a negative impact on the public trust in the judicial system."

A SPP report said more than 88,800 criminals were illegally released on probation, served their sentence outside of prison or have had jail terms commuted improperly between 2010 and August this year.

An amendment to the Criminal Law which took effect on Sunday ruled out commutation for most corruption suspects.

It aims to prevent the most corrupt criminals from serving shorter prison terms through commutation, and targets officials who illegally seek commutation, parole or non-prison sentences for their crimes.