Community work half way to a new beginning
Since July 2003, China has been building a network of "Sunlight Community Correction" programs to provide alternative punishment for non-violent offenders.
These include those on parole, probation, held in custody, serving temporary out-of-prison sentences, and those who have been released but are deprived of their political rights.
After being transferred back to their communities, offenders are held under the custody and administration of the local justice bureau. According to the severity of their sentences, offenders must do community work and report to the bureau regularly.
Up to now, the network has extended to 3,142 communities in 23 provinces. Over 72,000 offenders have done community correction and the rate of recidivism is less than 1 percent.
Wang Hongyu, of China University of Political Science and Law, said the community correction system needs clear legislation to regulate rights and responsibilities.
(China Daily 01/17/2008 page20)
