Insanity pleas to get more scrutiny

Prosecutors have been ordered to be more thorough in cases involving criminal defendants who plead insanity, to prevent people faking mental illness to escape justice.

Convicts diagnosed with mental health issues in China sometimes receive compulsory treatment rather than prison sentences. They serve their time at a mental health institution and can be released when they are cured.

However, legal experts say defendants are prone to faking insanity in the hope of securing what they believe is a lighter punishment.