Almost no prison breakers in China: Ministry of Justice

BEIJING - Chinese Ministry of Justice said Thursday that almost no one in China had broken out of prison, and the country had the safest prisons worldwide.

Xiong Xuanguo, vice minister of justice, said at a press conference in Beijing that every year there were very few prison breaks nationwide.

Xiong said China's prisons focus on work to guard, manage and reform prisoners.

"The basic requirement for Chinese prisons is to transform the law-breakers to law-abiding citizens, doing our best to lower the reoffending rate," Xiong said.

Prisons in China reformed prisoners using various methods, including psychological treatment, cultural education and skills training, said the official, adding Chinese prisons would continue to allow prisoners to leave to visit families, according to law.