Guideline calls for more diligence on parole applications

The implementation of sentence commutation and parole for prisoners will be much stricter under a new guideline.

The guideline was jointly issued by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday. With 20 articles, it stresses that commutation and parole can only be applied to inmates who have shown sincere remorse for their crimes and have corrected their behavior.

The document's publication comes as the country seeks to fight judicial corruption and prevent inmates from abusing the system to avoid serving their full prison terms.

It orders prisons to be more prudent in helping inmates submit applications seeking parole and sentence commutation, and calls for prosecutors to properly fulfill their supervisory duties during the process.

While clarifying that courts should handle such applications through case hearings instead of simply reading documents provided by prisons, the guideline also requires judges to locate correctional officers or other inmates who can serve as witnesses to double check whether an applicant has exhibited good behavior before making a decision regarding parole or commutation.

Luo Zhiyong, deputy head of the SPC's Trial Supervision Tribunal, said the guideline will contribute to encouraging inmates to rehabilitate themselves and ensure that those given parole or a reduction in their sentences will cause no social harm.

The guideline also aims to prevent courts from dealing with cases involving parole or commutation superficially, which in some cases has led to materials submitted during the process being faked, Luo said.

"Strictly handling such cases is not only a duty for us to uphold the justice, but also to help us respond to public concerns and maintain social stability," he added.