These amendments were the first large-scale revision of relevant legislation in the last three decades. In the updated version, the number of articles has increased from 78 to 121. The document provides for strengthening prosecutorial supervision over the execution of sentences and introduces more detailed standards for the administrative management of prisons.
The law also establishes provisions for the protection of the legal rights and interests of prisoners. Particular attention is paid to regulating the work of courts, prosecutors’ offices and administrations of correctional institutions, which are required to ensure timely and impartial consideration of cases of mitigation of punishment and parole in strict accordance with legal norms.
Minister of Justice of the People’s Republic of China He Rong noted that the need for reform is due to the growing public demand for fairness, justice and security. According to him, the planned improvement of the institutions of judicial and law enforcement administration has created new requirements for the functioning of the prison system.
During the discussion of the bill, parliamentarians emphasized that the expansion of the legal framework became possible thanks to the development of applied psychology in the PRC. The growth in the number of qualified specialists in this field has made it possible to integrate into the law provisions on the creation of psychological assistance and correction programs.
The updated “Prison Law” will officially come into force on November 1, 2026.
Previously we wrotethat China is updating its cybersecurity law.
