Netizens knock fancy prisons

• Source: Global Times
• [01:26 November 26 2009]
• Comments

Chen Tianben, an associate professor at the Chinese People's Public Security University, said prisons today should be like a community or campus, which means good accommodations, office buildings, libraries, playgrounds, canteens, hospitals and other basic facilities are necessary.

"Prisons' main function is to educate and reform criminals, its environment should be similar to a modern lifestyle and society; otherwise criminals would feel isolated and feel difficult to get back to society when they leave the prison," Chen told the Global Times.

"But prisons with superior conditions are not proper, as they won't achieve the effect of punishment and the public would consider them an abuse of taxpayers' money," he added.

An official at Jiangsu Prison Administrative Bureau denied that the prisons exceed standards.

"It's impossible to surpass the national construction standard; better conditions will be helpful to reform the criminals," chinanews.com.cn quoted the official as saying.

A staff of Qingyuan Prison told the Global Times that the architecture of the prison is very shabby, and there is no office building.

A staff of Sihui Prison refused to comment, saying it is confidential.

Prison Construction Standard issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the National Development and Reform Commission stipulates that the construction standard be higher than the official specifications in the areas with better economic conditions.