Beijing will extend its community correction experiments through to 47 blocks and towns throughout Miyun County, Dongcheng and Fangshan Districts. An official named Ji Lin, member of the standing committee of the Beijing Municipal Communist Committee and also secretary of the Beijing Municipal Procuratorial, Judicial and Public Security Committee, said on June 12.
It is a weighty exploration, creatively reforming the existing penal system as carried out by Beijing authorities.
Duan Zhengkun, vice minister of the Ministry of Justice, P. R. China said on June 12, Beijing's working extension of the community correction experiments is the largest in China. The achievements made by Beijing will provide the impetus and model for community correction work for other provinces and municipalities.
"Community correction" is another measure compared to imprisonment. The community correction services are delivered by a combination of departments, social organizations, contract agencies and volunteers. With treatment and support as its emphasis, it is expected that offenders have a far better opportunity to change criminal behavior and live crime free.
It is reported that offenders brought into community correction programs are targeted for those who are registered as permanent residents in Beijing. All offenders are penalized with surveillance, probation, post-prison supervision, parole and disimprisonment with continuous removal of political rights.
Supervision services provided by the community consist of the following elements: psychological counseling, holding conversations with offenders, providing life management help and education, and participation in community service work. It is hoped that this will help offenders have a better chance to rebuild their lives and not reoffend.
Community correction is one of six reforms deployed by the Justice Ministry this year.
(China.org.cn translated by Wang Zhiyong, June 27, 2003)
