China tightens rules on sentence remissions

BEIJING - New rules, which will take effect on Sunday, have tightened and standardized procedures for commuting sentences and parole, with the aim of preventing the rich and powerful from bribing their way out of prison.

The regulations on the procedures for granting commuted sentences or parole were introduced by the Supreme People's Court last month.

The new rules stipulate that a court hearing is necessary when applicants for a commuted sentence or parole have been convicted of abusing power, organizing mafia-style groups or financial fraud.

Hearings are also required when procuratorates disagree with the courts or when the public protests, or if the remission application is based on a criminal's meritorious deeds in prison.

Previously, criminals could receive a commuted sentence or parole without a hearing after administrative approval by the court if they were identified to be "truly repentant" or have "made contributions" to the country, such as helping with a police investigation or winning a patent.

Some prisoners, usually the powerful and wealthy, have taken advantage of the loophole to shorten the terms of their penalties.

To curb judicial corruption and enhance public supervision, submissions for commutation and parole shall be made public within five days, according to the regulations.

Several other regulations will also come into effect on Sunday.

A revised regulation on the supervision of medical equipment added a chapter to clarify the setting up of a monitoring system for adverse events caused by medical equipment as well as a reappraisal mechanism for registered equipment and a recall system for flawed equipment.

In another regulation, the government in South China's Hainan Province set down policies to enable county-level governments to offer aid to parents who have lost their only child and give awards to those who voluntarily have only one child of no less than 100 yuan ($16) a month until their child is 18.