Inmates are being offered classes in cultural topics to aid their reintegration into society and reduce the level of reoffending, as Zhang Yan reports with Zhang Yi in Tianjin.

is long and arduous.

“What I want now is to behave well and learn some skills in prison then try to get parole, so I can get out as early as possible and start a new life to make things up with them,” he said.

Xing said the prison authorities hope the study classes will help change the prisoners’ outlook on life, prompting them to reflect on their crimes and learn how to get along with other people.

“Not only is this conducive to maintaining order in the prison, it also helps to reduce the reoffending rate when they return to society,” he said.

Extended program

all convicts have differing degrees of subjective malignancy, so they pose different threats to society.

“Effective educational measures will encourage inmates to actively confess to their crimes and become aware of the social harm and serious consequences of their offenses. That will help them cooperate to master new skills and prepare for a new life outside prison,” he said.

Li Wenzheng, who became a prison guard in 1983, said improvements in security mean penal institutes can focus on reforming prisoners rather than simply locking them up.

“Technological developments and modern security systems mean prison breaks are almost impossible nowadays. That means we can devote more energy to educating the prisoners, helping them confess their crimes sincerely and transforming themselves into new people,” the 55-year-old said.

“In today’s prison system, guards are required to behave like parents and teachers, providing prisoners with care and attention.”

Wang, from the ministry, said that in future prisons will focus on training warders, and there are plans to enroll more graduates, especially psychology and education majors, who will help educate the inmates and help them become law-abiding citizens.