New rules on prisoner treatment

Jail police will be sacked if they beat, physically punish or mistreat prisoners to the point of death or instigate or connive with others to do so, according to a newly released jail police regulation.

Police who cover up or connive with prisoners over criminal activities or assist prisoners to escape will be sacked and held criminally accountable, said the regulation.

The regulation is the latest in a series of measures Chinese authorities mete out in the wake of a rising number of unnatural deaths exposed in recent years.

The regulation, drafted by the Ministry of Supervision, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Justice, will come into effect on July 1.

Authorities will also record officer's demerits for those who illegally help prisoners gain remission or probation.

For those who violate prison regulations but not laws, they will face disciplinary punishments and delayed promotion or demotion. Whenever such conduct is considered to be a crime, police will undergo legal proceedings.