Ningxia prisons lead in management innovation

When it comes to prison management innovation, the Ningxia Prison Administrative Bureau in Ningxia Hui autonomous region just never runs out of juicy ideas.

The prison authorities mapped out a "500 Program" - which involves paying return visits to (at least) 100 released inmates, interviewing (at least) 100 inmates' families, arranging 100 instructive lessons for inmates-to-be-released, providing continual education and job recommendations for (at least) 100 inmates – in February in a bid to help those ex-convicts better reintegrate into society after serving years behind bars.

The results have been fruitful, and in addition all of its targets have been reached or even overachieved, highlighted by the 609 ex-convicts finding jobs thanks to the program, said Thursday's Legal Evening News.

Maintaining the inmate-family bond is the focus of the prisons. The life of inmates is filmed and played for their families during regular visits. The families also continue to be kept informed of the work and construction in the prison.

For juvenile inmates who had lost parents, the bureau dispatched a special team looking for their missing loved ones. After traveling thousands of miles, the team has helped 10 of the young criminals reunite with their families. And more than 40 others have been adopted by charitable enterprises and individuals.

The bureau has set up a long-term vocational training system for inmates, too. After taking the skill-honing class, a total 3,306 inmates have obtained a completion certificate issued by the prison. 687 of them have even been awarded a professional certificate. And 1,291 inmates signed work contracts during three job fairs held by the prisons and enterprises.