CHINESE officials claim that the prison system is successful in reforming criminals through labour, noting the low recidivist rate.
The semi-official China News Service yesterday reported that only five per cent of freed prisoners recommitted crime.
It said China had one of the lowest rates of crime recurrence, with less than 10 per cent of current inmates in prisons for repeated offences.
It quoted Vice-Minister of Justice Zhang Xiufu as saying that China's criminal rehabilitation was unique and effective.
''China has a lot of ways to re-educate criminals, but the most distinct method is reform through labour,'' he said.
Mr Zhang said many people committed crime due to their reluctance to work. But forcing criminals to work would let them observe the value of labour.
Collective exercises could also teach them to be disciplined and to understand the importance of co-operation.