A Survey on Quality and Effects of Labor Reform

Aim:
This survey is a sociological study examining the prison labor system through individuals
who have experienced it. We will collect testimonials from ex-prisoners to understand
how China can reform the prison system in ways including quality and effects that will
enable it to carry out its functions (incentivize good behavior, prevent recidivism , and
facilitate prisoners smooth re-adjustment into society upon release) while upholding
human dignity.

Confidentiality of data:
All data collected in this survey is to be used in the aims mentioned above only. The
respondents are anonymous. The data will be kept strictly confidential.

2014 11
Nov 2014

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Prepared by Zhou Jianrong

1. Basic data of respondent

Gender

Male
Female

Date of birth ___________ (yy) __________ (mm)

Please describe your current job

_______________________________________________________

2. Education ( Single choice)

Primary school or below

Junior high school
Senior high school
Junior college education
University undergraduate
Graduate or above

3. Times of Labor Reform experienced ( Single choice)

Once
Twice
Three times
Over three times

4. Criminal type ( Multi-choice available)

CRIMES OF ENDANGERING NATIONAL SECURITY

CRIMES OF ENDANGERING PUBLIC SECURITY
CRIMES OF DISRUPTING THE ORDER OF THE SOCIALIST MARKET ECONOMY
CRIMES OF INFRINGING UPON CITIZENS' RIGHT OF THE PERSON AND
DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS

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CRIMES OF PROPERTY VIOLATION

CRIMES OF OBSTRUCTING THE ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC ORDER
CRIMES OF IMPAIRING THE INTERESTS OF NATIONAL DEFENCE
CRIMES OF EMBEZZLEMENT AND BRIBERY
CRIMES OF DERELICTION OF DUTY
CRIMES OF SERVICEMEN'S TRANSGRESSION OF DUTIES

5. ____________
The total months under Labor Reform

6. ( Single choice)
Have you been maltreated or been subjected to corporal punishment during Labor Reform?

Never

Yes, but very seldom

Yes, sometimes

Yes and very often

7.
( Single choice)
During Labor Reform, did the prison focus on reform (personal/educational development) rather than
production (labor output) of prisoners? For example, some reform-through-labor institutions have been
accused of being money-oriented and violating or slacking on the implementations of state laws and rules.

Never

Yes, but very seldom

Yes, sometimes

Yes and very often

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PART I

Guaranteeing the Rights of Criminals

8.
How do you think about In response to decisions made by the people's courts, criminals now have the
right to appeal?

No right to
appeal at all

Fully used the right

to appeal

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

9.
How do you think about Criminals have the right to have their human dignity and personal safety
protected under all circumstances?

No guaranteed
at all

Fully guaranteed

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

10.

How do you think about Criminals have the right to make reasonable suggestions concerning the
management, the educational programme, production, recreational activities, or sanitary conditions of a
prison or reform-through-labor institution?

Absolutely not

Absolutely yes

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

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11. 5

How do you think about Criminals have the right to lead a normal life. The State guarantees material
needs such as food, clothing, housing, etc. The average per capita living space for prisoners is over 5
square meters. Efforts are made to make all prison buildings solid, clean, well-insulated and wellventilated?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

12.

How do you think about Prisoners have the right to maintain good health. They enjoy free medical care
and receive a regular medical checkup every year.?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

13.

How do you think about Prisoners have the right to exchange letters with their relatives and friends and
to regularly meet with family members. Prisons and reform-through-labor institutions have special
reception rooms where prisoners can meet with their family members?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

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14.
? ?
?
How do you think about Criminals have the right to an education. China's reform- through-labor
institutions have set up the facilities necessary for the education of their prisoners, who receive a regular
primary or junior secondary education according to their individual educational backgrounds. A prisoner
with a more advanced background may receive a senior secondary or college education. A prisoner may
receive vocational training, laying the foundation for supporting himself or herself with his or her own
hands on return to society. They are allowed to read books, newspapers and magazines, listen to the radio
and watch TV, in order to learn about major domestic and international events and maintain a certain
amount of contact with society outside the prison. Is it true?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

15. ?
How do you think about Criminals have the right to believe in a religion?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

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16.

Do you agree that The Government provides special treatment which is different from the general prison
population in terms of daily activities, administration, labor requirements, etc. to juvenile, female, elderly,
infirm and disabled prisoners in addition to minority nationality Chinese and foreign prisoners in full
consideration of this group's special physical and psychological traits, physical strength limitations and
daily customs. Juveniles are kept in juvenile delinquent rehabilitation centers which operate on the
principle of "relying mainly on reform through education supplemented by light physical labor," which is
actually a kind of vocational study. Prisons and reform-through-labor institutions have special dining
rooms for minority nationality prisoners with special dietary customs. Is it true?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

17.

Do you agree that the rule as A prisoner may have his sentence reduced for good behavior or be released
on parole according to law is well or fully implemented. Is it true?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

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PART II

Reform of Criminals through Labor

18.

How do you think about China has formulated a series of laws and decrees relating to putting prisoners
to work in productive labor. Prisoners enjoy the same benefits as employees of state enterprises in terms
of work hours, holidays, supply of food and edible oil, and occupational safety and health care. Is it true?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

19.

Do you agree that China has formulated a series of laws and decrees relating to putting prisoners to work
in productive labor. Prisoners enjoy the same benefits as employees of state enterprises in terms of work
hours, holidays, supply of food and edible oil, and occupational safety and health care. Is it true?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

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20.

Do you agree that Civilized and safe working conditions are provided for prisoners engaging in reform
through labor. In the area of occupational safety and health care, every reform-through-labor institution
has a set of specific safety regulations and necessary safety measures plus special safety personnel who
constantly monitor safety conditions and conduct inspections. There are explicit regulations relating to
conditions in prisons and reform-through-labor institutions in terms of safety, hygiene, ventilation, light,
etc.. Reform-through-labor institutions in China are judged in part by how well they conform to these
regulations. Is it true?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

21.

Do you agree that China insists that criminals be allowed to study and improve their production skills to
make the prisoner look at the world in a new light and enable the reformed criminal to contribute to the
modernization programme. One major way of judging a reform-through-labor institution is how successful
it is in helping criminals learn and improve their production skills. This has played an important role in
enabling reformed criminals to quickly become employed, keep their minds on their work and avoid going
back.? Is it true?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

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22.

Do you agree that The government has ruled that former prisoners are not to be discriminated against or
shut out of society, and that they are to be offered jobs to provide them with opportunities to study and
work and encourage them to go straight? Is it true?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

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PART III

Changing Criminals through Methods of Persuasion

23.

Do you agree that Healthy cultural, recreational and sports activities are offered in China's prisons and
reform-through-labor institutions to create a positive atmosphere for bringing about change in the
prisoners? Is it true?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

24.

Do you agree that China sets great store by the beneficial effects which the personal examples and words
of the prison staff have on the prisoners in their care. The state requires all prison staff to be ideologically
morally sound in order to guide and inspire the prisoners with their civilized speech and behavior in their
daily work? Is it true?

Fully disagree

Fully agree

51
(Please click one figure which best match to the degree of your appraisal: 5-most positive; 1-most negative)

Please recheck your answers for avoiding any improper or omitted.
Thank you for your objective and accurate answers!!!

- End

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