Can inmates watch news programs on television while serving their sentence in Vietnam?

Can inmates watch news programs on television while serving their sentence in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Point b, Clause 1, Article 27 of the Law on Criminal Judgment Execution 2019 provides for rights and obligations of inmates as follows:

1. Inmates have the rights to:

a) Have their lives, health, assets, dignity protected and respected; having been informed of their rights and obligations and regulations of places of detention;

b) Receive board and lodging, clothes, personal care, health care as prescribed; receive letters, gifts, money; read books, newspaper, listen to the radio, watch television in conformity with conditions of the place where they serve the sentence;

c) Participate in physical training and sports, cultural and performance activities;

d) Participate in work, study, apprenticeship activities;

dd) Meet and contact with relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, and individuals; or have consular visit and contact in case of foreign inmates;

e) Conduct civil transactions as per the law by themselves or via their representatives;

g) Lodge complaints and denunciation; request amnesty or claim damages as per the law;

h) Participate in voluntary social insurance, enjoy policies on social insurance as per the law;

i) Use prayer books, express religious belief and faiths as per the law;

k) Receive commendation upon their high performance during their serving time.

At the same time, Point b, Clause 2, Article 27 of the Law on Criminal Judgment Execution 2019 also provides:

2. Inmates have the following obligations to:

a) Serve the legally effective court judgment or decision, abide by decisions of criminal judgment execution management agencies, criminal judgment execution agencies during their serving time and other decisions of competent authorities;

b) Abide by regulations of the place of detention, serving emulation standards;

c) Abide by requests, orders and instructions of officials of places of detention;

d) Work, study and learn skilled trade as prescribed;

dd) Pay damages if they break, lose or destroy assets of other people.

Thus, when going to prison, inmates can watch television (which may include news programs) in conformity with conditions of the place where they serve the sentence and must comply with the regulations of the place of detention, serving emulation standards in Vietnam. 

Best Regards!