Inmates Allowed to Bring Watches into Prison?

Are inmates allowed to bring watches into prison?

Based on Clause 5, Article 4 of Circular 184/2019/TT-BQP, the regulation on items prohibited from being brought into prison is as follows:

Technical and electronic devices: Various types of recording devices, cameras, audiovisual devices, watches, mobile phones, walkie-talkies, and other signal transceivers, except for medical devices to ensure the health of inmates as prescribed by competent medical authorities.

Thus, according to the regulations, watches are prohibited items and cannot be brought into prison.

What happens if someone secretly brings a watch into prison?

According to Clause 1, Article 6 of the above Circular, the handling of prohibited items not allowed in prison is as follows:

- Prohibited items specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, Article 4 of this Circular will be recorded, initial investigation will be conducted, or will be immediately transferred along with related documents to the competent investigating authorities for handling as prescribed by law;

- Prohibited items specified in Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, Article 4 of this Circular, the Head of the detention facility shall issue a decision to handle and organize the destruction of these items;

- Prohibited items specified in Clause 8, Article 4 of this Circular, after being confiscated, shall be transferred to the custody department for management and shall be returned to the inmate after they have completed their prison sentence or handed over to their family members upon the inmate’s request;

- Prohibited items specified in Clauses 9, 11, Article 4 of this Circular, after being confiscated, must undergo inspection, verification, and documentation before organizing their destruction;

- Prohibited items specified in Clause 10, Article 4 of this Circular, after being confiscated, the Head of the detention facility shall report to the competent authorities for resolution as prescribed by law; if the inmate voluntarily surrenders the items, they can be sent to custody or handed over to family members upon the inmate’s request.

**** when secretly bringing a watch into prison and being discovered, the Head of the detention facility shall issue a decision to handle and organize the destruction of the watch without it being returned upon release.

Sincerely!