Each week, inmates of compulsory rehabilitation centers in Vietnam will be allowed to meet their relatives once

Each week, inmates of compulsory rehabilitation centers in Vietnam will be allowed to meet their relatives once (Illustration image)

According to Article 28 of Decree 221/2013/ND-CP, the policies regarding visitation by relatives of inmates of compulsory rehabilitation centers in Vietnam are stipulated as follows:

- inmates are entitled to visit relatives at the visitation room of the mandatory rehabilitation facility once a week, each visit not exceeding 2 hours and each visit with a maximum of 3 relatives. Longer visits require the consent of the Director of the mandatory rehabilitation facility and may not exceed 4 hours. inmates with spouses may be allowed by the Director of the mandatory rehabilitation facility to have a private visit room at the facility once per month, with each visit not exceeding 48 hours. Depending on the scale and conditions, the rehabilitation facility shall arrange rooms for family visits.

- The organization of visits shall be conducted according to the regulations of the mandatory rehabilitation facility. The visitation regulations are promulgated according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam.

Additionally, inmates are also entitled to the policies related to funeral leave as follows:

- When a father, mother, wife, husband, or child dies, the student is allowed to return home for the funeral. The maximum duration of funeral leave is 5 days, excluding travel time, and is counted in the duration of serving the decision.

- The family of the student must submit a request for the student to return home for the funeral, verified by the People's Committee of the commune where the student resides, to the Director of the mandatory rehabilitation facility. The application must clearly state the full name, ID number, residence, relationship with the student, proposed funeral leave duration, and commitment to supervise and not allow the student to use illegal drugs or commit other illegal acts during the funeral leave. The family is responsible for picking up the student and returning the student to the mandatory rehabilitation facility after the funeral leave period; all transportation costs are borne by the student's family.

- Within 24 hours of receiving the application, the Director of the mandatory rehabilitation facility has the responsibility to review and decide on the funeral leave of the student. The decision must be made in writing, clearly stating the time allowed, the family's responsibilities in picking up, dropping off, and supervising the student during the funeral leave. The decision shall be made in 3 copies: one for the student's family, one for the commune-level People's Committee where the student resides for supervision coordination, and one for the student’s file.

- The handover and receipt of the student between the mandatory rehabilitation facility and the family must be documented, clearly stating the student's full name, time, names of the persons handing over and receiving, with the document made in 2 copies, each party keeping one.

- At the end of the period specified in the decision under Clause 3, Article 28 of Decree 221, when the student returns, the mandatory rehabilitation facility must conduct a health check on the student to provide appropriate interventions. If the student does not return to the mandatory rehabilitation facility, the Director of the mandatory rehabilitation facility shall issue a search decision as per legal regulations in Vietnam.

More details can be found in Decree 221/2013/ND-CP, which comes into force in Vietnam from February 15, 2014.

Thuy Tram

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