Regulations on Inmates Receiving and Sending Letters and Receiving Items

To be specific:, according to Circular 07/2018/TT-BCA, the regulations on inmates receiving and sending letters and receiving items are as follows:

- When meeting those specified in Clauses 1 and 2, Article 4 of Circular 07/2018/TT-BCA, inmates can receive letters and items as per Clause 2, Article 46 of the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments but must not exceed 5 kg of items per meeting.

Additionally, each month inmates can receive items brought by or sent through the postal system by relatives twice as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 46 of the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments, with each time not exceeding 3 kg (if sent once then not exceeding 6 kg).

- If an inmate refuses to meet visitors, the officer responsible for arranging visits must record it in writing and inform the inmate's relatives.

If an inmate refuses to receive items sent via postal service, a record must be made, and the sender must be notified to retrieve the items.

- Within 15 days from the notification date, if no one comes to receive the items, a record will be made, and the items will be destroyed in the presence of the inmate. Letters and items for inmates must be thoroughly checked before being brought into the detention facility; if prohibited items are found, they must be dealt with as per regulations.

- Inmates can send letters and telegrams as per Clause 1, Article 47 of the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments.

- Inmates who frequently violate the Internal Rules of the detention facility and are kept in solitary confinement, and inmates under disciplinary action, depending on the nature and severity of the violation, the Warden of the Prison, the Warden of the Temporary Detention, or the Head of the Criminal Judgment Execution Agency at the district level may restrict the receipt, sending of letters, and receipt of items for a period not exceeding 3 months.

The detention facility is responsible for notifying the inmates' relatives about the restriction on receiving and sending letters and items for proper execution.

- The Warden of the Prison, the Warden of the Temporary Detention, or the Head of the Criminal Judgment Execution Agency at the district level is responsible for guiding inmates on notifying relatives of the inmate's address during imprisonment (unit, team, sub-camp) and the list of prohibited items for sending letters and items.

- Based on specific conditions, detention facilities may organize a canteen to sell food, foodstuff, and essential goods to inmates.

The prices of food, foodstuff, and goods must be approved by the Warden of the Prison, the Warden of the Temporary Detention, or the Head of the Criminal Judgment Execution Agency at the district level, and after reasonable costs, must not be higher than the local retail prices.

The General Department of Criminal Judgment Execution and Judicial Support stipulates the specific organization of canteen activities in detention facilities.

See more: Circular 07/2018/TT-BCA effective March 29, 2018.

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