Regimes toward pregnant female inmates in Vietnam from December 25, 2020

 Regimes toward pregnant female inmates in Vietnam from December 25, 2020 (Internet image)

1. Pregnant female inmates in Vietnam are entitled to regular or irregular prenatal check-ups and care

Article 51 of the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments stipulates that pregnant female inmates are entitled to regular or irregular prenatal check-ups and care when necessary.

Additionally, Article 9 of Decree 133/2020/ND-CP mandates that the medical examination and treatment facilities for inmates should be in separate treatment areas within the hospital premises at the district or provincial levels, or military hospitals where inmates are held.

Note: The cost of regular medication for inmates is equivalent to the cost of 3 kg of plain rice per inmate per month.

Thus, pregnant female inmates are entitled to regular prenatal check-ups as directed by a doctor and are prioritized for special medical care when necessary.

2. Pregnant Female Inmates in Vietnam Receive Twice the Normal Food Ration

Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree 133/2020/ND-CP stipulates that pregnant female inmates are granted a total food ration equal to twice the normal daily food ration compared to the standard and may be adjusted according to the directives of a physician or doctor. Specifically:

- 34 kg of plain rice;- 30 kg of green vegetables;- 2 kg of pork;- 2 kg of fish;- 1 kg of sugar;- 1.5 liters of fish sauce;- 0.4 liters of cooking oil;- 0.2 kg of monosodium glutamate;- 1 kg of salt;- Other spices: equivalent to 1 kg of plain rice;- Fuel: equivalent to 34 kg of wood or 30 kg of coal.

Particularly, during holidays and Tet, pregnant female inmates receive additional food, but the amount should not exceed 5 times the normal daily food ration.

3. Each Pregnant Female Inmate in Vietnam is Allocated a Minimum of 3m2 of Sleeping Space

Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree 133/2020/ND-CP stipulates that pregnant female inmates are reasonably accommodated in detention areas and are allocated a minimum of 3m2 of sleeping space per inmate.

Furthermore, the clothing and personal items for inmates in general, including pregnant female inmates, are specified as follows:

- 2 sets of long clothes made of regular fabric per year;

- 2 sets of underwear per year;

- 2 face towels per year;

- 2 personal mats per year;

- 2 pairs of slippers per year;

- 1 hat (for female inmates) per year;

- 1 plastic raincoat per year;

- 4 toothbrushes per year;

- 600 grams of toothpaste per year;

- 3.6 kg of soap per year;

- 800 ml of shampoo per year;

- 1 mosquito net every 3 years;

- 1 blanket every 4 years (for regions from Thua Thien Hue to the North and 5 provinces in the Central Highlands, cotton blankets with covers weighing no more than 2 kg are provided; other provinces are provided with fiber blankets);

- 1 warm coat every 3 years (provided from Thua Thien Hue to the North and 5 provinces in the Central Highlands; not provided for other centrally governed cities and provinces);

Especially, female inmates are also provided with essential personal hygiene items equivalent to 2 kg of plain rice per person per month.

4. Pregnant Female Inmates Are Entitled to 6-Month Maternity Leave

Clause 4, Article 32 of the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments stipulates that pregnant female inmates are entitled to labor leave before and after childbirth according to labor law. Specifically, Article 139 of the 2019 Labor Code (effective from January 1, 2021) states that female workers are entitled to 6 months of maternity leave before and after childbirth; the pre-birth leave should not exceed 2 months. In cases of multiple births, for every additional child from the second child onwards, the mother is entitled to an additional month of leave per child.

Additionally, Clause 1, Article 51 of the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments also stipulates that pregnant female inmates have reduced labor time during pregnancy.

Specifically, female inmates giving birth in prison are provided with essential items for newborn care equivalent to 1 month's food ration for a child of an inmate.

Le Vy

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