Vietnam: Time for activities, entertainment, and library activities for prisoners

Time for activities, entertainment, and library activities for prisoners (Image from Internet)

1. Time for activities, entertainment, and library activities for prisoners

According to Article 13 of Joint Circular 02/2012/TTLT-BCA-BQP-BTP-BGDDT, the time allocated for inmate living, leisure, and library activities is as follows:

• Apart from daily labor and study time, on Sundays, holidays, and Tet, inmates are allowed to participate in physical activities, sports, cultural events, entertainment, and reading that align with the conditions of the prison, detention center, house of detention, and the requirements for inmate management, supervision, and rehabilitation.

• All content, programs, and materials related to inmate living and leisure needs must be reviewed and approved by the warden of the prison, detention center, or head of the district-level criminal enforcement police agency.

• Libraries are established at prison subunits, and bookcases are arranged for inmates in detention centers and houses of detention. These libraries are equipped with tables, chairs, bookshelves, computers, various books, newspapers, and other publications to meet inmates' need for reading and entertainment.

Prisons, detention centers, and district-level criminal enforcement police agencies coordinate with local cultural, sports, and tourism departments to supply and exchange various types of books and newspapers for inmates. They can also receive specialized books and newspapers suitable for inmate education and vocational training from other agencies, organizations, or individuals. All books, newspapers, and publications must be carefully inspected by responsible staff before being made available to inmates.

• The cultural, entertainment, and recreational time for juvenile inmates is doubled compared to adult inmates.

2. Guidelines for disseminating current affairs and policies to prisoners

According to Article 12 of Joint Circular 02/2012/TTLT-BCA-BQP-BTP-BGDDT, prisons, detention centers, and district-level criminal enforcement police agencies are responsible for disseminating current affairs and policies to inmates. They organize viewings of the Vietnam Television news program, local television news, videos, or internal cable television, listening to the Voice of Vietnam or the internal loudspeaker system, and reading the People's Newspaper at appropriate times according to the regulations of prisons, detention centers, and district-level criminal enforcement police agencies.

Dissemination of current affairs and policies to inmates is conducted on a monthly basis or as requested.

3. Time and forms of legal education and civic education for prisoners

According to Article 9 of Joint Circular 02/2012/TTLT-BCA-BQP-BTP-BGDDT, the time and methods for legal and civic education for inmates are as follows:

• Legal and civic education for inmates is conducted on working days of the week or on Saturdays, with 2 (two) sessions per week, each lasting 5 (five) periods.

• Prisons, detention centers, and district-level criminal enforcement police agencies may organize legal and civic education for inmates in various forms suitable to the specific conditions of the units, the capabilities of the teachers, and the understanding of the inmates. The primary form is organizing classes (teachers deliver lessons, and wardens organize discussions by group).

Dissemination of materials and instructions for legal and civic education for inmates can be carried out through internal broadcasting systems, internal cable television, video tapes, and other appropriate forms.

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE