Campaign targets bribery by convicts

Chinese prosecutors have launched a campaign targeting convicts who are wealthy or influential to prevent them from illegally seeking commutation of sentences.

More than 88,800 criminals were released illegally on probation, served their sentences outside of prison or have had prison terms commuted illegally between 2010 and August this year, according to a report submitted by the Supreme People's Procuratorate to the top legislature.

Those involved often use their connections and personal influence to bribe prison and justice officials to claim commutations and evade imprisonment, the report said.

"Commutation, parole or sentences served away from prisons are areas susceptible to corruption or miscarriage of justice," SPP President Cao Jianming told lawmakers during the bimonthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

The top procuratorate has attached great importance to supervising adjustments to criminal sentences, Cao said while delivering the report.

Prosecutors are focusing on prisoners involved in corruption, financial and gang-related crimes and those released on medical parole, the report said.

A Criminal Law amendment that took effect on Sunday ruled out commutation of sentences for the most corrupt figures, stating that those convicted of serious corruption charges who have been given two-year suspended death sentences will face life imprisonment after the two years.