A nationwide inspection on problems existing in China's jails will be jointly launched later this month by the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice.

The inspection, to end in January 2005, is mainly to investigate and redress jail keepers' illegal practices in a bid to safeguard the justice of the law and protect prisoner's legitimate rights and interests, according to a video-telephone conference held here on Monday.

Zhao Dengju, deputy procurator-general of the SPP, said at the conference that necessary supervision on jail keepers' illegally reducing prisoners' penalties, releasing prisoners on parole and allowing prisoners to be bailed out for medical treatment was very lacking in some jails.

Therefore, judicial corruption emerged in these areas, which damaged judicial justice and exerted a baneful influence on society, Zhao said.

He said illegal practices in the afore-mentioned areas will be checked and redressed through inspection and a long-term supervision system of jail work is expected to be established through the inspection.

An official from the Ministry of Justice said at the conference that the would-be nationwide inspection on jail work is the largest one in recent years and it will definitely push forward the country's jail management.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2004)