New rules safeguard prisoner rights to meet lawyers

BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- A regulation was released Monday to safeguard the rights of lawyers to meet imprisoned clients.

"Meetings between lawyers and the convicted should not be monitored during the period of investigation, prosecution and trial, if the detainee is charged with new crimes committed in the prison," said the regulation issued by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).

Police officers are not allowed to attend such meetings, which also applies to prisoners charged with new crimes allegedly committed before their prison terms.

"The provisions are fully in compliance with the Criminal Procedure Law and the Law of Lawyers," said a statement from the MOJ.

The new rule expands the scope of services lawyers can provide to prisoners and requires prisons to provide convenience for lawyers, such as with appointments, proper meeting rooms and timely responses to applications.

It also detailed the multiple channels where lawyers could file petitions or complaints about treatment received in prison.

The regulation is an update of an interim version introduced in 2004. Enditem