Prisoners at the Beijing Female Criminal Prison Monday received free legal consultations from 11 lawyers.

The lawyers are all members of the Female Lawyers Working Committee under the Beijing Municipal Lawyers' Association.

"I got the house when I divorced from my husband after being sentenced by the court in 2002," Li Min, a middle-aged prisoner said Monday.

"I hear that the house will be renovated in the near future. If so, what can I do then since I am in prison now?" she asked.

"Police officers at your prison should hand the divorce judgment to the local government," Wang Baoqin, a lawyer answered her at the prison Monday.

Wang urged Li to report the matter to the prison management staff as soon as possible.

"Then, if there is a renovation of the house during your stay in prison, the local government should come to the prison to sign a deal with you," Wang said.

After being told that Li has no relative readily available to help her, Wang decided to write an application to the Beijing Municipal Lawyers' Association.

"I will ask for legal assistance to help you negotiate with the local government," she said.

"Although she was sentenced to imprisonment, her legal rights should be protected under the law," Wang said.

"Prisoners are a group that needs help. Among them, female prisoners maybe need more care from society," the lawyer said.

"As a legal worker, I am able to provide legal help to them," Wang said.

Tears flowed down Li's cheeks yesterday after she received her consultation from the attorney.

"My family members abandoned me after I violated the law and was sentenced. I once thought no one wanted to aid me," she said.

"But I was wrong. The female lawyers are willing to help me although they don't even know me," Li said.

Apart from Li, lawyer Wang also explained to another prisoner, Zhang Diangui how to write an appeal.

Sentenced to three years on an extortion conviction late last year, Zhang disagrees with the court judgment and plans to appeal.

Some 20 prisoners including Li and Zhang, Monday consulted the lawyers on financial issues, family matters and discretionary actions on sentencing, according to Li Maowen, the prison's education department director.

Yesterday's legal consultations from the lawyers with the Beijing Municipal Lawyers' Association are the fifth since 2002, according to Li.

(China Daily September 28, 2004)