Chinese police and prosecutors have been given the power to cut the sentence of convicts serving community service or parole sentences if they judge their behavior is good.

The Supreme People's Court (SPC) issued the authority in a new regulation on the enactment of laws allowing community-based sentences and parole.

The regulation requires courts to issue written verdicts or judgements on community-based sentences to local police authorities within five workdays.

Convicts serving community-based sentences must report regularly to police and submit to police supervision.

Police are required to pursue and capture those convicts who fail to report their activities and whereabouts.

Convicts "who mutilate themselves, and deceive or offer bribes to illegally prolong" their community-based sentences must be immediately returned to prison, said the regulation.

Police must return convicts on temporary probation to prisons if they still have to serve more than one year of imprisonment, or detention houses if the term remains less than a year.

The regulation was promulgated by the SPC, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), as well as the Central Committee for Comprehensive Management of Public Security, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice Tuesday.

A statement on the SPP website said it was intended to "ensure correct enforcement of penalties," including those of convicts under public supervision, those stripped of their political rights, serving suspended sentences or on parole.

China started its pilot community correction program in 2003. It applies to convicted criminals sentenced to community service, those given a reprieve, those on parole and medical parole, especially minors, the elderly, the ill and pregnant mothers convicted of minor crimes.

Community correction is aimed at preparing convicts for a smooth return to society and exploring new ways to educate non-violent criminals.

So far 5,865 communities in 25 out of China's 31 provincial areas have accommodated about 151,000 convicts and the reoffending rate remained at 1 percent, according to the Ministry of Justice.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2009)