Supreme Court to Revise Judicial Interpretation on Sentence Reduction and Parole

最高法：办理减刑假释案件司法解释年内修订施行

Xinhua News, 2009-04-29

Jiang Bixin, vice-president of the Supreme People's Court, explained that the revised judicial interpretation on sentence reduction and parole—to be issued this year—will emphasize following the “temper justice with mercy criminal policy.” In adjudicating sentence reduction and parole cases, courts will consider not just an inmate's manifestations of rehabilitation but also the “nature, circumstances, subjective malice and reason behind the crime, as well as other factors.” Jiang clearly stated that despite current low parole rates, courts will not “mechanically” pursue increased rates but instead will “persist in proceeding from actual conditions and gradual push on with parole work in ways that suit local conditions.”