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Q5: What are the regulations for sending parcels?

  • Publication Date :
  • Last updated:2023-06-17
  • View count:791

[Ans:]

  1. Regulations on application for sending parcels:
    • The inmate should first fill in an application form for sending objects, specifying the name and quantity of objects. The Guard and Control Section will issue a plum blossom label along with a duplicate copy of the application form to the inmate (the original copy will be kept in file), which will then be sent by the inmate to designated family members.
    • )Items listed in inmates' applications for sending parcels are limited to the items on the List of Objects Allowed. The name, dimensions, purpose and quantity of objects must be specified on the application form; do not write non-specific quantities such as "set" and "case" to speed up the inspection process when parcels are received.
    • When family members send parcels, they must specify the sender's name and address and the recipient's name, number and address, and stick the plum blossom label on the side of the parcel for identification; if any of the abovementioned information is unclear or of the parcel does not have a plum blossom label, the mail room will return the parcel to the sender.
    • The parcel should be sent to this prison within 1 month (30 days) after the duplicate copy of the application form and plum blossom label are issued (based on the date of the Guard and Control Section's seal); any parcel sent after this time period will be rejected. If an application is not used within the time period, the inmate should write a report to cancel the application before reapplying to send in a parcel.
  2. Types and limitations of objects:
    • Objects sent should be articles for daily use, keeping warm, cleaning and stationary; lotions, cosmetics, skincare products, volatile objects and drugs are prohibited. The color of clothing for keeping warm may not be the same color as controller uniforms (blue); clothing may not be in the form of jackets, vest, coat, pajamas, robe, leatherwear or wool knitted; clothes must not have buttons, zipper and pockets. If clothes have any strings, they will be pulled out and disposed of before the clothes can be collected by the inmate.
    • Gifts attached to objects sent in that were not in the list of objects during application may not be collected by the inmate. Objects that may not be collected should be sent back at the inmate's expense or voluntarily destroyed.
    • For special circumstances objects may be sent after being reported and approved, but are still limited to objects of daily use.
    • Inmates who wish to receive books or magazines should apply according to regulations for parcels, limited to 3 books or magazines each time; contents must not hinder prison discipline or prevent improvement of the inmate's condition.
    • )If inmates wish to directly purchase or subscribe books or magazines from the publisher, the inmate should submit a written report along with the subscription form (specifying the publisher's name, book name and period of subscription); when approved the Guard and Control Section will handle subsequent matters. Any books or magazines sent without approval will be rejected; books or magazines that cannot be rejected will be destroyed.
  3. The name and quantity of objects allowed are as shown in the table below.
List of objects allowed (limited to 3 objects in total)
Object name Quantity Explanation
Bedding
  • 1 blanket
  • 1 cover
  • 1 mattress
  • 1 sheet
  • 1 pillow
  • 1 pillowcase
  • Limited to 1 each; will be soaked in water after inspection.
  • Pillows without an opening will be cut open for inspection; pillows with different layers are prohibited.
  • The sealing of bedding must not be a zipper.
  • Pillow kerchief and towel are prohibited.
  • Feather blankets (pillows) and memory pillows are prohibited.
  • Blanket (cover) dimensions are limited to 135cm × 195cm, mattress (sheet) dimensions are limited to 60cm × 180cm; items that exceed these dimensions are to be reported and may only be used if approved.
Stationary
  • 2 writing brushes
  • 100 envelopes
  • 100 pieces of paper
  • 50 pieces of rice paper
  • 3 books
  • Books will be handed to the Edification and Education Section by the parcel manager for inspection, and then be transferred to the educational block by a counselor where they will be collected by the inmate.
  • Other stationary, such as materials of Chinese painting, must be reported and approved before they may be sent.
Washing Supplies
  • Each item is limited to one, the volume of shampoo and shower gel must not exceed 1000cc.
  • If objects do not have Chinese labels, they will be returned to the sender or voluntarily destroyed.
  • Large towels are prohibited.
  • 1 underwear (white, length not limited, no pockets, not buttons, spaghetti straps are prohibited)
  • 1 underpants (panties are not allowed)
  • 1 set of leisurewear (must not be blue)
  • 1 mask
  • 1 pair of glasses
  • 1 glasses case
  • 1 set of earphones (headphones are prohibited)
Articles for daily use
  • 1 bar of soap
  • 1 face wash
  • 1 bottle of shampoo
  • 1 bottle of shower gel
  • Skin lotion is prohibited unless approved for inmates with Psoriasis.
  • Clothing may not be in the form of jackets, vest, coat, pajamas, robe, leatherwear or wool knitted.
  • Glasses are limited to those for presbyopia and nearsightedness; if the frame, lens is of different color, strange or sticks out, it will not be allowed.
  • Leisure wear is limited to sports wear, may not be of the same color as clothes worn by controllers (hard to identify at night), and may must not have buttons, zipper, pockets or hats. Pants are limited to pull on pants and may have strings; strings will be pulled out and disposed of; if the inmate refuses to pull out the strings, the pants will be sent back or voluntarily destroyed.
  • Inmates may only apply for leisurewear two months before being discharged or after applying to the Ministry of Justice for parole.
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