BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Monday advanced a draft revision to the Prison Law for a third reading, moving a step closer to adopting changes designed to strengthen inmate rehabilitation and facilitate reintegration into society.

The draft revision, submitted to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), aims to promote professional, science-based and collaborative approaches to inmate rehabilitation and prison education.

Following a second reading last September, lawmakers sought extensive opinions from relevant government bodies, provincial-level legislatures, academics and the public, including former inmates, refining the revisions to be more problem-oriented, practical and targeted.

Building on provisions reviewed in the second reading, the latest draft revision further details the rules on inmates' phone calls and meetings with individuals who can support their rehabilitation, and it allows for video calls in accordance with prison regulations.

Prisons are required to adopt innovative methods to help inmates develop healthy personalities and reintegrate more effectively into society after release, said Yuan Shuhong, vice chairman of the NPC Constitution and Law Committee, who introduced the draft revision to the lawmakers.

Specifically, the draft revision stipulates that prisons could involve professionals with expertise or practical experience in law, education, psychology, and social work in rehabilitation programs.

China's current Prison Law, enacted in 1994 and last amended in 2012, has long played a central role in enforcing penalties, rehabilitating inmates, and preventing crime.

The draft revision to the Prison Law underwent its first and second readings in April and September 2025. The third reading is scheduled to run from Monday to Thursday this week. ■