Prisoners learn classics in China
By admin on 2014-12-23

    Instead of instilling fear, some prison guards in Shanghai are using their brain to instill knowledge on wayward prisoners.

    The officers sit down and teach the inmates classic Chinese literature every Wednesday in the hopes that they will learn how to behave like the decent characters in some of the literature and stay away from bad behavior once they're set free.

    Some of the works on the reading list at Qingpu and Baoshan prisons include the Three-Character Canon and Standards for Being a Good Student and Child.

    In one of the classes, inmates learned the composition of Chinese character Xiao, which means filial piety.

    The officers reportedly told the inmates that the character has two sides, with the upper part meaning elderly, and the lower part meaning children. Then the officers went on to explain that the children bear the responsibility for taking care of their parents.

    Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post reported yesterday that classic Sinology literature is becoming popular among prisoners.

    The study of the literature is also getting popular outside the prison with related books being the top sellers and TV programs, are attracting a large audience.

    The inmates in the two prisons spend five days working, and one day learning and one day off to relax every week.

    The new measures were adopted in response to the central government's call to help inmates from becoming repeat offenders after they leave.

    Lei Yongjun, one of the officers who is a lecturer, told the newspaper that the inmates are supposed to learn about the standards of filial piety, kindness and benevolence, through reading the literature.

    "These Sinology classics are supposed to clam down criminals who tend to go to extremes and go into a rage," said Lei, who often finds teaching materials online.

    One of the inmates agreed with Lei.

    "Reading the books help me to be peaceful," the inmate told the newspaper.

    The inmate, who was convicted of contract fraud, said he spent a lot of time thinking what he could do after his release.

    He realizes that he cannot return to the financial industry, and has decided to do some research into Sinology after reading the books.

    "Few could change themselves drastically by merely reading these classic books, but we do feel that there is less arguing in the prison," the inmate said.

    Zhang Yiwu, a professor of Chinese language at Peking University, told the Global Times Monday that reforming prisoners is a long-term task.

    "Education brings different effect on different individuals. And it is a long-term process and we cannot expect it to have great effect within a short time," he said.

    But he added that the prison's practice is worth trying and reading the classics will bring goodness.