Joint Circular No. 11/TT-LB provides guidance on legal education, civic education, cultural instruction, vocational training, and recreational activities for prisoners.

JOINT CIRCULAR

JOINT DECISION No. 11-TTLB OF THE MINISTRIES OF HOME AFFAIRS, NATIONAL DEFENCE, FINANCE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, LABOUR, INVALIDS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS dated December 20, 1993 GUIDING LEGAL EDUCATION, CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION, CULTURAL TEACHING, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND LEISURE REGIME FOR PRISONERS

On the basis of the Ordinance on Execution of Criminal Sentences dated March 20, 1993 and Decree No. 60/CP dated September 16, 1993 of the Government promulgating the "Regulations on Prisons", the Joint Ministries of Home Affairs, National Defence, Finance, Education and Training, Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs guide the legal education, citizenship education; cultural teaching, vocational training, and leisure regime for prisoners as follows:

I. LEGAL EDUCATION AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FOR PRISONERS

1. During the period of serving criminal sentences, prisoners must study certain necessary issues related to laws. The citizenship education program aims to help them understand their basic rights and obligations as citizens, thereby becoming honest and useful citizens for society.

a) Regarding laws.

- Educate prisoners to understand clearly the basic rights and obligations of citizens as stipulated in the Constitution.

- Provisions on crimes and punishments as stipulated in the Penal Code, and procedures for investigation as stipulated in the Criminal Procedure Code that are relevant to their criminal acts: Provisions on sentence reduction, suspension of execution of criminal sentences, temporary cessation of execution of criminal sentences, reduction of the term of execution of criminal sentences; self-reporting; removal of criminal records, etc.

- The Ordinance on Execution of Criminal Sentences. Regulations and internal rules of prisons.

b) The warden organizes for prisoners to study basic issues about the history of founding and defending the country, the traditional culture of the Vietnamese nation, and basic rules about civilized living habits. The warden organizes to inform or disseminate to prisoners about current issues both domestically and internationally, new policies and laws that prisoners need to know.

2. Prisoners are required to study two sessions per week, each session lasting two hours.

3. The specific programs, contents, and educational materials for legal education, citizenship education, the history of founding and defending the country, and civilized living habits for prisoners shall be prescribed and compiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of National Defence.

II. CULTURAL EDUCATION FOR PRISONERS

1. Illiterate prisoners and juvenile prisoners are mandatory subjects for cultural education. The prison warden organizes cultural education for illiterate prisoners to enable them to read and write, and for juvenile prisoners to complete primary school.

2. All prisoners can voluntarily improve their cultural education level.

3. The prison warden coordinates with local educational authorities near the prison to cooperate in providing cultural education for prisoners.

4. Teachers for cultural education for prisoners may be staff from the prison's educational department or teachers from the education and training sector. Those who teach cultural education for prisoners shall enjoy benefits according to the current regulations of the State.

5. Provincial Departments of Education and Training or District Education Offices where the prison is located have the responsibility to direct and manage the quality, inspect, and supervise the implementation of the content and curriculum of teaching and learning, coordinate with the prison to organize graduation exams and issue certificates according to the regulations of the education and training sector, while also having the responsibility to assign teachers to the prison to provide cultural education for prisoners upon request of the prison.

III. VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR PRISONERS

1. For juvenile prisoners, vocational training is mandatory, and the prison organizes such training for them. For other prisoners, depending on the conditions, capabilities of the prison, and the wishes of the prisoners, the prison may provide vocational training. The time for vocational training for prisoners depends on the type of profession and the capability of the prison, the prison may direct them to learn a trade while producing goods.

2. The prison establishes a "Vocational Training Center" to train and guide prisoners in vocational training. The specific functions and tasks of the "Vocational Training Center" shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of National Defence. Funding for equipping tools, techniques, and equipment for vocational training shall be reviewed and provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of National Defence based on the prison's proposal. The prison encourages prisoners and their families to contribute funds to purchase technical equipment for vocational training for prisoners.

3. Vocational teachers may be prison staff who know the trade or hired skilled workers from outside (aged 21 or older, holding a professional technical certificate, having practiced the trade for at least three years or being a high-level craftsman), or using prisoners with good skills and attitudes. Inviting teachers from vocational schools, technical centers, etc., is also possible.

These individuals, when teaching, shall enjoy benefits according to the current regulations of the State.

4. After completing the course, prisoners will take final exams, skill tests, and obtain certificates and diplomas according to the general regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

IV. LIVING REGIME AND RECREATION FOR PRISONERS

Outside working and studying hours, prisoners are allowed to participate in club activities, engage in physical exercise, cultural, and artistic activities, listen to the radio, read newspapers, and watch television according to the prison's regulations.

Each prison or sub-prison shall establish a library, club, recreational area, and sports field.

Every thirty prisoners shall be provided with one copy of the People's Newspaper and one copy of the Law Newspaper; each prison or sub-prison shall be equipped with a broadcasting system and a television set.

V. IMPLEMENTATION

This Circular shall apply to all persons currently serving sentences in prisons.

The Ministries of Home Affairs, National Defence, Finance, Education and Training, Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular within their respective sectors.

This Circular takes effect from the date of signature.