Circular No. 14/2020/TT-BCA detailing the rules on meetings, receiving gifts, and communication of prisoners

CIRCULAR

Detailed regulations on meeting, receiving gifts, and communication for prisoners

Pursuant to the Criminal Enforcement Law dated June 14, 2019;

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2018/NĐ-CP dated August 6, 2018 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security;

At the proposal of the Director of the Prison Management Police Department, the Compulsory Educational Institution Management Department, and the Rehabilitation School;

The Minister of Public Security issues this Circular detailing the meeting, receiving gifts, and communication regime for prisoners.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular details the meeting, receiving gifts, and communication regime for prisoners serving custodial sentences at prisons, detention centers, and temporary holding facilities (hereinafter referred to collectively as prisoner detention facilities) under the People's Public Security.

Article 2. Applicability

1. This Circular applies to prisoners serving custodial sentences at prisoner detention facilities; persons who have received a court decision to enforce a custodial sentence and are currently in pre-trial detention centers, Criminal Enforcement Departments of county, district, town, provincial city, or centrally-administered city public security agencies (hereinafter referred to as Criminal Enforcement Departments of county-level public security agencies) awaiting transfer to the place where they will serve their custodial sentence; relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

2. It does not apply to consular visits and meetings.

Chapter II
REGULATIONS ON PRISONERS MEETING RELATIVES,

REPRESENTATIVES OF AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS, OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS

Article 3. Prisoners' Meeting Regime

1. Prisoners may meet relatives according to Clause 1 of Article 52 of the 2019 Criminal Execution Law. Prisoners may have extended meeting times with relatives; meet spouses in a private room when they fall into one of the following cases:

a) At least two consecutive quarters prior to the meeting time, they are classified as having performed their custodial sentence satisfactorily or better, and from the most recent quarter classification to the meeting time, they are assessed, evaluated, and classified as performing their custodial sentence satisfactorily or better, or due to educational reform requirements, they may extend their meeting time at the Prisoner Visiting House but not exceeding three hours;

b) At least two consecutive quarters prior to the meeting time, they are classified as having performed their custodial sentence satisfactorily or better, and from the most recent quarter classification to the meeting time, they are assessed, evaluated, and classified as performing their custodial sentence satisfactorily or better, then they may meet spouses in a private room but not exceeding three hours;

c) At least four consecutive quarters prior to the meeting time, they are classified as having performed their custodial sentence excellently, and from the most recent quarter classification to the meeting time, they are assessed, evaluated, and classified as performing their custodial sentence excellently and have been rewarded for outstanding labor and study achievements as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 41 of the 2019 Criminal Execution Law, then they may meet spouses in a private room for more than three hours but not exceeding twenty-four hours;

2. Juvenile prisoners under eighteen years old may meet relatives according to Clause 1 of Article 76 of the 2019 Criminal Execution Law. Juvenile prisoners under eighteen years old who have been classified as performing their custodial sentence excellently in at least two consecutive quarters prior to the meeting time, and from the most recent quarter classification to the meeting time, they are assessed, evaluated, and classified as performing their custodial sentence excellently and have been rewarded for outstanding labor and study achievements as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 41 of the 2019 Criminal Execution Law, then the Prison Director may consider and resolve requests to extend meeting times with maternal or paternal grandparents, biological parents, but not exceeding twenty-four hours.

3. Each time a prisoner performs meritorious deeds or receives rewards in the form of "increased number of meetings with relatives" as stipulated in Point c, Clause 1 of Article 41 of the 2019 Criminal Execution Law, they may meet relatives one additional time within one month.

4. Prisoners violating the rules of the prisoner detention facility and being disciplined according to one of the forms specified in Clause 1 of Article 43 of the 2019 Criminal Execution Law shall be allowed to meet relatives once every two months, each meeting not exceeding one hour until the Prison Director, Detention Center Director, or Head of the Criminal Enforcement Department of the county-level public security agency (collectively referred to as the Head of the prisoner detention facility) recognizes their progress according to regulations. If the prisoner's disciplinary action does not require a probation period to recognize progress or if the probation period to recognize progress is shorter than two months, then during the two months following the effective date of the disciplinary decision, the prisoner may meet relatives once, not exceeding one hour. Prisoners detained in disciplinary cells are not allowed to meet relatives. The prisoner detention facility must inform the prisoner and their relatives of the restricted meeting times.

5. Prisoners under investigation, prosecution, or trial for another criminal act, and the investigating agency has a written request for the prisoner detention facility not to allow the prisoner to meet relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals, or to cooperate to monitor the prisoner's meeting regime, then the Head of the prisoner detention facility shall consider implementing the request of the investigating agency and explain clearly to those coming to meet the prisoner.

6. The Head of the prisoner detention facility must organize for prisoners to meet relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals on all days of the week, including holidays and festivals, according to the working hours of the unit.

7. When prisoners are allowed to extend their meeting time with relatives up to three hours, meet spouses in a private room, or juvenile prisoners under eighteen years old meet relatives in a private room up to twenty-four hours, during the meeting time, the Head of the prisoner detention facility may, based on specific conditions, consider allowing prisoners to eat meals together with relatives at the Prisoner Visiting House cafeteria, with mealtime not exceeding one hour. Additionally, when organizing family meetings for prisoners, if educational reform requires cooperation and influence from the family to educate the prisoner, the Head of the prisoner detention facility may consider and resolve requests for prisoners to meet and eat meals together with relatives.

Organizing for prisoners to meet and eat meals together with relatives must be strictly monitored and controlled to ensure absolute safety of the prisoner detention facility, strict management of prisoners, food safety, and safety for prisoner relatives.

Article 4. Persons Entitled to Meet Prisoners

1. Relatives entitled to meet prisoners include: Grandfathers and grandmothers on both sides; fathers and mothers; fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law; adoptive fathers and mothers; spouses; biological children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and adopted children; full-blooded brothers, sisters, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; aunts, uncles, cousins. Each visit may involve up to three relatives, but in special cases for educational and reform purposes, the Head of the Detention Facility may decide to increase the number of relatives allowed to meet the prisoner to a maximum of five persons, provided that such meetings do not affect the security and safety of the detention facility.

2. In cases where representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals request permission to meet prisoners, the Head of the Detention Facility shall consider and resolve such requests if they are deemed beneficial to the legitimate interests of the prisoner and necessary for managing, educating, and reforming the prisoner, as well as preventing and combating crime.

Article 5. Procedures for Permitting Prisoners to Meet Relatives and Representatives of Agencies, Organizations, or Other Individuals

1. Relatives visiting prisoners must be listed in the Prisoner Visit Book (if it is their first visit and there is no book or name listed, they must provide proof of being a relative of the prisoner, such as identification documents or supporting materials, or a written request for a visit confirmed by the People's Committee or Public Security Office of the locality where they reside or the agency or organization where they work or study, along with one of the following personal identification documents, except for those under 14 years old: Identity Card, Citizen Identification Card, Passport, or proof of being a member of the armed forces).

For foreign prisoners, the procedures for permitting them to meet relatives shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 5, Article 52 of the Criminal Enforcement Law 2019.

2. Representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals visiting prisoners must submit a written request (for individuals, the request must be confirmed by the agency where they work or study or the local government authority where they reside), and must also present one of the personal identification documents specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. If visitors do not have personal identification documents, they must submit a written request with a photograph attached, confirmed by the People's Committee or Public Security Office of the locality where they reside or the agency or organization where they work or study, stamped on the request and affixed to the photograph.

4. Prisoners wishing to meet their spouse in a private room as stipulated in Point b, c, Clause 1 of this Circular must comply with the procedures set forth in Clause 1 of this Article and provide the following documents: Marriage Certificate or Extract of Marriage Registration or Certificate of Marital Status from the People's Committee confirming the visitor as the spouse of the prisoner; a written request from the relative for a private meeting with the spouse, committing to abide by the law and internal regulations of the Visiting House, and measures to prevent infectious diseases; a written request from the prisoner for a private meeting with the spouse, committing to abide by the law, internal regulations of the detention facility, internal regulations of the Visiting House, and current laws on population and family planning; female prisoners must use contraception and provide a commitment not to become pregnant during the period of serving their sentence.

5. Prisoners under 18 years old who wish to extend the time for private meetings with relatives beyond 24 hours as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 3 of this Circular must submit a written request for a private meeting, committing to abide by the law and internal regulations of the detention facility and the Visiting House; relatives of the prisoner must also submit a written request for a private meeting, committing to abide by the law and internal regulations of the Visiting House.

6. The Detention Facility shall issue the Prisoner Visit Book and deposit money according to a unified model of the Prison Management Police Bureau, Compulsory Education Institution, and Rehabilitation School. The Prisoner Visit Book must be signed and stamped by the Head of the Detention Facility and confirmed by the People's Committee or Public Security Office of the locality where the prisoner resides or the agency or organization where the prisoner works or studies, listing the names of the prisoner's relatives.

Article 6. Responsibilities of prisoners and persons visiting prisoners

1. When meeting with relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals, prisoners must wear neat and clean long-sleeved clothes provided by the detention facility (if newly arrived prisoners have not been provided with such clothes, they may wear ordinary long-sleeved clothes but must be stamped according to the internal regulations of the detention facility); strictly comply with the internal regulations of the detention facility, the visitor house regulations, and follow the guidance of responsible staff organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals.

2. Relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals visiting prisoners must strictly comply with the law, visitor house regulations, detention facility regulations, and follow the guidance of duty officers and other responsible staff. Relatives, individuals, and representatives of agencies, organizations shall not bring prohibited items into the visitor house as stipulated by the Ministry of Public Security. If sending items to prisoners, they must declare on the item delivery form for prisoners and commit to bear legal responsibility for the delivered items. In cases of private room meetings, only clothing, towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, plastic combs, drinking water, contraception devices, and sexually transmitted disease prevention devices may be brought in when meeting spouses.

3. During communication, visitors and prisoners must use the Vietnamese language, except for ethnic minorities and foreigners who do not know Vietnamese, who may use other languages. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use sign language or communication support equipment, but this must be checked by responsible staff before use.

Article 7. Standards and responsibilities of staff organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals

1. Staff organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals (collectively referred to as staff organizing prisoner meetings) must be professional officers with appropriate qualifications, experience, management skills, and surveillance capabilities, appointed by the prison director or temporary detention center director, and work on a dedicated basis, with each person serving in this role for no more than three years. For detention centers and labor training areas located more than ten kilometers away from the main prison, staff organizing prisoner meetings work on a part-time basis.

2. Staff organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives have the following responsibilities:

a) Accepting and checking the documents of visitors; compiling a list of prisoners allowed to meet with relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals in the Monitoring Book and depositing money for prisoners (according to the model prescribed by the Ministry of Public Security), reporting to the head of the detention facility or authorized leaders for approval before organizing meetings;

In cases where prisoners are granted extended meeting times, private room meetings, or additional meetings within one month, careful consideration must be given without affecting the security and safety of the detention facility. At the same time, staff organizing prisoner meetings must submit a written proposal with the opinions of the ward officer in charge of the prisoner team, the detective officer, the education officer, and the medical officer for approval and signature by the head of the detention facility or authorized leaders;

For labor training areas managed by prisons located more than ten kilometers away from the main prison, staff assigned to organize prisoner meetings must report to the person in charge of the labor training area to seek approval from authorized leaders via telephone for prisoner meetings; then complete the procedures and store documents as required under point e, Clause 2 of this Article;

b) Supervising gifts sent by relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals to prisoners at the visitor house; supervising items brought into private meeting rooms by relatives, and ensuring that personal items not allowed in private meeting rooms are declared, signed, and stored in the visitor house lockers. If prohibited items are found, the meeting must be stopped and handled according to the Ministry of Public Security's regulations on confiscation and disposal of prohibited items;

c) Preparing records and informing visitors if prisoners refuse to meet them or refuse to accept money or gifts;

d) Being responsible for managing and supervising prisoners from the start until the end of the meeting, handing over to the shift officer and signing in the Prisoner Entry and Exit Monitoring Book or handing over to the ward officer in charge of the prisoner team;

đ) In cases where many relatives visit prisoners, they must report and propose to unit leaders to strengthen staff to cooperate in organizing prisoner meetings in accordance with regulations and ensure strict management and supervision, maintaining the security and order of the detention facility;

e) Updating comprehensive information about organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals, and managing and storing documents in accordance with the file management system of the Ministry of Public Security.

3. It is not allowed to use prisoners or have others handle documents or procedures for prisoners to meet relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals; it is not permitted to have negative attitudes or behaviors causing inconvenience in organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals; it is not allowed to arbitrarily arrange for prisoners to meet relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals; it is not permitted to allow prisoners to receive or send letters, receive money, or gifts outside the prisoner meeting area or outside the designated location for prisoners to meet relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals; it is not allowed to arbitrarily receive or transfer letters, money, or gifts for prisoners; no fees shall be collected when arranging for prisoners to meet relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals, including private rooms within the prisoner meeting area.

Article 8. Prisoner Meeting House

1. Each sub-prison camp or sub-prison management facility within a detention center shall have a Prisoner Meeting House constructed according to the design model provided by the Ministry of Public Security, located in a convenient place for managing, supervising prisoners, and organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals. The Prisoner Meeting House must be equipped with necessary means, equipment, and tools to serve the requirements of meeting prisoners and the activities of visitors.

For temporary holding houses and labor, vocational training areas managed by prison camps far from subordinate sub-camps depending on specific conditions, the Head of the Criminal Enforcement Agency of the Public Security Department at the district level or the Warden of the prison camp shall arrange appropriate locations for prisoner meetings while ensuring security, safety, and educational requirements, as well as implementing regulations and policies for prisoners.

2. The Prisoner Meeting House must display a sign "Prisoner Meeting House," provide lockers for visitors' personal belongings, have a suggestion box, internal rules of the Prisoner Meeting House, and a list of prohibited items as prescribed by the Ministry of Public Security for relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, individuals, and prisoners to follow.

Chapter III
REGULATIONS ON PRISONERS RECEIVING GIFTS; RECEIVING AND SENDING LETTERS; CONTACTING RELATIVES BY TELEPHONE

Article 9. Regulations on prisoners receiving gifts

1. When meeting persons specified in Article 4 of this Circular, prisoners may receive gifts according to Clause 3, Article 52 of the Criminal Execution Law 2019 but not exceeding 05 kilograms of items in one meeting. Additionally, each month, prisoners may receive money or items sent by relatives (persons specified in Clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular) up to two times according to Clause 4, Article 52 of the Criminal Execution Law 2019, with each sending not exceeding 03 kilograms, if sent once then not exceeding 06 kilograms. In cases where prisoners refuse to accept gifts sent via postal service, a record of the refusal must be made. The detention facility shall return the postal package to the telecommunications agency for delivery back to the sender, with postage paid by the sender.

2. Each time a prisoner is rewarded under the form of "increased number of gift receptions" as stipulated in Point c, Clause 1, Article 41 of the Criminal Execution Law 2019, they may receive an additional gift not exceeding 05 kilograms.

3. Regularly violating the internal rules of the detention facility, prisoners who are isolated or currently undergoing disciplinary action may have their gift reception restricted for a period not exceeding three months based on the nature and severity of the violation. The detention facility is responsible for informing the prisoner and their relatives about the restriction on gift reception.

4. The Head of the detention facility is responsible for guiding prisoners to inform their relatives of the address where they are serving their sentence (team, squad, sub-prison) and the list of prohibited items so that relatives can send appropriate gifts.

5. When relatives send gifts to prisoners through postal service, staff shall inspect and record the gifts and items in the Register of Money, Items, and Letters Sent to Prisoners via Postal Service before handing them over to the prisoners. If prohibited items are found, they shall be handled according to the Ministry of Public Security's regulations on confiscation and disposal of prohibited items.

6. Based on specific conditions, detention facilities organize canteen operations to sell food, essential goods, and other necessities to prisoners. The selling prices of food, essential goods, and other types of merchandise must be approved by the Head of the detention facility, after deducting reasonable costs, and must not exceed the retail price in the locality. The General Bureau of Prison Management, Compulsory Education Facilities, and Juvenile Rehabilitation Schools shall specify the organization of canteen operations in detention facilities.

Article 10. Provisions on prisoners receiving and using gifts as medicinal drugs

1. Relatives of prisoners may send medicinal drugs and tonics to prisoners when visiting them or through postal services, according to the prescription of doctors or medical staff at the place of detention or at state health facilities where the prisoner has been examined and treated. Medicinal drugs sent by relatives must have labels clearly indicating the dosage, function, place of production, and expiration date.

2. Medicinal drugs and tonics sent by relatives must be recorded in a logbook and stored in a separate cabinet. Medical staff at the place of detention are responsible for inspecting and managing these items. When a prisoner falls ill and needs medication, medical staff will issue the medication based on the illness and treatment plan, provide guidance, and supervise the prisoner's use of the medication. The medication of each prisoner must be used only by that prisoner, and this must be clearly noted in the medical record and logbook as "Medication sent by relatives." Prisoners receiving and using medication must sign or affix their fingerprint (if they cannot write) in the medical record or logbook. Expired medications must be destroyed with a record made thereof, witnessed and confirmed by signing or affixing fingerprints of the prisoner.

3. When a prisoner completes their sentence or is transferred to another location, medical staff must check and return any unused medications to the prisoner or hand over the medications along with the prisoner's health file to the receiving unit.

Article 11. Provisions on prisoners receiving and sending letters

1. Prisoners are allowed to receive and send letters through postal services and when meeting relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 52 and Clause 1, Article 54 of the Criminal Enforcement Law 2019. The head of the place of detention must direct inspections and reviews of letters sent and received by prisoners. If the content is deemed unsuitable for management and educational reform of prisoners, a record of confiscation shall be established.

2. Prisoners who frequently violate internal regulations of the place of detention and are isolated or under disciplinary action may have their right to receive and send letters restricted for up to three months depending on the nature and severity of the violation. The place of detention is responsible for informing the prisoner and their relatives about the restriction on receiving and sending letters.

3. If a prisoner is under investigation, prosecution, or trial for another criminal act and the handling agency requests the place of detention not to allow the prisoner to receive or send letters, the head of the place of detention shall consider implementing such request and inform the prisoner and their relatives accordingly.

Article 12. Provisions on prisoners contacting relatives by telephone

1. Places of detention cooperate with local telecommunications authorities to install wired or wireless telephones and organize for prisoners to contact their relatives by phone. Telephone call charges are calculated based on the price set by the telecommunications authority and paid by the prisoner from their deposited funds or other sources of support but must be approved by the head of the place of detention.

2. Prisoners are allowed to make domestic calls to their relatives as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 54 of the Criminal Enforcement Law 2019. Minors under 18 years old as defined in Clause 2, Article 76 of the Criminal Enforcement Law 2019. Prisoners who are rewarded with additional phone calls as provided in Point c, Clause 1, Article 41 of the Criminal Enforcement Law 2019 can make one additional call to their relatives per month, not exceeding ten minutes. In urgent cases, based on the content of the prisoner's application, the team leader is responsible for proposing to the head of the place of detention to consider allowing the prisoner to make an emergency call to their relatives, not exceeding ten minutes.

3. When making calls to relatives, prisoners must use the registered phone number and content in the logbook for prisoner calls to relatives. They must use the Vietnamese language, except for prisoners from ethnic minorities or foreigners who do not know Vietnamese.

4. Prisoners who frequently violate internal regulations of the place of detention and are isolated or under disciplinary action may have their right to contact relatives by phone restricted for up to three months depending on the nature and severity of the violation. The place of detention is responsible for informing the prisoner and their relatives about the restriction on phone calls.

5. Prisoners under investigation, prosecution, or trial for another criminal act are not allowed to contact their relatives by phone. The place of detention is responsible for informing the prisoner and their relatives about the prohibition on phone calls.

6. The head of the place of detention arranges a location for prisoners to make calls and assigns staff to closely monitor the content of conversations between prisoners and their relatives during phone calls. If inappropriate content is detected, the call must be terminated, and if necessary, a record should be made and disciplinary measures proposed.

7. Monitoring staff must maintain a logbook to update information on organizing for prisoners to contact their relatives by phone.

Chapter IV
PROVISIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF DEPOSITED ITEMS AND RECEIVING AND USING DEPOSITED FUNDS

Article 13. Provisions on the management of cash and stored items

When arriving at the place of imprisonment to serve a custodial sentence, inmates who have banknotes, foreign currency, gold and silver, watches, precious jewelry, personal belongings, or other valuable items must record and seal them for storage. Inmates will be able to retrieve these items upon completion of their sentences. If inmates need to transfer personal belongings to relatives or legal representatives, the place of imprisonment shall be responsible for recording and directly handing over to the relatives or sending through postal services, with postage paid by the inmate. The records of receiving or returning money and stored items must accurately describe the quantity, weight, type, shape, size, color, and other characteristics of the items. As for the State Bank of Vietnam's currency (cash), it shall be stored for the inmate's use.

Article 14. Provisions on the receipt and use of stored money

1. When individuals come to deposit cash for inmates, the staff organizing meetings between inmates and their relatives shall be responsible for receiving the cash and signing the Inmate Meeting and Stored Money Book of the inmate and the Institution's Book (if there is no book, they must issue a receipt for the depositor). At the end of each workday, the staff organizing meetings between inmates and their relatives must hand over the stored money to the Logistics and Finance Team; for remote camps, labor areas, or vocational training units managed by prisons, this must be done at least once a week, while immediately informing the cafeteria sales staff to record this amount in the inmate's purchase book.

When relatives send cash to inmates via postal services, the head of the place of imprisonment shall assign staff to collect the money from the post office and then hand it over to the Logistics and Finance Team for management. The staff responsible for stored items shall promptly inform the inmate and the cafeteria staff to record this amount in the purchase book for the inmate's signature and acknowledgment.

2. Inmates who frequently violate institutional regulations and are isolated or are under disciplinary measures may have their purchases at the cafeteria limited multiple times, but not exceeding three months per instance, depending on the nature and severity of the violation. The place of imprisonment shall notify the inmate about the limitation on cafeteria purchases so that they can comply.

3. Rewards, overtime pay, and productivity bonuses shall be transferred into stored funds for inmates to use for purchasing goods at the cafeteria, making phone calls to relatives, sending money back to relatives, or retrieving upon completion of the sentence or when fulfilling supplementary penalties such as fines, civil compensation, court fees, and other civil obligations.

4. The monthly allocation of food and essential items for each inmate shall be implemented according to Clause 2 of Article 48 of the Criminal Execution Law 2019. The money spent on non-food and non-drink essential items (such as toothpaste, soap, clothing, paper, pens...) shall not be included in the additional food purchase amount for inmates.

5. When transferring to another place of imprisonment, staff shall be responsible for transferring the stored money and items (if any) to the receiving institution. The transfer must be recorded in a document signed by both parties and the inmate.

6. In cases where an inmate dies, the remaining stored money, stored items, and other personal assets (if any) must be clearly noted in the death record and handed over to the inmate's relatives or handled according to legal provisions.

Chapter V
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 15. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from March 26, 2020, and replaces Circular No. 07/2018/TT-BCA dated February 12, 2018, issued by the Minister of Public Security regarding the meeting between inmates and their relatives; receiving and sending letters; receiving money and items, and making phone calls to relatives.

Article 16. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Director of the Prison Management Police Department shall be responsible for issuing the Inmate Meeting and Stored Money Book, the Inmate Purchase Book, and the Inmate Phone Contact Monitoring Book to ensure uniform implementation nationwide; monitoring, guiding, and inspecting the implementation of this Circular.

2. Heads of subordinate units of the Ministry, Provincial Police Directors, Central City Police Directors, heads of places of imprisonment, and related organizations and individuals within their scope of functions, tasks, and powers shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.

3. During the implementation process, if difficulties or obstacles arise, units shall promptly report in writing to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Prison Management Police Department) for timely guidance./.