Circular No. 88/2026/TT-BCA stipulates the rules for meetings, receiving gifts, and communication with prisoners.

 

 

CIRCULAR

Regulations on Visits, Gifts, and Communication for Prisoners

 

Pursuant to the Law on Juvenile Justice No. 59/2024/QH15 amended and supplemented by Law No. 85/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Criminal Enforcement Law No. 127/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to Decree No. 02/2025/NĐ-CP stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security, as amended and supplemented by Decree No. 11/2025/NĐ-CP;

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 promulgates this Circular stipulating the regulations on visits, gifts, and communication for prisoners.

 

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the regulations on visits, gifts, and communication, management of money and items deposited by prisoners serving sentences in detention facilities managed by the People's Public Security.

Article 2. Persons Entitled to Visit Prisoners

1. Persons entitled to visit prisoners include:

a) Spouse, father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, foster father, foster mother, biological child, adopted child, daughter-in-law, son-in-law; paternal grandfather, paternal grandmother, maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, full brother, full sister, full younger brother, full younger sister; paternal great-grandfather, paternal great-grandmother, maternal great-grandfather, maternal great-grandmother, full uncle, full aunt, full cousin, full niece, full nephew, full grandniece, full grandnephew of the prisoner (hereinafter referred to as close relatives);

b) Representatives of organizations or individuals other than close relatives who are permitted to visit prisoners by the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center.

2. A prisoner may meet no more than three close relatives at one time. In special cases, due to educational and reform requirements, the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center may decide to increase the number of close relatives that can meet the prisoner at one time up to five persons, provided that such meetings do not affect the security and safety of the detention facility.

3. Representatives of organizations or individuals requesting to visit prisoners according to Clause 2, Article 49 of the Criminal Enforcement Law shall be considered and decided upon by the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center based on the legitimate interests of the prisoner, management and educational reform requirements, crime prevention requirements, and the security and safety of the detention facility.

Article 3. Prisoners' Meeting Regime

1. Prisoners may meet close relatives once a month, with each meeting lasting no longer than one hour, except in cases specified in Clauses 2, 3, 4, and 5. of this Article.

2. Juvenile prisoners may meet close relatives no more than four times a month, with each meeting lasting no longer than four hours.

3. Prisoners may have their meeting time with close relatives extended or be allowed to meet their spouse in a private room under the following circumstances:

a) If they have been classified as having performed satisfactorily or better for at least two consecutive quarters prior to the meeting and have been assessed as performing satisfactorily or better from the most recent classification quarter until the meeting date, or if there is a need for educational reform, they may meet close relatives at the visiting house for more than one hour but not exceeding three hours;

b) If they have been classified as performing satisfactorily or better for at least two consecutive quarters prior to the meeting and have been assessed as performing satisfactorily or better from the most recent classification quarter until the meeting date, they may meet their spouse in a private room for no more than three hours;

c) If they have been classified as performing excellently for at least four consecutive quarters prior to the meeting and have been assessed as performing excellently or have received commendations according to the provisions of the Criminal Enforcement Law, they may meet their spouse in a private room for more than three hours but not exceeding twenty-four hours.

4. Juvenile prisoners may have their meeting time with close relatives extended at the visiting house and may meet their paternal grandfather, paternal grandmother, maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, father, and mother in a private room for no more than twenty-four hours at one time under the following circumstances:

a) If they have been classified as performing excellently for at least two consecutive quarters prior to the meeting and have been assessed as performing excellently from the most recent classification quarter until the meeting date, or if there is a need for educational reform;

b) If they have received commendations according to Article 36 of Decree No. 355/2025/NĐ-CP detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Juvenile Justice regarding the application of educational measures at rehabilitation schools, enforcement of custodial sentences in prisons, and preparation for reintegration into society for juveniles.

5. Each time a prisoner receives commendation in the form of an increased number of meetings with close relatives according to the provisions of the Criminal Enforcement Law or the Law on Juvenile Justice, they may meet close relatives one additional time in that month.

6. Prisoners who violate the internal rules of the detention facility shall be allowed to meet close relatives once every two months, with each meeting lasting no longer than one hour, starting from the date of the violation record until they are recognized as having made progress in reform according to the regulations. If a prisoner violates the internal rules of the detention facility but is not subject to disciplinary action or is subject to disciplinary action but the probation period for recognition of progress in reform is shorter than two months, then within two months from the date of the violation record, the prisoner may meet close relatives once, with each meeting lasting no longer than one hour. If a prisoner is detained in a disciplinary cell, they shall not be allowed to meet close relatives. The Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center shall notify the prisoner and their close relatives in writing or by other appropriate means about the restricted meeting time.

7. Prisoners who are under investigation, prosecution, or trial for other criminal acts, or prisoners who are extradited and are not defendants but the agency handling the case has a document requesting the detention facility not to allow the prisoner to meet relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals, or requesting the detention facility to cooperate in monitoring the meeting regime of the prisoner, shall be subject to examination and decision by the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center regarding the meeting and clearly explaining the reasons to those coming to meet the prisoner.

8. In addition to the visiting regime for relatives stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, when representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals request to meet prisoners, the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center shall examine and decide on allowing the meeting, the number of people allowed to meet, time, and form of meeting.

9. The Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center shall organize meetings between prisoners and their relatives according to the working hours of the detention facility on all days, including holidays and festivals; in cases where it is necessary to adjust the meeting time due to security, safety, disease prevention, natural disasters, accidents, or management requirements, timely notification must be made to those who have registered to meet.

10. Relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals may meet prisoners directly. In cases of emergency, force majeure, objective obstacles, or inability to arrange direct meetings, online meetings may be conducted through an electronic system with real-time audio and video connection managed, arranged, and supervised by the detention facility. Online meetings must ensure that only authorized persons meet the prisoner, comply with legal regulations, and internal rules of the detention facility. 11. When extending the meeting time for prisoners with their relatives, the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center, based on educational reform requirements and specific conditions of the detention facility, may consider allowing prisoners to eat meals together with their relatives at the prison visitor cafeteria, but not exceeding the time specified in Clause 3 and Clause 4 of Article 3 of this Circular. Meal costs must be publicly listed at the prison visitor cafeteria and paid by the relatives of the prisoner.

12. When organizing family meetings for prisoners, based on educational reform requirements and the need for family participation in educational reform, the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center may resolve to allow prisoners to meet and eat meals together with their relatives.

13. Organizing meetings and meals between prisoners and their relatives must be strictly monitored and controlled to ensure absolute security and safety of the detention facility, strict management of prisoners, food safety, and safety for the relatives of prisoners.

14. Article 4. Procedures for resolving requests for prisoners to meet relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals.

1. Relatives of prisoners coming to meet the prisoner must present the Visit Book or another confirmation method (for first-time visits without a Visit Book or if not listed in the Visit Book, they must provide identification documents or proof of being a relative of the prisoner or a visit request letter confirmed by the Police Station of the place of residence or the agency, organization where they work or study). They must also present personal identification documents or use an electronic identity account or a confirmation document about their identity with a photo issued by the Police Station of the place of residence.

2. For Vietnamese prisoners whose relatives are foreigners not listed in the Visit Book, the relatives must present a visit request letter confirmed by the diplomatic or consular agency of the country of which the relative is a citizen or the agency, organization where the relative works in Vietnam, along with identification documents or proof of being a relative of the prisoner.

3. Relatives of prisoners, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals wishing to meet prisoners directly at the detention facility or registering online through an information technology application system.

4. For foreign prisoners, the procedures for resolving requests for prisoners to meet relatives shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 5 of Article 49 of the Criminal Execution Law.

5. Representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals requesting to meet prisoners must submit a document or request letter clearly stating the purpose, content, and expected meeting time to the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center for examination and decision, and must present personal identification documents or use an electronic identity account to complete the procedure when meeting the prisoner. For individuals, the request letter must be confirmed by the Police Station of the place of residence or the agency, organization where they work or study, except in cases where the law provides otherwise.

6. The prison or temporary detention center shall check and verify the information of those coming to meet and determine the number of people allowed to meet, the time, and the form of meeting with the prisoner.

7. If a prisoner is allowed to meet his wife or husband in a private room as stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 3 of this Circular, in addition to the procedures prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article, the following documents are required: Marriage Certificate or Extract of Marriage Registration or other legally recognized forms proving the relationship as wife or husband of the prisoner; a request letter to meet the wife or husband in a private room of the prisoner's husband or wife and a commitment to comply with laws, internal rules of the detention facility, and visitor house rules, implementing regulations on disease prevention; a request letter to meet the wife or husband in a private room of the prisoner and a commitment to comply with laws and internal rules of the detention facility.

8. When the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center decides to allow a female prisoner to meet her husband in a private room, she must use contraception according to the guidance of health staff at the detention facility and provide a commitment letter confirming she will not become pregnant to ensure the completion of the sentence.

9. If a juvenile prisoner is allowed to extend the meeting time with relatives in a private room as stipulated in Clause 4 of Article 3 of this Circular, both the prisoner and the relatives must submit a request letter to meet in a private room, commit to complying with laws and internal rules of the detention facility, and visitor house rules.

5. Inmates who are minors shall be allowed to extend their time meeting relatives in a private room in accordance with Clause 4 of Article 3 of this Circular, provided that the inmates and their relatives submit a request for a private meeting, commit to complying with the law, internal regulations of the place of detention, and visitation rules.

6. The detention facility shall issue the Prisoner Visit Book, Gift Sending Form, or use electronic confirmation methods; guide the declaration, management, and updating of information to ensure uniformity.

Article 5. Responsibilities of prisoners and visitors

1. Responsibilities of prisoners when meeting relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals

a) Wear long-sleeved clothing provided by the detention facility, ensuring neatness and propriety; if not yet provided with clothing by the detention facility, wear long-sleeved clothing already stamped according to regulations;

b) Adhere to laws and internal regulations of the detention facility, visitation house rules;

c) Follow the guidance of responsible staff during the organization of meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals.

2. Responsibilities of visitors

a) Relatives of prisoners must submit a request to meet the prisoner for the first time or if they are not listed in the Prisoner Visit Book; representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals must have a written request or application to meet the prisoner;

b) Declare and confirm the contents of the Prisoner Visit Book as prescribed;

c) Present identification documents or use an electronic identity account or a confirmation document about personal identity with a recent photograph issued by the local police station; provide proof of being a relative of the prisoner or an application to meet the prisoner with confirmation from the local police station or the agency, organization where the individual works or studies (for the first meeting without a Prisoner Visit Book or not listed in the Prisoner Visit Book);

d) Adhere to laws and internal regulations of the visitation house, internal regulations of the detention facility;

đ) Follow the guidance of staff on duty and other responsible staff;

e) Not bring into the visitation house or private meeting room items prohibited from being brought into places where prisoners serve their sentences according to the list of prohibited items set forth by the Minister of Public Security;

g) Truthfully declare the gift sending form for prisoners and commit to bear legal responsibility for the items sent in case of sending items to prisoners;

h) In the case of a private meeting, they may bring along clothing, towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, plastic combs, drinking water, contraception devices, and sexually transmitted disease prevention equipment for the case of meeting a spouse.

3. When communicating, visitors and prisoners must use Vietnamese; in cases where ethnic minorities or foreigners do not know Vietnamese, they may use another language but must ensure that the detention facility can manage and monitor the content of the meeting. Deaf or mute persons may use sign language or communication support devices but must be checked by responsible staff before use.

Article 6. Standards, tasks, and authorities of staff organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals

1. Standards for staff organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals

a) Be a professional officer;

b) Have qualifications, capabilities, work experience, and the ability to manage and supervise prisoners;

c) Possess strong political resolve, good moral character, integrity, honesty, and responsibility in performing duties.

2. Staff organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals are assigned to perform tasks on a dedicated basis at prisons, on a dedicated or concurrent basis at outside labor areas and temporary detention centers, in accordance with job requirements and staffing conditions.

3. Tasks and authorities of staff organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals

a) Receive and check documents, verify information of visitors; record prisoners eligible for meetings in the tracking book and deposit money for prisoners, report to the prison warden, temporary detention center warden, or authorized leader for approval before organizing meetings;

b) Report and propose in writing to the prison warden, temporary detention center warden, or authorized leader regarding extending meeting times with relatives, holding private meetings, or adding one additional meeting within a month (the report and proposal must include opinions of the wardens responsible for prisoner groups, surveillance officers, night guards, education officers, medical personnel);

c) Report to the person in charge of outside labor areas to seek permission from authorized leaders via communication means regarding allowing prisoners to meet relatives; after the meeting ends, complete and store documents as required under point h clause of this article within seven days from the end of the meeting;

d) Inspect and control money and items sent by relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals to prisoners at the visitation house; control items brought into private meeting rooms by relatives; guide relatives to declare personal items not allowed in private meeting rooms, sign confirmation, and store them in the visitation house lockers;

đ) Draft a record and inform visitors in the event that the prisoner refuses to meet or refuses to accept money or items;

e) Manage and supervise prisoners from reception until the end of the meeting; hand over prisoners to night guards and sign off in the prisoner entry and exit tracking book or hand over to wardens responsible for prisoner groups; coordinate with functional staff to escort prisoners for visits, maintain order in the visitation house area; nhân or hand over to the warder responsible for the prisoner group; cooperate with functional staff to escort prisoners for visits, maintain order in the visitation house area;

g) In cases where many relatives come to visit or there are security and order requirements, report to unit leadership to strengthen staff coordination to organize meetings between prisoners and their relatives in accordance with regulations and strictly manage and supervise to ensure security and order in the detention facility.

h) Update fully the file, documents, and information regarding the process of organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals, and manage and store files and documents according to the file management regime of the Ministry of Public Security;

i) Stop meetings with prisoners when prisoners, relatives, or representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals violate laws, internal regulations of the detention facility, visiting house regulations, or show signs of affecting security and safety; record the incident, report to leadership for examination and handling according to regulations;

k) Perform other tasks and powers assigned by the Prison Director or Detention Center Director;

Article 7. Visiting House for Prisoners

1. The visiting house for prisoners shall be located in a convenient place for managing and supervising prisoners and organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals; it must ensure requirements for security, safety, hygiene, fire prevention, and necessary conditions for inspecting and controlling people and objects;

2. For areas outside the prison where labor takes place, the Prison Director shall arrange appropriate meeting places based on specific conditions but must ensure security, safety, management requirements, educational reform of prisoners, and implementation of policies for prisoners;

3. The visiting house for prisoners must display the sign "Visiting House for Prisoners"; provide lockers for visitors' personal belongings, have suggestion boxes, publicly post the internal regulations of the visiting house for prisoners, and list prohibited items as stipulated by the Minister of Public Security for relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or individuals, and prisoners to follow;

Article 8. Regulations on Prisoners Receiving Gifts

1. When meeting persons as prescribed in Article 2 of this Circular, prisoners may receive Vietnamese currency and items; the quantity of items received in one meeting shall not exceed five kilograms. For food gifts, visitors must purchase them from the prison's cafeteria; if the prison's cafeteria cannot meet the demand, the Prison Director or Detention Center Director shall examine and decide;

2. Each month, prisoners may receive items sent through postal services from relatives no more than twice, each time not exceeding three kilograms; if relatives send once, it shall not exceed six kilograms;

3. Juvenile prisoners may receive Vietnamese currency and items when meeting relatives; the quantity of items received shall not exceed seven kilograms; each month, juvenile prisoners may receive items sent through postal services no more than twice, each time not exceeding seven kilograms; if relatives send once, it shall not exceed fourteen kilograms;

4. Regulations on Sending and Receiving Items Through Postal Services Are As Follows:

a) Items sent through postal services include clothing, face towels, quilts, mats, shoes, hats, glasses with plastic frames, sanitary products;

b) Sending and receiving items through postal services must ensure that the sender is registered, the recipient is correct, the weight is accurate, the items comply with the list specified in point a of this clause, and are suitable for the prisoner's needs, storage conditions, hygiene, security, and safety of the detention facility;

c) Upon receiving items sent through postal services, the detention facility shall inspect, classify, and tally the types, quantities, and weights of items. If the quantity or weight of items sent exceeds the prisoner's usage needs or does not meet the storage and management conditions, the detention facility shall determine the quantity and weight of items the prisoner can receive appropriately;

d) In cases where prisoners refuse to accept items sent through postal services, the detention facility must record the refusal; the detention facility shall return the mail to the postal service unit according to the law on postal services; the return shipping fee shall be paid by the sender unless otherwise provided by law or the postal service contract;

5. Each month, prisoners may receive Vietnamese currency from relatives deposited into bank accounts registered with the prison or detention center no more than twice;

6. The number of relatives allowed to register to send items to prisoners through postal services and deposit money into banks shall not exceed two and must be listed in the Visit Register. Staff at the detention facility must cross-reference with the registered relative list, inspect, and record the money, items, and letters sent by relatives to prisoners through banks or postal services before handing them over to the prisoners;

7. Each time a prisoner is rewarded with an additional gift according to the increase in the number of times they can receive gifts as stipulated in point d of Clause 1 of Article 39 of the Criminal Execution Law, they may receive an additional gift, not exceeding five kilograms for item gifts;

Juvenile prisoners who are rewarded according to the increase in the number of times they can receive gifts as stipulated in point e of Clause 1 of Article 168 of the Juvenile Justice Law may receive an additional gift, not exceeding seven kilograms for item gifts;

8. Regarding the regulations on prisoners receiving and using medicines for disease prevention and treatment, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of Article 6 of Decree No. 170/2026/NĐ-CP detailing and guiding the implementation of certain articles of the Criminal Execution Law;

9. In cases where items sent by relatives when meeting prisoners or through postal services fall under the list of prohibited items, they shall be handled according to the regulations of the Minister of Public Security on prohibited items brought into places where prisoners serve their sentences, the confiscation, and handling of prohibited items, and other relevant laws;

10. The Prison Director or Detention Center Director shall be responsible for disseminating information to prisoners to inform their relatives of the prisoner's address while serving their sentence and the list of prohibited items to be brought into places where prisoners serve their sentences so that relatives can send gifts; the number of relatives allowed to register to send items through postal services and deposit money into banks for one prisoner.

11. Based on specific conditions, the detention facility organizes canteen activities to sell food and essential goods to prisoners. The selling price must be reviewed monthly by the Prison Director or Detention Center Director and publicly posted at no higher than the local retail price. Any surplus from the canteen operations (if any) shall be used to support educational and reform activities for prisoners and to invest in and purchase facilities for the detention facility in accordance with the law. shall be reviewed monthly and publicly posted at prices not exceeding the local retail price. Any surplus funds from the cafeteria operations (if any) shall be used to support educational rehabilitation activities for inmates and to invest in and purchase facilities for the place of detention in accordance with the law.

Article 9. Provisions on prisoners receiving and sending letters

1. Prisoners may receive and send letters through postal services or when meeting relatives, representatives of agencies, organizations, or other individuals.

2. The Prison Director or Detention Center Director directs the inspection and review of letters sent and received by prisoners; if illegal content, threats to security, or content unsuitable for management and prisoner education and reform requirements are discovered, they shall record it in a report and handle it according to the law.

3. If a prisoner under investigation, prosecution, or trial for another criminal act, or a prisoner extracted from custody who is not a suspect or defendant, and whose case is being handled by an agency that requests the detention facility not to allow the prisoner to receive or send letters, then the Prison Director or Detention Center Director shall consider and implement the request of the handling agency and inform the prisoner; in necessary cases, inform the prisoner's relatives.

Article 10. Provisions on communication of inmates

Article 10. Provisions on prisoner communication

1. Prisoners may make telephone calls or connect audio and video with relatives within the country once a month, each call lasting no more than ten minutes. Juvenile prisoners may make telephone calls or connect audio and video with relatives within the country no more than four times a month, each call lasting no more than fifteen minutes. Based on actual circumstances, the Prison Director or Detention Center Director shall decide on the form of communication for prisoners.

a) The place of detention shall cooperate with local telecommunications enterprises to install wired or wireless fixed telephones and organize telephone calls between inmates and their relatives; where it is impossible to install fixed telephones, mobile phones may be used to organize calls between inmates and their relatives;

b) The duration of the call shall be calculated from the moment the system successfully connects to the relative; the call charges shall be calculated based on the service fee of the telecommunications enterprise and paid by the inmate from the deposited funds through a bookkeeping method or other lawful sources (if any); but must be approved by the Prison Director, Temporary Detention Center Director;

c) Prisoners may only communicate using the registered telephone number and relative, and the content must be recorded in the Prisoner Communication Tracking Book; they must use Vietnamese, except in cases where the prisoner is a foreign national or a member of a minority ethnic group who does not know Vietnamese.

In cases where technical system failures interrupt the call or the relative refuses to connect, the detention facility shall arrange for a suitable time to reconnect but the total call duration shall not exceed ten minutes, and for juvenile prisoners, it shall not exceed fifteen minutes.

d) Relatives participating in telephone calls with prisoners shall not record or disseminate the call content in any form.

3. Inmates connecting audio-visual with relatives via electronic means

a) Inmates shall connect audio-visual with relatives through a technical system managed, arranged, and supervised by the place of detention. Audio-visual connection via electronic means does not replace the face-to-face meeting regime as prescribed;

b) The duration of the connection shall be counted from the moment the system successfully connects. In case of technical issues causing interruptions during the connection, the place of detention shall consider rescheduling at a suitable time, but the total connection time shall not exceed 10 minutes, and for minor inmates, it shall not exceed 15 minutes. If the connection cannot be made due to refusal or unsuccessful connection by the relative, the place of detention shall consider rescheduling within the month when conditions permit;

c) The cost of audio-visual connection via electronic means with relatives shall be borne by the inmate according to the actual service charge; if using a shared subscription package, the costs shall be allocated transparently among the inmates who have used the service in the month or according to a plan approved by the Prison Director, Temporary Detention Center Director;

d) Inmates wishing to connect audio-visual via electronic means must register with the place of detention a list of relatives; the list shall not exceed five people, and for minor inmates, it shall not exceed seven people. Relatives registered must be listed in the Visit Book or confirmed by another method;

đ) Inmates may only connect audio-visual with registered relatives who have been approved by the place of detention; such connections can only be made within the territory of Vietnam.

e) Relatives participating in audio and video communication shall not record, photograph, live stream, or disseminate the communication content in any form.

4. The organization for prisoners to communicate shall be carried out at the time and place arranged by the detention facility, under the supervision of staff from the detention facility. In case the content of communication is found to be inconsistent with the registered content, violates laws, internal regulations of the detention facility, or is not in accordance with the approved communication object, communication must be stopped; if necessary, a record shall be made and reported for handling according to regulations. Staff assigned to supervise prisoners communicating with relatives must have a logbook to update information on organizing communication for prisoners with their relatives. organizing communication for prisoners with their relatives.

5. Prisoners who are being investigated, prosecuted, or tried for another criminal act, or prisoners who are extracted from cases where they are not suspects or defendants and the competent authority has a document requesting the detention facility not to allow prisoners to communicate with their relatives or to cooperate to monitor the communication regime of the prisoner, then the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center shall consider and implement the request of the competent authority and clearly explain to the prisoner and the relatives of the prisoner.

6. Prisoners who are rewarded with an increase in the number of times allowed to communicate with their relatives according to the Law on Execution of Criminal Sentences shall be allowed to communicate with their relatives once more in that month, with a duration not exceeding 10 minutes. Juvenile prisoners who are rewarded with an increase in the number of times allowed to communicate with their relatives within the country according to the Law on Juveniles shall be allowed to communicate with their relatives once more in that month, with a duration not exceeding 15 minutes. Based on the actual situation, the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center shall consider and decide on the form of communication for the prisoner.

7. In urgent cases, based on a prisoner's application or verified information about urgent matters related to the health, life, rights, and legitimate interests of the prisoner or their relatives, the warder responsible for the prisoner team shall propose to the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center to consider and resolve to allow the prisoner to communicate with their relatives through an appropriate method; the duration shall not exceed 10 minutes and 15 minutes for juvenile prisoners, ensuring management and supervision requirements.

Article 11. Provisions on the management of money and retained items

1. When arriving at the place to serve a custodial sentence, if prisoners have unused luggage, money, valuable papers, electronic payment cards, gold, silver, precious stones, precious metals, or other valuable items, they must be recorded, sealed, and stored for management by the prison or temporary detention center; prisoners will be able to retrieve them upon completion of the custodial sentence, temporary suspension of execution of the custodial sentence, conditional early release, pardon, or transfer to another detention facility. For Vietnamese currency, it shall be stored for the prisoner's use.

2. If prisoners need to transfer money, valuable papers, electronic payment cards, gold, silver, precious stones, precious metals, or other valuable items to their relatives or legal representatives and bear the costs themselves, the prison or temporary detention center shall be responsible for transferring them via postal service according to the law or delivering them directly at the prison or temporary detention center. In the case of direct delivery, a detailed record must be made describing the quantity, weight, type, shape, size, color, condition, and other characteristics of the items delivered.

3. Foreign prisoners with foreign currency or civil enforcement agencies coming to the detention facility to return seized foreign currency, if the prisoner requests to convert it into Vietnamese currency for storage or to fulfill civil obligations, the Warden of the prison or the Warden of the temporary detention center shall consider and assign staff to exchange foreign currency at the bank according to the law and the exchange rate at the time of transaction.

4. When prisoners are transferred to another detention facility, the money and retained items of the prisoner (if any) shall be handed over to the receiving facility. The handover must be recorded with signatures of both parties and the prisoner; if the prisoner cannot sign or refuses to sign, the reason must be clearly stated in the record.

Article 12. Provisions on the receipt and use of cash deposits by offenders

1. Relatives, representatives of organizations or individuals coming to meet and send Vietnamese currency to prisoners, staff responsible for organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of organizations or individuals must guide them to deposit money into the account of the prison or temporary detention center; in case relatives, representatives of organizations or individuals send cash, the receiving staff and the sender must sign the receipt book for meeting and visiting, the logbook for monitoring meeting and sending retained money to prisoners (if there is no logbook, a receipt must be issued to the sender).

2. At the end of the working day, staff responsible for organizing meetings between prisoners and their relatives, representatives of organizations or individuals must hand over retained money to the logistics and finance department of the prison or temporary detention center; for areas outside the prison, remote sub-prisons, remote sub-temporary detention centers, the handover must be conducted at least once a week and immediately notified to the canteen sales staff to record this amount in the prisoner's canteen purchase logbook or update it into the electronic account managing retained money and purchases of prisoners.

3. Detention facilities shall open accounts at banks and create QR codes, posted in the visitor area or publicly displayed in an appropriate manner for relatives to send money to prisoners.

Sending money to prisoners through banks must ensure the authenticity of the sender, traceability of transactions, correct recipient, compliance with financial, banking laws, anti-money laundering laws, and other relevant laws.

4. The content of money transferred to prisoners must clearly state the name and identification information of the sender, as well as the name and identification information of the prisoner receiving the money. In cases where the sender or recipient of the money is unclear, the transfer does not comply with the designated recipient, or there are signs of violation of the law, the detention facility shall verify and handle according to the regulations.

5. Bonuses, partial compensation for labor, surplus supplementary food expenses, and results exceeding the assigned quotas may be transferred into escrow for prisoners to use to purchase goods at the cafeteria, communicate with family members, send money back to family members, or recover upon completion of the criminal sentence, conditional pardon, early release, or execution of additional penalties such as fines, civil damages, court fees, and other civil obligations, and payment for organ or body part donations if they meet the prescribed conditions.

6. In addition to the stipulated meals under the Criminal Enforcement Law, prisoners may use their own funds to purchase additional food at the cafeteria of the detention facility, but not more than five times the monthly meal allowance per prisoner.

The cost of purchasing essential goods for daily living needs is not included in the amount of additional food purchases by prisoners.

7. In cases where a prisoner dies, the remaining balance in the escrow account that has not been used, stored items, and personal property (if any) must be recorded in the prisoner's death report and handed over to the prisoner's family members or legal representatives, or referred to the competent authority for resolution in accordance with the law.

8. The Department of Prison Management, Compulsory Education Facilities, and Rehabilitation Schools shall guide prisons and temporary detention centers in applying science and technology to manage escrow funds, cafeteria purchases, and bank transfers from prisoners to ensure transparency and compliance with legal provisions.

Article 13. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect on July 1, 2026.

2. Circular No. 14/2020/TT-BCA dated February 10, 2020, issued by the Minister of Public Security detailing the rules for meetings, gift exchanges, and communication of prisoners, shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

1. The Minister, Heads of Ministries equivalent to ministries, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees under the central government, and related agencies, units, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

1. The Director of the Department of Prison Management, Compulsory Education Facilities, and Rehabilitation Schools is responsible for monitoring, guiding, and inspecting the implementation of this Circular.

2. Heads of units under the Ministry, Provincial Police Chiefs, Prison Governors, Temporary Detention Center Governors, and related organizations and individuals within their scope of functions, duties, and powers are responsible for implementing 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 Department of Prison Management, Compulsory Education Facilities, and Rehabilitation Schools) for guidance.