The Ministry of National Defence is seeking feedback on a draft circular regulating visitation, gift reception and communication for inmates. Under the proposal, inmates may be allowed to make domestic video calls with family members free of charge.

The draft states that inmates are entitled to meet relatives in accordance with Clause 1, Article 49 of the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments. In certain cases, inmates may have extended visits or meet their spouse in a private room.

Specifically, when visit durations are extended to no more than three hours, or when inmates are allowed to meet their spouse in a private room for up to 24 hours, prison authorities may permit them to share meals with relatives, depending on conditions.

Each time an inmate achieves merit or receives a reward in the form of increased visitation, they may be granted one additional visit per month.

Inmates who violate prison regulations and are subject to disciplinary measures are limited to one visit every two months, with each visit not exceeding one hour, until they are officially recognised as having made progress. Those held in disciplinary cells are not allowed to receive visits.

Proposal to increase weight limit for gifts

The draft circular includes a dedicated chapter on inmates receiving gifts, sending and receiving letters, and maintaining contact with relatives.

Accordingly, inmates may receive gifts in the form of items weighing no more than 5kg per visit when meeting relatives, representatives of agencies or organisations, or other individuals. This marks an increase from the current limit of 3kg under Circular 182/2019.

In addition, inmates may receive parcels by post twice a month, each weighing no more than 3kg. If only one delivery is made, the total weight must not exceed 6kg. All items must be thoroughly inspected before being brought into detention facilities, and prohibited items will be handled in accordance with regulations.

In cases where inmates have not received gifts for an extended period, the head of the detention facility may allow a higher weight limit.

The ministry also proposes that inmates rewarded with additional gift entitlements may receive one extra delivery of up to 5kg.

Inmates are allowed to send and receive letters via postal services or during visits. Prison authorities must inspect and censor correspondence, and any content deemed inappropriate for management, education or rehabilitation purposes may be confiscated.

For inmates who frequently violate prison regulations or are placed in separate detention or under disciplinary measures, the head of the facility may restrict their ability to send and receive letters for up to three months, depending on the severity of violations.

Regarding communication, the draft proposes that inmates may make phone calls or use audio-visual connections domestically with relatives in accordance with Clause 2, Article 51 of the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments.

For phone calls, detention facilities will coordinate with local telecommunications providers to install wired or wireless fixed-line systems, allowing inmates to make one call per month, with each call lasting no more than 10 minutes and limited to three registered phone numbers. Call charges are based on telecom service rates and paid by inmates from their personal funds or other approved sources.

When making calls, inmates must use registered phone numbers and communicate in Vietnamese, unless otherwise decided by the head of the detention facility.

For video calls, facilities will be equipped with a specialised information system managed by the Ministry of National Defence, using internet-based connections to enable audio-visual communication when conditions are met.

Inmates must register the contact details and phone numbers of relatives. When connecting, relatives are required to provide full identification information, confirm their relationship with the inmate and specify the intended time of communication.

Communication is only permitted when the relative’s image and audio are directly captured on the device and match previously registered identification data. Inmates must follow registered information and use Vietnamese during communication, unless otherwise approved.

Communication between inmates and relatives is limited to one session per month, with each session lasting no more than 10 minutes. Fees may be waived or applied in accordance with regulations set by competent authorities.

Inmates rewarded with additional communication privileges may make one extra phone or video call per month, with each session not exceeding 10 minutes.

Tran Thuong