Key practical points:
• A detention house holds people under investigation or trial and differs from a prison, which carries out final sentences.
• A detainee is entitled to food, bedding, and basic medical care, and insult and corporal punishment are prohibited.
• Meeting a lawyer is a guaranteed right within procedure, as is contact with the embassy for foreigners in most cases.
• Personal belongings are stored and recorded and returned on release.
• A detainee may file complaints or appeals to the supervising procuratorate.
• Visits and correspondence are subject to approval by the authority handling the case.
Regulations on Detention Houses of China · Yalla China
中华人民共和国看守所条例 / Regulations on Detention Houses of the PRC
Enacted: 1990-03-17 ✅ Effective: 1990-03-17
📝 Overview
These regulations govern detention houses that hold suspects and defendants pending investigation or trial, as well as those serving short sentences. They set the conditions of detention and detainees' rights. Issued by the State Council.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
If your relative is held in a detention house, contact a lawyer to arrange a meeting and understand the case stage. Direct family visits are often restricted during investigation, so the lawyer is the key channel. This is general orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
State Council / gov.cn
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026