Inmate’s WeChat Post Exposes Prison Corruption

Netizens have expressed concerns about corruption in China’s prison system after an intermediate court in Jingzhou, Hubei Province recently heard a case about an inmate who gambled in prison and posted about it on WeChat. According to the court statement, Wang Shibing, serving a life sentence for a series of crimes including homicide, bribed five guards at a Hubei prison to smuggle in contraband such as a mobile phone, alcohol, bank cards and large amounts of cash. He not only organized gambling sessions and established himself as a point man between correctional officers and prisoners, but also nearly bribed his way to a reduced sentence. However, the court revoked the commutation and charged the police officers involved. Netizens discussed whether such corruption is rampant in China’s prisons and how watchdogs could be more effective.