China's first and only prison directly run by the Ministry of Justice reported proper operation in the first year as a pilot project for penal system reform.

Three Chinese painters were invited by the Yancheng Prison to teach prisoners traditional Chinese painting Tuesday, also the first anniversary of the prison.

Bi Gong, a renowned landscape painter, decided to accept Xu Yongbin, one of the prisoners, as his student after seeing Xu's paintings.

"It surprised me that they can learn drawing in the prison," Bis aid. "They even have a studio."

"We expect not only to teach them a skill but also the goodness and beauty of life through art," said Zhang Jinsang, prison head and deputy-director of the ministry's Prison Management Bureau.

Well-equipped with medical and living facilities, the Yancheng Prison serves as a trial base for new administrative and remedial measures to be introduced to other prisons.

There are over 700 prisons in China. Except Yancheng Prison, all other prisons are under the administration of provincial or municipal governments.

The prison has tried to develop new ways to educate prisoners and protect their legal rights and interests, Zhang said, "learning painting is just one of them."

Xu Yongbin, a 33-year-old prisoner, had never learned painting before he was jailed three years ago in Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province, and moved here a year ago.

"I have never thought of learning painting, though I liked it in school, not to mention being a student of a good painter," he said. Now he spends six hours in the studio every day learning drawing and mounting pictures.

Paint, brushes and rice paper, are provided by the prison for free.

"I am really grateful for having such a chance," Xu said, "how could I start a new life if I learned nothing to make a living when released in my late 30s? "

Some of the prisoners have talents and it will be good for them and the society to give them a chance, Bi said.

A cluster of low buildings painted in light yellow surrounded by lawn make up the jail, 30 km east to the capital city Beijing.

The prison, covering an area of 40 hectares, now holds some 300male prisoners and plans to house convicted senior government officials and foreigners by the end of this year.

The second phase of prison construction is under preparation, including a workshop and new cell-block building. After that the prison will be able to house about 1,000 people.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2003)