THE Shenzhen Intermediate People s Court heard three applications for parole Friday, the first time this has been done in Shenzhen.
More than 20 journalists and other representatives were invited to sit in on the open hearing, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported Saturday.
The three applicants had all served half their prison sentences which had earlier been reduced for good behavior.
The youngest of the three, identified only as Zeng, was sentenced to seven years for stealing cars, the paper said.
Zeng was rewarded several times for good conduct and had one year deducted from his sentence.
The three inmates were asked to attend the hearing to describe their performances in prison and had qualified for parole, according to the procuratorate.
A final decision will be made after a review of the prison s recommendations was completed, the chief judge said.
The Supreme People s Court issued a regulation in 2010 to require a court hearing and written applications for parole and commutation cases, the paper said.
(Li Hao)
