About China's Prison System
China operates one of the largest prison systems in the world, managed by the Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China. The system includes prisons (jianyu) for sentenced offenders, detention centers (kanshousuo) for pre-trial detainees, and re-education facilities. China does not publish a centralized public inmate search system accessible to the public.
For inmate searches, use the official contacts listed below. For US citizens detained in China, contact the US Embassy in Beijing at +86 10 8531 4000 immediately, or call the State Department at 1-888-407-4747 from the US. Chinese authorities are required under the Vienna Convention to notify the US Embassy upon the detention of any US citizen.
Visitation rights in Chinese facilities are limited and heavily regulated. Foreign nationals may face additional restrictions. Contact the specific facility or local Public Security Bureau (PSB) directly to confirm visitation schedules.
China Resources & Legal Services
Key China Prison Contacts
| Agency / Facility | Location | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Justice | Beijing | +86 10 6520 5114 | Visit Site |
| US Embassy Beijing | Beijing | +86 10 8531 4000 | Visit Site |
| US Consulate Shanghai | Shanghai | +86 21 8011 2000 | Visit Site |
| US Consulate Guangzhou | Guangzhou | +86 20 3814 5000 | Visit Site |
| US Consulate Chengdu | Chengdu | +86 28 8558 3992 | Visit Site |
| State Dept Emergency (from US) | Washington DC | 1-888-407-4747 | Visit Site |