As the most significant part of its traditional culture, Confucianism has had a large number of followers in China over the past 2,000 years because of its leading role in ancient moral values. In recent years, however, the rejuvenation of Chinese culture has drawn more people back to the wisdom of Confucian philosophy and the research of its classics. Courses aimed at promoting Confucian thought have been opened in some academic institutions and social organizations in the hopes of cultivating the youth and offering them an alternative viewpoint. Despite its obvious attributes, it still came as some surprise to people when a "Confucian classroom" was introduced to inmates by prison authorities in north China's Jilin Province.

According to a report in the Beijing Evening News in November, the Beijiao Prison, in Changchun City, capital of Jilin Province, has opened a "Confucian classroom" for a group of 30 inmates in order to share the value of Confucianism through the teaching of his analects. Meanwhile, the jail authorities will encourage the inmates by holding contests and study exchanges. By the end of the course, the participants will also take tests on Confucian knowledge.

"The study of traditional Chinese culture can help the inmates cultivate virtues and adopt good behavior," Yang Mingchang, the prison warden was quoted by Beijing Evening News as saying. "The wise sayings of Confucius, which advocate filial piety and mutual respect, are beneficial to the reform of prisoners," he added.

Will the study of Confucian philosophy help the process of rehabilitation? Some people believe that, if the inmates could readily accept the Confucian virtues and the Analects of Confucius and his disciples, they would learn more about traditional Chinese culture and form a better outlook on the world. Those opposed to the pilot education program insist that the best way for reforming criminals would be raising their moral standards and allowing them to learn vocational skills that could support their lives after being released.

Gong Ke, President of the Jilin Provincial Association for Confucian Studies, believes the "Confucian classroom" is a method of reform that can help prisoners overcome the need to do crime and look more at their inner selves.

"Confucius believed that laws could only correct people's behavioral mistakes, while the moral disciplines he advocated might change people completely from within," said Professor Jin Haifeng at the School of Culture, Changchun University.

The importance of ethics

Zhang Mai (Workers' Daily): Traditionally speaking, it is absolutely ridiculous to let violent criminals learn ethical codes instead of the law. As we all know, the major part of Confucian philosophy is focusing on humanitarian education. It is good for prisoners to learn more about ethics and virtues and adopt a correct outlook toward life.

Some criminals were habitually violent because they are not just ignorant of the rule of law, but also are not aware of how to conduct themselves within society. Thus legal awareness is of no consequence to a person of little conscience.

On the contrary, in China's obscure rural areas, a large number of illiterates are living without much concept of the law, but they are self-disciplined by following the teachings of the ancient sage.

The "Confucian classroom" in the prison might be a good trial to remodel the inmates. However, they still need to receive education on rules and regulations. It is impossible to expect a complete change from them only through the study of moral codes.

Quan Yun (www.singtaonet.com): I am not sure whether the thoughts of Confucius will help to remodel inmates in prison, but I am certain that the humane care and moral education will help them to better understand the value of life.

Additionally, the initiative at Beijiao Prison could not be simply regarded as innovation in educating the inmates, but more a return to our traditional morality.

It is true that, in the past 20-plus years, China's legal system has advanced rapidly as the public awareness improved. However, the crime rate still steadily climbs year by year. Why has the efforts to raise legal awareness not brought the crime rate under control? Apart from social reasons, the lack of traditional education for the youth could be factored in.

Belief is something foreign to people lost in the pursuit of fame and money. The Beijiao Prison should be applauded for its innovative approach in helping the prisoners to find a new belief for their future life.

Li Shaoqiang (hlj.rednet.com): The prison is set to save criminals who are lost, empowering them to continue the rest of life along a righteous path. In this sense, the study of Chinese tradition can be a remedy to heal the damage to people's spirits. Over the past thousand years, Confucianism has long been devoted to the concept that "benevolence means to love others," which is enhanced by friendship, tolerance, and aid to the people who are really in need.

Meanwhile, the "Confucian classroom" has broadened the views of the inmates by opening up a new platform for study and exchanges with the outside world. The interactive lectures and the heartfelt education programs are much conducive to the prisoners' reform than self-taught and passive learning.

Most importantly, the "Confucian classroom" can pass on love and care to the prisoners, as well as respect their dignity, by adopting a teaching method that they can better accept.

Dong Xuecao (www.zjol.com.cn): The Beijiao Prison does not institute the "Confucian classroom" to replace all the other rehabilitation programs, it only includes the traditional aspect. The Confucian philosophy, representing the essence of Chinese traditional culture, has been widespread all over the world. The inmates are also entitled to the study of traditional culture that will help them better integrate into society after fulfilling their term of punishment.

We cannot expect the "Confucian classroom" to make a total difference. It is even worse to make it a showcase to earn fame. At the same time, we can never drop other punishments and rehabilitation programs for inmates.

Prisons need a firm approach

Jiang Bojing (Nanjing Morning Post): Despite his profound wisdom, Confucius is not an omnipotent educator to meet the demands of all people.

Though the analects of this ancient sage have been around for thousands of years, crime is not extinct in China. Thefts and robberies cannot be simply curbed by several verses from great philosophers.

Confucianism is the invaluable treasure of our nation. Only if the later generations can use his philosophy for modern development, will people benefit. Otherwise, it might be of no meaning to our modern society.

Kong Bingji (hlj.rednet.com): Confucius is well known for his fundamental outlook on the world and his great influence on China's society. But to educate the inmates with his words only shows that the prison authorities have exhausted all other options. Decades of a combined education with home, school and society involved, the educated should be well aware of basic moral principles. Do prisoners really need to be educated again in terms of ethics? If so, what will be the difference between schools and prisons?

In other words, the criminals who committed violence are short of knowledge about the law, not on morality. The laws are there to punish wrongdoings. The prisons, as the places of custody are not components of school education. We need prisons that can transform and punish criminals.

Dong Fangyan (Beijing Youth Daily): Confucianism should be used to morally cultivate the youth, but it is not essential for prison inmates. The prisoners who are blinded by gains and ignorant of laws should be informed of what is right and wrong in accordance with the law.

The "Confucian classroom" under the guise of a study of traditional culture cannot avoid being seen as a suspicious showcase with no real merit. The prison wards are not houses of correction to persuade people to adopt the right attitude, they are places where criminals should be forced to give up the evil ways.

Yin Jianguang (Beijing Youth Daily): Is it really necessary to educate the common people by studying and researching traditional culture? I think maybe the excellence of today's society could be more easily accepted by modern people. In one word, the knowledge of virtues cannot be maintained if not put into use in our daily life. The study of Confucius' thoughts does help in the rehabilitation, but a successful reform requires the noble morality of modern times.