China's 'Education First' Approach to Justice for Minors Masks Detention Blind Spots: CECC

China's 'Education First' Approach to Justice for Minors Masks Detention Blind Spots: CECC

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) points out that Chinese minors may still be subject to forced isolation and detoxification, as well as specialized correctional education systems. Behind the 779 compulsory detoxification institutions and 316 correctional institutions, issues of term, procedure guarantees, and independent supervision lack transparency.

Recently, China's Supreme Court and Supreme Procuratorate released typical cases of minors involved in drug-related crimes, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and education. However, the CECC notes that these publicly released cases do not touch on a key issue: minors may still be placed in forced isolation and detoxification or specialized correctional education systems.

According to the CECC's analysis of China's current laws, drug addicts can be subject to forced isolation and detoxification for up to two years, which can be extended by one year if other measures are ineffective. For minors under the age of 16, this measure has discretionary space, but the law does not completely exclude minors from forced isolation and detoxification systems or labor arrangements.

Figure: Relevant page image from CECC's "China Observation" Issue 7.

Another system is "specialized correctional education." For minors who do not bear criminal responsibility due to their age but have committed serious harmful acts, local governments can send them to special schools. The authorities emphasize that these schools are not detention facilities, but public security, judicial, and other departments participate in management, and some schools have police stationed on site. However, the law lacks a clear upper limit on the education term.

The CECC states that as of November 2025, there were 316 specialized correctional education institutions nationwide, with a capacity of over 28,000 people. As of 2023, there were 779 compulsory detoxification institutions nationwide, including eight that specifically receive minors. Due to the authorities' recent discontinuation of continuously releasing complete data, it is difficult for the outside world to determine how many minors are actually being placed there for extended periods.

International human rights organizations have previously raised systemic concerns about compulsory detoxification institutions in Asia and the Pacific, including insufficient procedural guarantees, forced labor, malnutrition, violence, and inadequate medical services. Chinese authorities emphasize that drug control and correctional education for minors aim to salvage, educate, and rehabilitate.

The key issue is thus not only "whether to punish minors" but also whether these compulsory measures have transparent procedures, independent appeal channels, and clear terms. If a minor can be restricted of their freedom for an extended period without public judicial review, the line between "education" and "detention" requires more stringent legal scrutiny.