{"id":"F2011L01402","name":"International Transfer of Prisoners (China) Regulations 2011","slug":"international-transfer-of-prisoners-china-regulations-2011","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"114 of 2011","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":437570,"registerId":"F2011L01402-fast-fetch-1775954374890","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"International Transfer of Prisoners (China) Regulations 2011","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\ntitle: International Transfer of Prisoners (China) Regulations 2011 Regulations 2011\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nInternational Transfer of Prisoners (China) Regulations 20111\n\nSelect Legislative Instrument 2011 No. 114\n\nI, QUENTIN BRYCE, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following Regulations under the International Transfer of Prisoners Act 1997.\n\nDated 30 June 2011\n\nQUENTIN BRYCE\n\nGovernor-General\n\nBy Her Excellency’s Command\n\nBRENDAN O’CONNOR\n\nMinister for Justice\n\nContents\n\n 1 Name of Regulations \n\n 2 Commencement \n\n 3 Repeal \n\n 4 Definitions \n\n 5 Declaration of China as a transfer country \n\n 6 Application of the Act \n\nSchedule 1 Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China concerning Transfer of Sentenced Persons             \n\n \n\n \n\n1 Name of Regulations\n\n  These Regulations are the International Transfer of Prisoners (China) Regulations 2011.\n\n2 Commencement\n\n  These Regulations commence on the day the treaty comes into force for Australia.\n\n3 Repeal\n\n  The International Transfer of Prisoners (China) Regulations 2008 are repealed.\n\n4 Definitions\n\n  In these Regulations:\n\nAct means the International Transfer of Prisoners Act 1997.\n\ntreaty means the treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China concerning Transfer of Sentenced Persons, done at Sydney on 6 September 2007, a copy of the English text of which is set out in Schedule 1.\n\n5 Declaration of China as a transfer country\n\n  For subsection 8 (1) of the Act, China is declared to be a transfer country for the purposes of the Act.\n\n6 Application of the Act\n\n  For subsection 8 (2) of the Act, the Act applies to China subject to the treaty.\n\nSchedule 1 Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China concerning Transfer of Sentenced Persons\n\n(regulation 4, definition of treaty)\n\n \n\nAustralia and the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”);  \n\nOn the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and equality and mutual benefit;  \n\nDesiring to cooperate in the enforcement of penal sentences; and  \n\nDesiring to co-operate in the transfer of sentenced persons and to facilitate their successful reintegration into society;  \n\nHave decided to conclude this Treaty and agreed as follows:\n\n\nARTICLE 1  DEFINITIONS\n\nFor the purposes of this Treaty:  \n\n(a) “Transferring Party” means the party in which the sentence was imposed on the person who may be, or has been, transferred;\n\n(b) “Receiving Party” means the party to which the sentenced person may be, or has been, transferred;\n\n(c) “sentenced person” refers to a person who has been sentenced by a court or tribunal to imprisonment in the Transferring Party.\n\n\nARTICLE 2  GENERAL PROVISIONS\n\n(1) The Parties undertake to afford each other the widest measure of cooperation in respect of the transfer of sentenced persons in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty.\n\n(2) The Parties may, in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty, transfer a sentenced person to each other to enforce the sentence imposed against the person in the territory of the Receiving Party.\n\n\nARTICLE 3  CENTRAL AUTHORITIES\n\n(1) The Central Authorities of the Parties shall process requests for transfer in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty.\n\n(2) The Central Authorities referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article shall be the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department for Australia and the Ministry of Justice for the People’s Republic of China. Should either Party change its designated Central Authority, it shall notify the other Party of such change in writing through diplomatic channels.\n\n(3) The Central Authorities shall communicate directly with each other for the purpose of this Treaty.\n\n\nARTICLE 4  CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFER\n\nA sentenced person may be transferred only if:  \n\n(a) the conduct on account of which the sentence was imposed against the sentenced person also constitutes an offence under the laws of the Receiving Party;  \n\n(b) the sentenced person is a national of the Receiving Party. In exceptional circumstances both Parties can agree to waive this condition;\n\n(c) the sentenced person has at least one year remaining to be served at the time of the request for transfer. In exceptional cases, the Parties may agree to a transfer even if the remaining period of time to be served by the sentenced person is less than one year;\n\n(d) the judgment is final and no further legal proceedings relating to the offence, or any other offence, are pending in the Transferring Party; and\n\n(e) the Transferring and Receiving Parties and the sentenced person all agree to the transfer. Where in view of age, or physical or mental condition of the sentenced person, either Party considers it necessary, the sentenced person’s consent may be given by the person’s legal representative. The transfer, including terms relating to the recovery of any costs which may be incurred, must be consented to in writing by the sentenced person or their legal representative.\n\n\nARTICLE 5  DECISION TO TRANSFER\n\nEach party may determine at its discretion whether or not to agree to the transfer requested by the other Party.\n\n\nARTICLE 6  NOTIFICATION\n\n(1) The Parties shall endeavour to inform sentenced persons of the substance of this Treaty.\n\n(2) The sentenced person shall be kept informed in writing of the progress of their application for transfer.\n\n\nARTICLE 7  REQUEST AND REPLY\n\n(1) A sentenced person may apply to either Party for a transfer according to this Treaty. The Party to which the sentenced person has made an application for transfer must notify the other Party in writing of the application.\n\n(2) A request for transfer may be made by either Party. The requested Party shall promptly inform the requesting Party of its decision whether or not to agree to the requested transfer.\n\n(3) Requests for, and replies to, transfer shall be made in writing and transmitted through the channel as provided in Article 3.\n\n\nARTICLE 8  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION\n\n(1) A request for transfer shall include the following:\n\n(a) the name, date and place of birth of the sentenced person;\n\n(b) a statement of the nationality of the sentenced person; and\n\n(c) the location where the sentenced person is being detained.\n\n(2) Where a request for transfer has been made, unless it has been refused by either Party, the Transferring Party shall provide the Receiving Party with the following information and documents:\n\n(a) a certified copy of the judgment, statement of the facts upon which the conviction and sentence were based, and statement of the relevant law creating the offence;\n\n(b) the termination date of the sentence, if applicable, and the length of time already served by the sentenced person including any pretrial confinement;\n\n(c) details of any request, if any, for extradition of the sentenced person that has been made to the Transferring Party or of any State that has expressed interest in extraditing the sentenced person or that is likely, in the opinion of the Transferring Party, to request extradition;\n\n(d) any corrections and medical reports on the sentenced person, including information about their treatment in the Transferring Party, and any recommendation for their further treatment in the Receiving Party; and\n\n(e) a copy of the written application for transfer by the sentenced person.\n\n(3) The Receiving Party shall provide the Transferring Party with the following information and documents:\n\n(a) a statement that the sentenced person is a national of the Receiving Party;\n\n(b) a statement that the conditions included in Article 4(a) have been met; and\n\n(c) a statement or information describing how the sentenced person's sentence would be enforced by the Receiving Party.\n\n(4) Either Party shall, if requested and as far as possible, provide the other Party with any relevant documents, statements or information before making a request for transfer or taking a decision on whether or not to agree to a transfer.\n\n\nARTICLE 9  CONSENT OF THE SENTENCED PERSON AND VERIFICATION\n\n(1) The Transferring Party shall ensure that the sentenced person or his or her legal representative voluntarily consents to the transfer with full knowledge of the legal consequences of the transfer; and makes a written declaration confirming that the consent is voluntary and made with full knowledge of the legal consequences of the transfer. The procedure for giving such consent shall be governed by the law of the Transferring Party.\n\n(2) Where the Receiving Party requests, the Transferring Party shall afford the Receiving Party the opportunity to verify, through an official designated by the Receiving Party, that the sentenced person has consented in accordance with the conditions set out in paragraph (1) of this Article.\n\n\nARTICLE 10  DELIVERY OF THE SENTENCED PERSON\n\nWhere an agreement is reached on a transfer, the Parties shall determine the time, place in the territory of the Transferring Party, and procedure for the transfer, through consultation through the channels as provided in Article 3.\n\n\nARTICLE 11  RETENTION OF JURISDICTION\n\n(1) The Transferring Party shall retain jurisdiction for the modification or cancellation of convictions and sentences imposed by its courts.  \n\n(2) The Receiving Party shall modify or terminate enforcement of the sentence as soon as it is informed of any decision by the Transferring Party in accordance with this Article that results in modification or cancellation of a conviction or sentence imposed by its courts.\n\n\nARTICLE 12  CONTINUED ENFORCEMENT OF SENTENCE\n\n(1) After receiving the sentenced person, the Receiving Party shall continue to enforce the sentence pursuant to the nature and the duration of the sentence determined by the Transferring Party, as if the sentence had been imposed in the Receiving Party.\n\n\n(2) If the sentence as determined by the Transferring Party is by its nature or duration incompatible with the law of the Receiving Party, the Receiving Party may adapt the sentence in accordance with the sentence prescribed by its own domestic law for a similar offence. When adapting the sentence:   \n\n(a) the Receiving Party shall be bound by the findings of facts insofar as they appear from the judgment imposed by the Transferring Party;\n\n\n(b) the Receiving Party shall not adapt a penalty of deprivation of liberty to a pecuniary penalty;   \n\n(c) the adapted sentence shall, as far as possible, correspond with that imposed by the sentence in the Transferring Party;  \n\n(d) the adapted sentence shall be no more severe than that imposed by the Transferring Party in terms of nature or duration;  \n\n(e) the adapted sentence is not bound by the minimum duration of penalty applicable to a similar offence prescribed by the laws of the Receiving Party; and  \n\n(f) the period of time served by the sentenced person under a sentence of imprisonment in the Transferring Party shall be deducted.  \n\n(3) When adapting a sentence in accordance with paragraph (2) of this Article, the Receiving Party shall transmit a copy of the legal document on the adaptation to the Transferring Party.\n\n\nARTICLE 13  APPLICABLE LAW FOR THE CONTINUED ENFORCEMENT OF SENTENCE\n\n(1) The continued enforcement of the sentence after transfer shall be governed by the laws and procedures of the Receiving Party.  \n\n(2) The Receiving Party may, if a sentenced person would be a juvenile according to its law, treat the sentenced person as a juvenile regardless of the sentenced person’s status under the law of the Transferring Party.   \n\n(3) The law of the Receiving Party shall apply to the sentenced person for the reduction of sentence, parole or other relevant measures during enforcement of sentence.   \n\n(4) Either Party may, in accordance with its domestic law, grant a pardon to the sentenced person transferred and shall inform promptly the other Party of the decision through the channel as provided in Article 3.    \n\n(5) The Receiving Party shall terminate enforcement of the sentence as soon as it is informed of any decision by the Transferring Party in accordance with paragraph (4) of this Article to pardon the sentenced person.  \n\n(6) The Receiving Party or the Transferring Party, as appropriate, shall inform the sentenced person in writing of any action or decisions taken under paragraphs (2) to (4) of this Article.\n\n\nARTICLE 14  INFORMATION ON ENFORCEMENT OF SENTENCE\n\nThe Receiving Party shall provide information to the Transferring Party concerning the enforcement of the sentence if:  \n\n(a) the sentenced person is granted parole;  \n\n(b) the enforcement of the sentence has been completed;  \n\n(c) the sentenced person has escaped from custody or died before the enforcement of the penalty has been completed; or  \n\n(d) the Transferring Party requests a specific statement.\n\n\nARTICLE 15   TRANSIT OF SENTENCED PERSONS\n\nIf either Party transfers a sentenced person to or from a place outside of its territory the other Party shall, subject to its domestic law, cooperate in facilitating the transit through its territory of such a sentenced person. The Party intending to make such a transfer shall give advance notice to the other Party of such transit except where air transportation is used and no landing in the territory of the other party is scheduled.\n\n\nARTICLE 16  LANGUAGE\n\nFor the purpose of this Treaty, the Parties shall communicate in their official language and provide a translation in the official language of the addressed Party.\n\n\nARTICLE 17  EXPENSES\n\nThe Receiving Party shall bear the expenses of:  \n\n(a) the transfer of the sentenced person, except the expenses incurred exclusively in the territory of the Transferring Party; and   (b) the continued enforcement of the sentence after transfer.\n\n\nARTICLE 18  CONSULTATION AND SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES\n\n(1) The Central Authorities of the Parties may consult with each other to promote the most effective use of this Treaty and to agree upon such practical measures as may be necessary to facilitate the implementation of this Treaty.  \n\n(2) Any dispute arising out of the interpretation, application or implementation of this Treaty shall be resolved through diplomatic channels.\n\n\nARTICLE 19  CERTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION\n\nAny documents provided through the Central Authorities in accordance with this Treaty shall not require any form of authentication or certification.\n\n\nARTICLE 20  ENTRY INTO FORCE AND TERMINATION\n\n(1) Each Party shall inform the other by diplomatic note when all necessary steps have been taken for entry into force of this Treaty. This Treaty shall enter into force on the thirtieth day from the date of the later diplomatic note.  \n\n(2) The Treaty shall also be applicable to the transfer of sentenced persons against whom the sentence was imposed before its entry into force.  \n\n(3) Either Party may terminate this Treaty at any time by notice in writing to the other Party through diplomatic channels. Termination shall take effect on the one hundred and eightieth day after the date on which the notice is given.\n\n\nIN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Treaty.  Done in duplicate at Sydney on the sixth day of September two thousand and seven in English and Chinese languages, each text being equally authentic.\n\n| For Australia  ……………………………………… | For the People’s Republic of China  ……………………………………… |\n| --- | --- |\n| Hon Philip Ruddock  Attorney-General | HE Yang Jiechi  Minister of Foreign Affairs |\n\nNote\n\n1. All legislative instruments and compilations are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments kept under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. See http://www.frli.gov.au.\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"These Regulations replace the earlier International Transfer of Prisoners (China) Regulations 2008 (Regulation 3) and explicitly declare China a transfer country and make the Act apply to China subject to the Australia–China Transfer of Sentenced Persons treaty (Regulations 5–6). They therefore update and re‑state the legal instrument that governs transfers involving China, and tie the operation of the Act to the treaty text set out in Schedule 1 (Regulation 4; Schedule 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Interaction between the Regulations and the International Transfer of Prisoners Act 1997 (Regulations 5–6 reference subsections of the Act), requiring cross‑reference to primary legislation.","Detailed documentary and verification requirements for transfer requests (Treaty, Article 8; Article 9).","Discretion retained by each Party to accept or refuse transfers (Treaty, Article 5) and exceptional waiver clauses (Treaty, Article 4(b),(c)), creating case‑by‑case variability.","Rules for adaptation of sentences and retention of jurisdiction (Treaty, Articles 11–13) that require legal reconciliation between two domestic legal systems.","Administrative implementation demands on Central Authorities (designation, direct communication, translation, and record exchange) (Treaty, Articles 3, 16, 19).","Cost allocation that places most financial burden on the Receiving Party (Treaty, Article 17), which affects incentives and decision patterns.","Commencement and termination mechanics linked to diplomatic notes and entry into force timing (Regulation 2; Treaty, Article 20) rather than immediate statutory timing."],"plain_english_summary":"What these Regulations do (mechanics)\n\n- The International Transfer of Prisoners (China) Regulations 2011: (a) declare China to be a \"transfer country\" under the International Transfer of Prisoners Act 1997 (regulation 5); (b) provide that the Act applies to transfers involving China subject to the terms of the Australia–China treaty set out in Schedule 1 (regulation 6); (c) repeal the 2008 China regulations (regulation 3); and (d) come into force when the treaty enters into force for Australia (regulation 2).\n\nWhat the treaty says (key operational rules)\n\n- Central authorities: the Australian Attorney‑General’s Department and China’s Ministry of Justice are the designated Central Authorities; they process requests and communicate directly (Treaty, Article 3).\n\n- Who may be transferred: a person sentenced to imprisonment may be transferred only if a set of conditions are met, including dual‑criminality (the conduct is an offence in both States), nationality of the receiving State (with possible waiver by agreement), at least one year remaining to serve (subject to exception by agreement), a final judgment with no pending proceedings, and written consent of the sentenced person (Treaty, Article 4; Article 9).\n\n- Decision power and discretion: each Party may, at its discretion, decide whether to accept a transfer request (Treaty, Article 5). Central Authorities handle requests and may consult to settle practical arrangements (Articles 3 and 18).\n\n- Documentation and verification: a transfer request and replies must be in writing and include specified documents and information (personal details, certified copy of judgment, sentence history, medical/corrections reports, any extradition interest, and the prisoner’s written application and consent). The Transferring and Receiving Parties have reciprocal document obligations (Treaty, Articles 7, 8, 9).\n\n- Costs: the Receiving Party bears the expenses of the transfer (except those incurred solely in the Transferring Party’s territory) and the costs of continued enforcement after transfer (Treaty, Article 17).\n\n- Enforcement and adaptation of sentences: after transfer the Receiving Party enforces the sentence under its own law as if the sentence had been imposed there (Article 12(1) and Article 13(1)). If the sentence is incompatible with the Receiving Party’s law, the Receiving Party may adapt the sentence but must not impose a more severe penalty than the original and must deduct time already served (Article 12(2)(c)-(f)). The Transferring Party retains jurisdiction to modify or cancel convictions; the Receiving Party must act on such changes when notified (Article 11).\n\n- Parole, pardon and related measures: these are governed by the Receiving Party’s law during enforcement; either Party may grant a pardon under its domestic law and must inform the other Party (Article 13).\n\n- Other practical points: documents exchanged need no further authentication (Article 19); communication and translations are addressed (Article 16); transit and notification rules are included (Article 15); entry into force and termination timing are set out (Article 20).\n\nOfficial purpose claim and testing it against concrete mechanics\n\n- Official claim: the treaty’s preamble states the Parties \"desiring to co‑operate in the transfer of sentenced persons and to facilitate their successful reintegration into society.\" This is a statement of purpose in the instrument (Treaty, preamble).\n\n- Testing that claim against the instrument’s mechanics:\n  - Incentives and who pays: the Receiving Party bears most direct financial costs of transfer and continued enforcement (Article 17). That creates a clear fiscal incentive for a receiving State to be selective in accepting transfers (Article 5).\n  - Private choice and consent: the prisoner’s written, voluntary consent is required (Article 9). Transfers are therefore not automatic and depend on an individual’s decision as well as State agreement (Articles 4(e), 7(1)).\n  - Administrative/compliance burdens: central authorities must exchange specified certified documents, medical and corrections reports, and verify consent (Articles 3, 8, 9). This requires record‑keeping, translation and inter‑departmental processing and therefore imposes administrative workloads on the designated agencies.\n  - Bureaucratic discretion and implementation risk: each Party retains discretion to accept or refuse transfers (Article 5); exceptional waivers (for nationality or remaining term) require mutual agreement (Article 4(b),(c)). The combination of discretion and detailed documentary requirements creates implementation risk in the form of delays and variable case outcomes.\n  - Legal interaction and substitution effects: after transfer the Receiving Party applies its own law to enforcement (Article 13), but must respect certain factual findings and limits on increasing severity (Article 12). This may produce differences in parole eligibility, sentence length calculations or treatment regimes compared with remaining in the Transferring Party.\n\nWho pays, who decides, and how behaviour changes (plain statements with section citations)\n\n- Who pays: the Receiving Party pays the cost of transfer and the continued enforcement of the sentence, except for expenses incurred exclusively in the Transferring Party (Treaty, Article 17).\n- Who decides: each State decides at its own discretion whether to accept a transfer (Treaty, Article 5). The Central Authorities (Attorney‑General’s Department for Australia and China’s Ministry of Justice) process and exchange requests (Treaty, Article 3).\n- Behaviour changes: sentenced persons may apply for transfer (Treaty, Article 7(1)) and must give written voluntary consent (Treaty, Article 9). Central Authorities must compile, send and verify specified documents (Treaty, Articles 8 and 9).\n\nTrade‑offs and opportunity costs\n\n- The treaty creates the institutional option for transfers but not an obligation: Parties and individuals must expend administrative and fiscal resources to pursue transfers (Articles 3, 8, 17). The Receiving Party’s requirement to fund transfers and enforcement may discourage approvals in marginal cases (Article 17; Article 5).\n- Retaining Transferring Party jurisdiction to amend convictions (Article 11) preserves a supervisory link but requires ongoing communication and potential follow‑up administrative action from the Receiving Party (Article 11; Article 14).\n\nImplementation risk and compliance burden\n\n- Verification and translation obligations (Articles 9 and 16), the requirement for certified judgments and specific documentation (Article 8), and the need for direct Central Authority communications (Article 3) create identifiable administrative steps where delay or error can block transfers.\n- The rule that documents transmitted by Central Authorities need no further authentication (Article 19) reduces one form of legal friction.\n\nSummary takeaway (mechanical, source‑grounded)\n\n- These Regulations make Australia’s International Transfer of Prisoners Act 1997 operate in relation to China subject to the Australia–China transfer treaty. The treaty sets out step‑by‑step procedural rules (central authorities, required documents, consent, decision‑making), cost allocation (Receiving Party bears most costs), and legal effects after transfer (enforcement under Receiving Party law with limits). Transfers require the agreement of the Transferring Party, the Receiving Party, and the sentenced person, and are implemented through the designated Central Authorities under the treaty’s documentary and verification rules (Regulations 5–6; Treaty, Articles 3–13, 17)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Regulations maintain their original narrow purpose: giving domestic legal effect to the specific Australia-China prisoner transfer treaty. The 2011 version is a technical update that repeals the 2008 Regulations to align commencement with the treaty's actual entry into force, without expanding beyond the original bilateral scope."},"complexity_factors":["Short operative provisions (only 6 regulations) with minimal cross-referencing","Single defined term ('treaty') that incorporates an entire 20-article international agreement by reference","Treaty text contains conditional requirements (Article 4) with explicit waiver provisions ('In exceptional circumstances...')","Nested procedural requirements in Articles 8-10 involving document exchange between Central Authorities","Sentence adaptation rules (Article 12) contain six specific constraints on how the receiving country may modify sentences","Dual legal systems involved (Australian domestic law plus international treaty obligations) creating parallel compliance requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese Regulations implement a treaty between Australia and China that allows prisoners to be transferred between the two countries to serve their sentences closer to home. The Regulations declare China to be a \"transfer country\" under Australia's International Transfer of Prisoners Act 1997, which means Australian prisoners in China (and Chinese prisoners in Australia) can apply to finish their jail time in their home country.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n* **Australian citizens imprisoned in China** – they can apply to come home to serve their sentence\n* **Chinese nationals imprisoned in Australia** – they can apply to return to China to serve their sentence\n* **The Australian Attorney-General's Department and China's Ministry of Justice** – these are the \"Central Authorities\" that handle the paperwork and negotiations\n\n**How it works:**\n\nThe treaty attached to these Regulations sets out the rules:\n\n* The prisoner must **consent in writing** to the transfer\n* Both countries must **agree** to the transfer (either can say no)\n* The crime must be illegal in **both countries** (this is called \"dual criminality\")\n* Normally, the prisoner needs at least **one year left** on their sentence\n* The **receiving country** continues enforcing the sentence but can adapt it if their laws are different (e.g., converting to local sentence types, but never making it harsher)\n* The **transferring country** keeps control over appeals, pardons, and overturning convictions\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis helps prisoners rehabilitate by letting them serve time near family and in familiar cultural surroundings. It also lets countries enforce foreign sentences without having to build special facilities for foreign inmates. The 2011 version replaced earlier 2008 Regulations to match when the treaty actually came into force."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/international-transfer-of-prisoners-china-regulations-2011","history":"/api/acts/international-transfer-of-prisoners-china-regulations-2011/history","analysis":"/api/acts/international-transfer-of-prisoners-china-regulations-2011/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/international-transfer-of-prisoners-china-regulations-2011/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/international-transfer-of-prisoners-china-regulations-2011/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/international-transfer-of-prisoners-china-regulations-2011/documents"}}