A total of 800 criminals, including 82 convicted officials, whose sentences were commuted illegally, should be returned to prison, according to the prosecuting departments, china.cnr.cn reported on Monday.

Statistics from the top prosecuting department show that procuratorial organs throughout the country have discovered 508 cases of illegal commutations of sentence, conditional releases and temporary execution of sentence outside prison by the end of September after a nine-month intensified special crackdown was launched in March.

A total of 129 law enforcement officers involved in 116 cases were investigated on suspicion of dereliction of duty or abusing their powers to help prisoners obtain reduced sentences or conditional release in exchange for huge bribes.

Under the Criminal Law of China, if inmates behave well or are credited with "meritorious achievements" - including inventions and technological innovations - while in prison, their sentences can be commuted.

If they are diagnosed with illnesses such as heart disease and are unable to complete their sentences in prison, they can serve their terms outside to obtain medical treatment.

Shanghai prisons promote redemption from within	Prison inmate dances to freedom