A sense of the ordinary from behind bars (4)

"It's hard for us to mediate," she said. "What we can do is provide inmates legal guidance on property distribution and child custody for female inmates, to help protect their rights."

For Liu Yan, a lifer who embezzled 71 million yuan of public funds in 1999, the biggest heartache is the thought she will probably never have children.

"When I was sentenced, I was 30. Now I'm 44. Maybe it's too late for me now," she said. "I've tried to reduce my sentence through good behavior, but I fear such a long sentence has destroyed my dream to be a mother."

China has no policy on whether female prisoners should be provided a chance to have a child, and both inmates and correction officers said authorities need to look at the problem, and soon.

"I still want to have a child when I'm released," said Liu, who will be released on parole in September after punishement mitigation. "After all, I'm a woman."

All inmates except He Miao spoke on condition of using an alias.

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