In China, an astonishing and sensational case occurred: a woman, in order to avoid prison, gave birth to three children within just four years, Chia Morning Post reported.
The woman, known by the pseudonym Chen Hong, in December 2020 was accused of fraud and sentenced to five years of imprisonment. However, she found an unusual and interesting way to escape incarceration. Instead of sitting behind bars, Chen studied the country’s legislation and managed to remain free legally.
According to Chinese laws, individuals with serious illnesses, pregnant women, those with newborns, or prisoners who cannot take care of themselves are allowed to serve their sentences temporarily outside of prison. In such cases, the convicts usually stay at home or under public supervision and regularly report to law enforcement authorities. Additionally, women serving sentences at home are required to submit information about their pregnancy or illness every three months.
Interestingly, in May 2024, Chen gave birth to her third child, but the woman did not live with the baby and had already divorced, while her two older children remained with their father. This fact was considered by local prosecution authorities as using pregnancy as a means to escape imprisonment.
Initially, the issue of returning the woman to prison was considered. However, since less than one year remained until the end of her sentence, Chen was placed in a temporary detention center.
Curiously, in Japan, the situation is completely opposite. Elderly women seek to enter prison to escape poverty and loneliness. In the female colony, they feed pensioners, take care of them, they receive social support, and can live in a safe environment.
This case shows how laws and social norms can have an interesting and unexpected impact on women’s lives. At the same time, it demonstrates how people’s desire for rescue and support can interact in a complex way with social and legal systems.
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