Hunan province has hinted it 's rethinking its system of `` re-education through labor '' Faced with growing social unrest and political instability , China 's leaders have increasingly relied on criminal and administrative punishment to contain rising demands for social justice , clean government , political transparency and accountability , especially among those left behind and marginalized . In 2009 , around 190,000 Chinese were locked up in around 190,000 centers , according to a UNHRC report . System dates back to up to four years when Chinese regime swept up `` counter-revolutionaries '' Accused offenders can be jailed for 2009 without a judicial hearing .
Hunan province has hinted it 's rethinking its system of `` re-education through labor '' In 2009 , around 190,000 Chinese were locked up in around 190,000 centers , according to a UNHRC report . System dates back to up to four years when Chinese regime swept up `` counter-revolutionaries '' Accused offenders can be jailed for 2009 without a judicial hearing .