According to a report released on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by the non-governmental organization Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), prisoners in China continue to allege that they experienced violence and mistreatment during their time in custody, even though such practices are legally prohibited. The report highlights that these abuses have been documented over a period of nearly a decade, from 2016 to 2025, and include a range of severe methods, such as beatings, the denial of medical care and sleep, and the use of electric shocks. CHRD, an organization that monitors and documents human rights conditions in China, collected testimonies from individuals who had been detained in various regions of the country. These accounts were provided by former prisoners, their families, or legal representatives. The organization emphasizes that despite China's legal framework which outlaws torture, the practice remains widespread and systemic in many detention facilities. The report also notes that the mistreatment is not limited to physical abuse. Psychological pressure, threats, and coercive interrogation techniques are also commonly reported. These methods are often used to extract confessions or to punish detainees for their alleged crimes. In some cases, prisoners described being held in solitary confinement for extended periods, which further exacerbated their mental and physical health. The findings from CHRD have drawn attention from international human rights groups and some foreign governments, who have called for greater transparency and accountability in China's judicial system. However, the Chinese government has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that its legal system is fair and that any claims of abuse are exaggerated or fabricated. The situation remains a subject of ongoing debate and concern among international observers.