(Clearwisdom.net) In March 2007, all illegally detained Falun Gong practitioners held at the Qinkouduan Prison of Hanyang, Hubei were transferred to the Fanjiatai Prison in Shayang. As a result, the Fanjiatai prison became the only prison incarcerating male Falun Gong practitioners in Hubei Province. This is also recognized as a location where severe persecution activities are conducted.

In January 2011, former political commissioner Zhou Hong from Guanghua Prison of Shayang became the warden of Fanjiatia Prison. The persecution subsequently became more brutal. After Zhou Hong assumed this position, he initiated a series of measures which included extending work hours from eight to fourteen hours a day. The work quota continues to increase, and prisoners who can't finish their quotas are handcuffed and physically abused. Some inmates who work with tools have injured themselves because they couldn't endure the intense, strenuous labor. A few young inmates were driven insane from the pressure. It is a common occurrence for inmates to be prevented from taking rest – even when they are ill; they are forced to work the same hours. Some inmates couldn't even walk, and were carried to their workshops.

Falun Gong practitioners are located mostly in the Fourth Ward. Zhou Hong gives practitioners excessive workloads daily, then tries to forcefully “reform” them. Under the leadership of Zhou Hong, many prison guards became more malicious than before.

On February 25, 2011, practitioner Yao Xiaoan refused to admit that believing in Falun Dafa was illegal, and also refused to work in the prison. He was immediately handcuffed, shackled and put into solitary confinement under a “strict monitoring team.” While in solitary confinement, he was forced to stand facing a wall for over ten hours a day. The water he drank and washed with was from a urinal. Over one month later, Mr. Yao indicated that he was willing to work, and was released from solitary confinement. On April 18, practitioner Mr. Wang Deling was placed under the “strict monitoring team” for the same reason.

Torture re-enactment: Handcuffed and shackled

On March 3, Falun Gong practitioner Mr. Li Jinyang was struck in the face by assistant political director Wang Xiongjie, while he was explaining a situation to a prison guard. Mr. Li was then placed in solitary confinement for two weeks.

Sub-team warden Zu Jian often directed other inmates to beat Falun Gong practitioners. One time, he ordered Luo Dan, Zheng Xuehui and others beat practitioner Mr. Feng Feng. As the result, Feng’s chest was injured, leaving him bedridden for over ten days. Zu Jian refused Mr. Feng’s request for an X-ray and checkup. On another occasion, Zu ordered inmate Xie Chengyi to beat Mr. Feng Feng. When Zu Jian spoke with practitioners, he boasted arrogantly, “I persecute you, so what?”

On March 17, 2011, Warden Zhou Hong personally hosted a so-called “Transform and Criticize” meeting in the Fourth Ward for Falun Gong practitioners who'd upheld their belief in Falun Dafa. Practitioner Mao Yixiang refused to attend, and was then beaten by several inmates. Mr. Xuan Anping was dragged to the meeting room. Mr. Yu Guangde shouted “Falun Dafa is good,” he was then beaten and dragged away.

Practitioner Liu Deyu firmly resisted the persecution, so the guards beat him several times. On one occasion, the guards ordered inmate Wang Daojiang to beat and kick Mr. Liu for half an hour.

Torture re-enactment: Beating and kicking

In order to “transform” practitioners, the prison set up a brainwashing center. In early March, practitioner Liu Ning was detained there. The guards used violent inmate Wu Qianfeng to beat and verbally abuse Mr. Liu daily. A month later, Mr. Liu still refused to give up his belief in Falun Dafa, and was transferred back to his original cell. His legs were so swollen from beatings that he couldn't walk. Even so, the guards still forced him to stand for extended periods every day in order to force him to work.

Even under such brutality at Fanjiatai Prison, most practitioners who were arrested continued to maintain righteous thoughts and actions. They refused to follow the evil people’s orders and directions.

There are several collaborators responsible for “transforming” practitioners at Fanjiatai Prison. They include Li Zhangming, Jin Changhong, Zhang Jiuliang, Du Ziguo, and Mei Dazou. (Li Zhangming completed his sentence in 2009, and then returned to prison as an “assistant.”)

Immediately after completing their sentences, most practitioners are transferred to various brainwashing centers. Practitioners detained at brainwashing centers are not allowed to leave their cells, and there is no limit to their detention periods. They are monitored by security guards, police department officials, judicial officers and brainwashing center employees. Practitioners are tortured, both physically and mentally, with the goal of destroying their will. The Hubei Province Judicial Bureau, Wuhan Brainwashing Center (same as Wuchang District Brainwashing Center), and Jianghan District Brainwashing Center are recognized for their intense persecution activities.