(Minghui.org) The “Transformation Ward” was established in Wangling Prison in Hunan Province in October 2017 to use different forms of torture to try to force Falun Gong practitioners to renounce their faith in the peaceful mind-body discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999. Some guards proudly proclaimed, “We are very experienced in "transforming" Falun Gong practitioners.”
The 10th District Transformation Programs
The “Transformation Ward” is in the 10th district, which is a high-security prison zone, where forcible “transformation” programs are used to try to make Falun Gong practitioners renounce their faith.
On the second floor of the main building, each cell is about 12 square meters with four bunk beds for eight people. The 10th district management has a surveillance system in which every practitioner is monitored by three inmates 24 hours a day in one cell. Practitioners’ every move and word are monitored. The inmates seize any excuse to beat, verbally abuse, and physically torment practitioners. They also force them to “confess” to their crimes.
With the goal of forcing practitioners to abandon their belief, the “transformation” programs include brainwashing routines as well as physical torture. Practitioners are forced to watch and listen to propaganda programs, read articles that defame Falun Gong, and then write their thought reports. Slogans slandering Falun Gong are posted everywhere. Recently, practitioners have been forced to shout slogans abusing Falun Gong before every meal, otherwise, no one is allowed to eat. They often have to sing songs praising the Chinese Communist Party.
Practitioners have no personal freedom. They have to get permission for everything they do. If the inmates do not let them use the bathroom, they have to wet their pants. They are often deprived of sleep. Freedom of thought is not allowed, either. Practitioners are often ordered to report their thoughts, and if they still say that Falun Gong is good, they will be tortured non-stop.
To protest the persecution, some practitioners went on a hunger strike. The guards simply waited for a few days and then took the practitioners to a hospital for a toxic injection. Practitioner Mr. Tan Meilin went on a hunger strike for 23 days and had injections several times.
“Leg-splitting” Torture
“Leg-splitting” is one of the most brutal torture methods. The person's legs are pulled apart in a straight line. It is very painful, and ligaments are often torn, sometimes leading to permanent disability. The excruciating pain makes the practitioner scream in agony. The guards also call this method “killing a pig.” Practitioner Mr. Hu Wenkui, in his 30s, from Changdei City became incontinent after being tortured like this and eventually developed a mental disorder.
“Leg-splitting” has become a preferred tactic because it leaves no marks and instills fear in practitioners afterwards. The prison further refined the technique by adjusting it to the individual. Some people were in pain long before their legs were aligned. When others didn’t have much pain at first, the guards would force their legs into a straight line and then pull the legs upwards until they hurt. The guards would pause at a very painful point and then slowly increase the pressure.
Torture re-enactment: Leg-splitting
Intensifying Torture Before the Prison Term Expires
Practitioner Mr. Yang Jun, in his 40s, is from Changsha City and graduated from Hunan University. He was sent to the 10th Division on September 25, 2020. He was monitored and tortured by three young, tall, strong inmates. They made him stand (or squat) absolutely still for long periods of time, didn't allow him to go to the toilet, and beat him brutally. Two months before Mr. Yang's term was up, the guards intensified the torture.
Torture Illustration: Beatings
Mr. Cao Jinlong, in his 30s, from Hubei Province graduated from Shandong University. In 2017 he was forced to urinate in the hall. Then the guards pushed Mr. Cao to the door of each cell and humiliated him, saying “Falun Gong practitioner Cao Jinlong urinated in the hall.”
On August 8, 2019, Mr. Xu Yunyan was severely tortured because he shouted, “Falun Dafa is good!” He was locked in a one-square-meter wire cage and ordered to sit still on an inflated ball with his hands on his knees. If he didn't, he would be tortured with “leg-splitting.”
At mealtimes and at night, he was put into a four-square-meter room with a concrete table and a large urinal. He was only given half a bowl of rice and one cup of water every day. It was summer, but he was not allowed to change clothes, so they stank. The guards who passed by his cell had to hold their breath.
Perpetrators:
Li Gang (李刚), Wangling Prison guardLiu Shaoliang (刘少良), Wangling Prison guard
Related articles:
“Leg-splitting” Torture at Wangling Prison
Falun Gong Practitioners Tortured to Paralysis at Wangling Prison in Hunan Province
Falun Gong Practitioners Tortured at Wangling Prison in Hunan Province
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Category: Accounts of Persecution
