China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) and Ministry of Justice have issued a guidance to make it easier for the poor to apply for state compensation for wrongful detention, the SPC said Sunday.

The guidance stipulates that courts should notify people in writing of their rights to apply for state compensation. Legal aid institutions should expand channels for people to apply for the compensation and help them seek legal aid.

People who have been wrongfully arrested and have been verified to have no income may apply for state compensation, said the guidance.

The guidance stressed that legal aid for state compensation should be strengthened. Courts should make it easier for people to access legal aid, and courts and judicial administrative organs should strengthen coordination.

It also called for improving the quality and effectiveness of legal aid services for state compensation applicants, adding that related systems should be innovated to strengthen legal aid, provide social worker assistance, and strengthen humanistic care for applicants.