The notorious Qincheng prison that houses fallen elites in Communist China is now so packed with inmates that it no longer has room to accommodate the annual family gatherings during Lunar New Year this year.

According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), The maximum security prison has disallowed visitors or 2 weeks before and after the first day of the festival, which falls on Friday (Feb 16).

Anti-corruption drive

Chinese President Xi Jinping's ferocious anti-corruption campaign has netted more than 1.3 million officials at various levels, from the elite "tigers" to the ordinary "flies".

SCMP quoted an unnamed source saying:

“The prison used to allow inmates over 60 to have a meal in jail with a limited number of their immediate family members ahead of the Lunar New Year. Some of them will have a hotpot, others bring dumplings, whatever they like.”

“But this year, the prison has cancelled the celebration with family – and not only that, they’ve also barred visitors for all inmates for the fortnight leading up to and following the new year.”

Household names

Over the years, many household names have been imprisoned in Qincheng, a luxurious prison set aside for officials with a ranking of vice-ministerial level or above.

They include:

• Jiang Qing

The widow of Chairman Mao Zedong was charged with subverting the government and counter-revolutionary activity.

• Bo Yibo

The powerful Communist Party elder and revolutionary Red Army commander, as well as the late father of Bo Xilai, was charged with corruption and condemned as a traitor.

• Zhou Yongkang

One of the nine most senior politicians in China till 2012 when he was convicted of a series of corruption charges, including abuse of power and leaking state secrets.

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No "Club Fed"

The prison is located in Beijing's Changping district, which is an hour's drive away from the Chinese capital's centre.

It has been shrouded in secrecy since it was built in 1958, with the help of the Soviet Union, to imprison war criminals from the Communist Party's arch-rival, the Kuomintang.

Besides its special status, it is also known to be well-furbished, with inmates getting to enjoy more freedom and facilities than those in other prisons, according to The Straits Times.

However, it's no "Club Fed" — a nickname for comfy federal prisons in the United States.

Prisoners at Qincheng are closely monitored and some claimed to have been mistreated.

They are also referred to by number, not name, and have limited possessions.

And while the many "tigers" toppled by Xi may be living just metres from each other, they might as well be worlds apart, as it is thought that inmates are still kept in solitary confinement, with guards making sure that they're not leaving messages for each other.

Not the only one of its kind

Qincheng was reportedly expanded again in 2012, months before Xi began his war on corruption when he took office.

There are 2 other prisons in China that boast similar standards — Jiansu province's Yancheng Prison and Guangdong province's Qingyuan Prison. 

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