He was sentenced to life in prison for the crime of swindling. Currently, he gives English and computer lessons to other prisoners. At the same time, he has written three movie scripts, and is writing a novel about Tibet. Pan refuses to accept his penalty and he is lodging a judicial complaint. He said that his appeal was not blocked.
Some prison guards help prisoners write appeal documents.
Katil Sibal, a United Nations' official on detaining issue, who visited the prison four years ago, said that criminals here have received humanitarian treatment. While visitors panted due to the lack of oxygen in the prison at 3,672 meters above sea level, prisoners in blue uniforms were playing basketball, shouting and laughing.