Abstract: The modernization of Chinese prison started from the prison reform, which arose under the joint action of theoretical factors, practical factors, direct factors, and fundamental factors. With building improvement as the primary problem, the reform activities promoted the construction of the radial prison layout after clarifying the goal of learning from Japan; the internal motivation and practical factor of this choice might be traced to the ideological foundation of circular prison and radial prison. The prison reform in late Qing Dynasty chose the radial layout, which was not the result of simply learning from foreign countries, but was due to the specific requirements for prison buildings brought by social changes. The requirements were reflected in the radial prison layout. This process showed the law that the prison layout should be in line with the practical needs of China.

Key words: prison reform, prison layout, radial prison, practical needs