(2) Criminal detention: refers to the penalty method of short-term deprivation of prisoners' freedom, execution nearby and reeducation through labor. The term of criminal detention is 1 month to 6 months. When several crimes are combined, the maximum penalty shall not exceed 1 year.
(3) Fixed-term imprisonment: refers to the penalty method of depriving criminals of their personal freedom for a certain period of time and forcing them to work for education and reform. The term of fixed-term imprisonment is more than 6 months and less than 15 years. When several crimes are combined, the maximum penalty cannot exceed 20 years.
(4) Life imprisonment: refers to the penalty method of depriving criminals of their freedom of life, forcing them to take part in labor and accept education and reform. This is a severe punishment second only to the death penalty. Criminals sentenced to life imprisonment have no term limit, and criminals are deprived of their freedom of life.
(5) Death penalty: also known as life imprisonment, refers to the penalty method of depriving criminals of their lives. The death penalty is the most severe punishment method, which deprives criminals of their bodies rather than their freedom, so it is also called capital punishment. The time limit for suspension of execution of a death sentence shall be counted from the date when the judgment is determined. Sentences commuted with a suspension of execution of death penalty shall be counted from the date when the suspension of execution of death penalty expires.
Legal basis: The types of principal punishments stipulated in Article 33 of the Criminal Law are: (1) control; (2) criminal detention; (3) Fixed-term imprisonment; (4) life imprisonment; (5) the death penalty.