(VNF) - More than 4,000 offenders who repented their crimes while serving prison sentences are expected to be granted amnesty this year.

This was announced on November 27^th at a meeting of the Amnesty Consultancy Council, which approved the list of offenders proposed for the President’s amnesty decision.

More than 4,000 offenders who repented their crimes while serving prison sentences are expected to be granted amnesty this year. (Photo: tapchigiaothong.vn)

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Amnesty Consultancy Council, Truong Hoa Binh, said the amnesty policy reflected the nation’s humanitarian tradition.

Vietnam is strict toward repeat offenders and dangerous ones, but also tolerant and forgiving toward those repenting while serving their sentences, performing their duties to the best of their abilities and contributing to the efficiency of the national crime prevention programme, said Mr. Binh.

Deputy Prime Minister Binh asked relevant ministries to ensure that the amnesty decisions are implemented seriously, transparently and in accordance with State regulations. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that authorities at different levels should help amnesty recipients stabilise their lives and eliminate discrimination against them.

In addition to ensuring their basic rights, Vietnam’s laws also mandate assistance to help prisoners re-integrate into the community, he said.

The amended 1988 Ordinance provides that inmates can be made to work, learn a job, or study the law no more than 8 hours a day; the pay for inmates’ labor must, after deducting costs, be added to their food rations and welfare benefits; and reward funds must be distributed to inmates with outstanding work results or re-invested in work programs, education, and job training for inmates. Part of the reward fund must be used to help inmates re-integrate after they complete their prison terms.

If a felon exhibits good behavior during his incarceration, he may be freed ahead of his scheduled release date in accordance with the Law on Amnesty on the occasion of the Lunar New Year or Vietnamese National Day.

Since 2009, a total of 81,795 prisoners have received early release and 919 others given reprieves of their sentences. Although the number of people receiving amnesty is large, the nation’s political security and social public order is stable, officials say./.

( Compiled by VNF )