Plenty of opportunity for well re-educated inmates

The State’s policy of leniency aims to re-educate inmates and help them realize their past sins and lead a new life for their own good.

As many as 10,000 inmates will get parole ahead of schedule on the occasion of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2). They will have the chance to rectify their wrongdoings and gain a better understanding of the State’s policy of leniency

The detention centre in northern Ha Nam province has proposed granting a special amnesty to 32 inmates out of 133 serving imprisonment. They are those who were sentenced to less than five years’ imprisonment but have served one third of their prison terms through re-education and labour.

Le Duc Thanh, a 23-year-old prisoner said he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on the charge of robbery but thanks to the encouragement and assistance of the detention centre’s staff he has strictly observed all regulations to enjoy leniency soon.

The inmates on parole have thoroughly understood the significance of a free but law-abiding life as well as a special amnesty this time.

Over the past month, prisoners at Thanh Phong prison in northern Thanh Hoa province have been kept fully informed of the State President’s decision 2011 to release prisoners ahead of time.

At every detention centre, voting by ballots has been carried out to choose the right inmates for the special amnesty.

Nguyen Thi Quyen, a 20-year-old inmate who was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on the charge of human trafficking said her wrongdoing had stemmed from her lifestyle of debauchery regardless of everyone’s advice.

“I was very depressed on the first day of arrival here as I thought about my gloomy life ahead. But with the sympathy of the centre staff and encouragement of other inmates, I was resolved to re-educate myself and labour well.” Quyen said.

Another inmate, Le Thi Lan from northern Thanh Hoa province who was detained on the charge of misappropriating public property said in tears, “The news about 180 inmates to be released from Thanh Phong prison on the occasion of National Day has made me feel very sad as I am not among them. But I think I need to make more progress.”

Before the State President’s decision was announced, Thanh Phong prison had run crash courses on law abiding, drug prevention and control and skills for reintegration into the community.

Senior- lieutenant colonel Do Thanh Son from Thanh Phong prison said while waiting for the State President’s special amnesty decision, we encouraged all inmates not to violate regulations and take care of those who would be on parole.

No doubt, punishment is necessary but encouragement, sympathy and assistance from family and community coupled with State leniency will give fresh impetus to those who really want to get back on the straight and narrow.