Sichuan plans to parole 1,300 prisoners
- Source: Global Times
- [03:32 September 25 2009]
- Comments
By Guo Qiang
At least 1,300 prisoners in Sichuan Province could be paroled or obtain reduced sentences before the National Day holiday, the Chengdu Business Daily reported.
It is the first time that prisons in Sichuan are providing early release ahead of National Day celebrations, Sun Zhen, director of the Criminal Law Office, Sichuan Prison Administration, told the Global Times on Thursday.
"Most of those waiting to be released are seniors, physically challenged, short-term prisoners or first offenders,"Sun said. He added that some are from earthquake-devastated families who have to provide for their family members.
Prisoners to be paroled or released must have served at least half of their sentences, displayed good behavior, and promised not to be a burden on society after being released, he said.
On Wednesday, the Chengdu Intermediate People's Court started parole hearings for five prisoners serving sentences in the Chengdu-based Jinjiang Prison, and decisions will be announced before the National Day, according to the report.
Yang Ling, 57-year-old, was among the paroled prisoners.
Yang has shown good behavior since he started serving his 13-year sentence and has received sentence reductions in the past, the report said.
"Yang earnestly received re-education by working hard in the prison and helped prison guards encourage fellow prisoners to learn,"the paper quoted You Zhushi, deputy director of the Sichuan Prison Administration, as saying.
Criminal gang members and recidivists are not on the early release list, Sun said.
The plan was initiated in July, and some prisoners who met the requirements for early release were sent home in September, he said.
The local court and procuratorate are stepping up their efforts to make sure the prisoners could be released before the National Day and spend the holiday with their families.
This is not the first time that prisoners in Sichuan receive parole.
Starting in September 2008, prisons in the province have worked to release thousands of seniors, sick and physically challenged inmates. Reports said more than 1,000 have been paroled.
The policy has triggered nationwide controversy.
"Imprisoning those inmates will add operation cost to the prisons, and releasing them in the name of parole will also bring about a huge burden to their families and the society,"Hou Lei, a media freelancer, said.
However, Sun refuted the public criticism, saying releasing prisoners was in line with the policy of "being both tolerant and strict with prisoners"that was drawn up by the central government to promote social stability.
An Baijie contributed to this story
