On October 1, Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet, a member of the Central Advisory Council on Amnesty, attended the ceremony to announce the Presidential Decision on Amnesty 2024 at Thanh Cam Prison in Cam Thuy District, Thanh Hoa Province.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Department of Prison Management of the Ministry of Public Security, the People’s Court, the People’s Procuracy, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police, the prison management board, pardoned prisoners, and their families.

In his speech, Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet congratulated the prisoners at Thanh Cam Prison who were granted amnesty. He noted that in 2024, on the occasion of the 79th National Day and the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Hanoi, General Secretary and President To Lam signed the decision on Amnesty 2024 on July 30.

Following rigorous and thorough deliberation by the Advisory Council and related agencies, the General Secretary and President on September 29 approved amnesty for 3,763 prisoners serving sentences and two individuals whose sentences had been temporarily suspended.

At Thanh Cam Prison, 38 cases were granted amnesty. Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet commended the efforts of the Ministry of Public Security, particularly the C10 Department and Thanh Cam Prison, for diligently and promptly implementing amnesty procedures and ensuring prisoners’ rights.

Addressing the pardoned individuals before their return to society and reunion with their families, Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet reminded them that amnesty is merely the first step on the path toward virtue, a path fraught with challenges, temptations, and pitfalls.

He emphasized the need for pardoned prisoners to value this rare opportunity, decisively abandon their criminal past, and strive to become useful citizens, deserving of the Party and State's leniency policies.

The Deputy Minister encouraged prisoners who had not been pardoned to remain steadfast, work harder, strictly comply with laws and prison regulations, and actively engage in education and labor reform to soon qualify for leniency measures such as reduced sentences or future amnesties.

Colonel Dam Minh Phong, Warden of Thanh Cam Prison, noted that the 38 pardoned individuals had made significant efforts in education and labor reform during their sentences.

Under the guidance of the Ministry of Public Security, the prison management board implemented measures to support pardoned prisoners in reintegrating into the community and building new lives. These measures included assistance with obtaining ID cards, covering travel expenses, and providing 4G SIM cards.

At the ceremony, representatives of the pardoned prisoners expressed joy and trust in the leniency policy. They pledged to comply with legal regulations, overcome challenges, and strive to become useful members of their families and society.

Amnesty 2024 marks the third round of pardons under the 2018 Amnesty Law. Historically, the Vietnamese State has conducted nearly 40 amnesty rounds, granting early release to tens of thousands of prisoners who rejoined their families and communities. Most pardoned individuals have successfully reintegrated into society, stabilized their lives, and displayed very low recidivism rates.

Tran Thuong