The humanitarian policy of Vietnam’s Party and State toward prisoners has been reflected not only in granting annual amnesties but also in creating good conditions for them to reintegrate into the community, according to Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The deputy premier made the statement in an article he wrote about this year’s amnesty that is about to be given on the occasion of National Day (September 2) under a decision signed July 10 by State President Truong Tan Sang.  

The article was published by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday.

In his article, Deputy PM Phuc said every amnesty is a good opportunity for inmates to look back on the mistakes they have made, assess what they have done during the time of serving their jail terms, show a willingness to get rid of past sins, and strive to become people useful to society.

According to a preliminary report of the Ministry of Public Security, this year will see more than 18,000 prisoners eligible for a pardon, the official said, adding that the Central Advisory Council on Amnesty will submit the records of the suggested amnesty beneficiaries to the state president for him to decide, Deputy PM Phuc said. 

In order to help pardoned prisoners reintegrate into the community, prevent them from relapsing into previous crimes, and encourage them to become people useful to society, all Party units, local authorities, fatherland front committees, social organizations and businesses should contribute efforts to support the amnestied in achieving the above goals, the official said.

The reality shows that the overwhelming majority of the pardoned people are willing to turn over a new leaf, heading toward the good, re-integrating into the community, and leading a stable life, the deputy premier said.

Many of the pardoned prisoners have become successful people who are actively contributing to charity work and have won recognition and praise from the entire society, the official added.

He called on local communities, especially families, to give support, offer job training, and create employment for pardoned inmates to assist them in reintegrating into normal life soon, Deputy PM Phuc said.

All this would help them get over social stigma and bar them from breaking the law or committing any offense again, he added.

For those who are in particularly difficult circumstances, all local authorities and competent agencies should offer loans for them to do business and overcome the hardships in order to stabilize their life, according to the deputy premier.

It is necessary to ensure that all the inmates eligible for amnesty will be released and that they will reintegrate into the community and become good citizens, he added.

On July 15, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung issued an official message requiring the chairs of the people's committees of centrally-run provinces and cities to direct local governments and all bodies concerned to effectively implement Governmental Decree 80 dated September 16, 2011 on measures to ensure community reintegration for amnestied prisoners and people who have finished serving their sentences.

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