Cuba announces massive prisoner release
- 9 years ago
Cuba announced Friday that it would free 3,522 people from its jails - the largest prisoner release since the 1959 revolution - as a gesture of goodwill to Pope Francis who arrives on the island next week for a four-day visit.
The announcement, which appeared in state media Friday morning, said that aside from a few humanitarian cases, the release would not include prisoners convicted of violent crimes such as murder, rape, sexual abuse of children, as well as those jailed for drug trafficking, illegal slaughter of cattle or crimes against the security of the state.
The decision by Cuba's Council of State is expected to go into effect within the next 72 hours.
But when selecting the prisoners for pardon, Granma, the Communist Party newspaper, said consideration was given to those more than 60 years of age, younger than 20 years if they had no prior convictions, women, the chronically ill, and those nearing the end of their terms or on work release programs.
The announcement, which appeared in state media Friday morning, said that aside from a few humanitarian cases, the release would not include prisoners convicted of violent crimes such as murder, rape, sexual abuse of children, as well as those jailed for drug trafficking, illegal slaughter of cattle or crimes against the security of the state.
The decision by Cuba's Council of State is expected to go into effect within the next 72 hours.
But when selecting the prisoners for pardon, Granma, the Communist Party newspaper, said consideration was given to those more than 60 years of age, younger than 20 years if they had no prior convictions, women, the chronically ill, and those nearing the end of their terms or on work release programs.