The Ministry of Public Security has announced that approximately 30,000 prisoners will be considered for amnesty between now and National Day (September 2).

A prisoner on the day of reunion.

The Ministry of Public Security has announced that approximately 30,000 prisoners will be considered for amnesty between now and National Day (September 2).

National Assembly passes amnesty bill

This will be the largest general pardon of prisoners to date, six times more than this year.

There are some new amnesty criteria this year. For example, a prisoner maybe considered if their family is in financial difficulty or if they have served one-quarter of their sentence or 12 years of a life sentence, and if have been awarded the title of ‘people’s artist’, ‘people’s doctor’ and ‘people’s teacher’.

Individuals convicted of group robbery, armed robbery, or drug-related offences and who have more than one year remaining on their sentence are not eligible for parole.

Those on parole will return to their families before September 2.

Source: VOV