24/12/2024
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA PARDON 759 INMATES
President Hakainde Hichilema has pardoned a total of 759 inmates from various Correctional Facilities across the country as part of Christmas Day celebrations.
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu announced the development in a Statement in Monze today
Among the pardoned inmates, 711 are males and 47 are females.
Currently, the inmate population stands at 28, 451 countrywide. The total female population stands at 863", he said
Mr Mwiimbu said the inmates who have benefited from the Presidential pardon include 712 ordinary, four convicted females with circumstancial children, twelve old aged, fourteen foreign nationals and seventeen commutations.
"The seventeen commutations include two death to life, seven life commuted to terminable sentences of 40 years, six long term commuted to 25 years, one long term commuted to 30 years and one lifer commuted to terminable sentence of 25 years," he said.
The Minister said the Zambia Correctional Service plays an important role in the rehabilitation and reformation of inmates.
He said Government is committed to strengthening the capacity of the Correctional Services through improved training, resources and programs designed to facilitate successful reintegration into society.
"It is important that pardoned inmates and members of the public at large support former inmates by not discriminating against them," the Minister said.