AN announcement on the release of several women who are incarcerated for non-violent offences is expected this week. This is according to President Granger. He told members of the media at the Pegasus Hotel Saturday evening that the process of identifying who will be pardoned “is not reckless.”
He said persons who have been involved in crimes of violence such as manslaughter will not be eligible.
“And we are looking at persons who might have been convicted for short periods for what we call non-legal offences,” he said. On this note, he singled out women who are mothers.
Already, 71 prisoners (male and female) have been granted presidential pardons under the APNU+AFC Government.
It was explained that those who have been, and will be pardoned, are offenders who had been sentenced for non-violent offences or minor misdemeanours that do not involve trafficking in persons or trafficking in narcotics.
Pardoned offenders are expected to participate in rehabilitative programmes that would help them to effectively reintegrate into society. It is the hope of the President and his administration that those who have been, and will be given a second chance, make a meaningful contribution to the development of Guyana.
In March , President Granger urged the Guyanese public not to be worried with his decision to pardon more prisoners for the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary, pointing out that he is acting in accordance with the law.