Detainees released in Burundi as part of effort to reduce overcrowding in prisons

All prisoners charged with minor crimes ought to be released within two weeks to ease overcrowding in Burundi’s prisons. This was the ultimatum that was currently given by the country’s president.

477 prisoners had been released from the Muramvya reformatory. Of 13,211 prisoners, 5,442 will doubtless be freed, representing 41% of the reformatory population. For the president, its the likelihood for those freed to make contributions to the country.

Evariste Ndayishimiye, Burundi’s president, talked about, “this pardon is not imposed by the law, because you do not pardon an innocent. It is an opportunity given to our brothers and sisters to change, convert, and help develop Burundi.”

The poke was hailed by Gabriel Rufyiri, president of Burundi’s Observatory for the War Against Corruption and Economic Malfeasance.

He urged the president to also maintain in mind Burundians living in exile. “This is a good thing,” he said. ”However, there should also be political measures from the president to encourage Burundians to return.”

The country has eleven prisons, with a reformatory population far beyond their potential.