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

All prisoners charged with minor crimes needs to be released within two weeks to ease overcrowding in Burundi’s prisons. This was the ultimatum that was as of late given by the nation’s president.

477 prisoners were released from the Muramvya reformatory. Of 13,211 prisoners, 5,442 would perhaps be freed, representing 41% of the reformatory inhabitants. For the president, its the probability for those freed to contribute to the nation.

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

He urged the president to furthermore fill 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 nation has eleven prisons, with a jail inhabitants a ways beyond their means.