Malanje: At least 11 citizens serving sentences of three to six years at the Malanje District Penitentiary were released Tuesday as part of the Presidential Pardon coinciding with the 50th anniversary of National Independence. Additionally, 10 inmates from the same facility received conditional release under the pardon, aimed at promoting social reintegration and enhancing human rights within the prison system by offering a new opportunity to those released.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the presiding judge of the Malanje District Court, Rivaldino Van-dºnem, was present during the releases and viewed the presidential pardon as a legal action executed with clear and rigorous objective criteria, decided by the President of the Republic. The magistrate emphasized that the pardon is a privilege for those who demonstrated appropriate behavior, took responsibility, and served a significant portion of their sentence, excluding individuals convicted of the most serious crimes.
He highlighted that, beyond its legal implications, the pardon conveys a human message, acknowledging the potential for people to change. The initiative serves to correct, protect society, and establish conditions to prevent the recurrence of past mistakes. "Those who benefit from this act receive an opportunity, but also a duty to respect the law and society, proving with their actions that the trust placed in them was deserved. This moment represents a balance between firmness and humanity, justice and dignity," he explained.
The judge urged the released prisoners to conduct themselves with maturity, discipline, and good behavior toward society. Chinhama Samuel Jamba, director of the Penitentiary Service, noted that the beneficiaries had been imprisoned for crimes such as robbery, vandalism, and theft of public property.
The beneficiaries expressed in a message that the act renews the hope of those still serving their sentences, demonstrating that discipline and good behavior can lead to legal benefits. They pledged to make up for lost time and regain the trust of their families and society through positive actions.
The current prison population across the three facilities, Malanje District Prison, Damba Penitentiary, and Cacuso Women's Prison, stands at approximately 1,825 inmates, including both convicts and detainees.
