Prisoners being trained in sewing skills at a vocational course in Nam Ha Prison in Ha Nam Province to prepare to reintegrate into society after the amnesty.— VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Dan |
That day could come very soon, as Hoa is among the 160 prisoners at Nam Ha Prison being considered for amnesty on Independence Day next Thursday.
"I am really happy about that," he said.
After serving in the army during the country's resistance war against the US, he returned home and started his own company. In 1997 he was sentenced to life in jail for theft.
He is considered a model prisoner. He has worked hard in the kitchen, and held teaching classes for other prisoners. He has been head of the prisoners' self-management board for many years.
Hoa said if he was granted his freedom, he would go home to look after his parents.
"I repent of the crime I committed. I just want to have a chance to repay society. I have done so little for my parents," he said.
Nguyen Ngoc Phu, deputy director of the prison, said more prisoners would be released this year than on any other occasion.
In the days running up to Independence Day, prison officials have been busy organising training courses on life skills, re-integration into society, and the law, Phu said.
When the amnesties are announced, prisoners will be advised on the Party and State's tolerance policy so that those released will be able to become valuable members of the community.
Nam Ha Prison now has more than 2,500 male prisoners, most of whom have committed serious crimes, crimes involving national security or are multiple re-offenders.
"Many of them were pugnacious when they first came to the jail," Phu said. "But staff have tried hard to work closely with the inmates, talk to them and persuade them to be honest and kind-hearted people. It takes a long time, but for many it has worked out," he said.
The Central Advisory Committee has proposed granting amnesty to 17,000 prisoners on National Day.
Under the Law on Amnesty, prisoners to be released must have served at least one-third of their jail sentence and demonstrated a willingness to be rehabilitated into society. — VNS
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