State President Truong Tan Sang said this during a visit to Phu Son prison in Thai Nguyen province on October 2.

Mr Sang praised the efforts of officials and policemen at Phu Son prison to manage and educate offenders, help them overcome their guilt and believe in Party and State’s policy of clemency. He also encouraged offenders to redeem themselves so they can quickly return to their families.

Mr Sang also sympathised with the difficulties facing prison officials and policemen and urged provincial leaders to pay more attention to improving the situation by building new infrastructure and providing incentives. He expressed his hope that they will successfully fulfill their assigned tasks.

Phu Son prison now houses more than 4,000 offenders. Recently, 279 prisoners were granted amnesty and thousands of offenders had their jail terms reduced to between three months and two years.