As many as 15,140 prisoners were released during the past lunar New Year Festival (The Year of the Buffalo) thanks to a decision by the State President. On the 64^th anniversary of national independence, the State President granted a second round of paroles this year, with more than 5,400 prisoners being released.

The released are those who have shown good behaviour during their prison terms, have fatal disease or are 70 years old or above.

Parole and a reduction in prison terms are regularly carried out by the Party and State, to encourage prisoners to behave well and reintegrate into the community as soon as possible. This incentive policy has demonstrated the Party and State’s tolerance and humanity, and gives prisoners an opportunity to rectify their mistakes and become good citizens. Since the beginning of 2009, the State President has granted amnesty twice, releasing nearly 20,000 prisoners, trebling last year’s figure.

Vietnam is a legally governed state, which obeys the law and ensures law enforcement in a humanitarian manner. The Vietnamese Party and State always provide those who commit crimes with the proper conditions to rehabilitate and improve their behavior. Vietnam also upholds its moral philosophy that offers those who commit crimes a chance to mend their ways.

Beneficiaries of the Party and State’s lenient and humanitarian policy this year were those who had served their prison terms responsibly and were paroled to enjoy their freedom and reintegrate into the community.

Many prisoners are released every year. This proves that many inmates behave well in prison and that conditions in prison have improved remarkably. Furthermore, there is the feeling that prisoners should be treated in a humanitarian and lenient manner. It is essential to acknowledge their efforts to observe prison rules and serve their sentences. This creates a good environment for prisoners to gain more confidence and reunite with their families to become active members of their community.

A peaceful society should always encourage people to earn an honest living and look forward to achieving positive results. In a peaceful society, people will achieve good things, reject evils and respect the tolerance and the spirit of forgiveness. The recent decision made by the State President on paroles to mark the 64^th anniversary of the Vietnam’s National Day has underlined the Party and State’s lenient and humanitarian policy.