Among the released, 794 are women and 13 committed crime against national security.

The figures were released at a press briefing in Hanoi on August 31 by the Presidential Office to announce the State President’s decision to grant the second round of paroles this year.

The decision shows the lenient and humanitarian policy of the Party and State to the inmates, encouraging them in their rehabilitation, said Giang Son, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Office.

It also acknowledges the inmates’ efforts to follow prison rules while serving their sentences, he said.  

Mr Son affirmed that “there are no maltreatment and restrictions to any prisoners” no matter their nationality, provided they meet the set criteria.  

“Parole motivates other prisoners to work hard so that they can soon reunite with their families and reintegrate into their communities quicker,” he said.

The Central Special Amnesty Advisory Council and the Ministry of Public Security have jointly carried out the parole in an open, democratic and lawful manner. All prisons carefully examined dossiers and informed the inmates of the criteria for parole so that they were able to discuss and nominate eligible candidates.

Senior Lieutenant General Le The Tiem, Deputy Minister of Public Security, asked social organisations, local administrations and families to create favourable conditions for the released to reintegrate into their communities.

To date nearly 100,000 prisoners have been freed, only 4 percent of whom have re-offended. 

The prisons under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defence are carrying out the President’s decision on August 31 and September 1.