Inmates are transported to Preysar prison in Phnom Penh in 2021. Heng Chivoan
Over 900 prisoners have requested pardons and sentence reductions ahead of the upcoming Independence Day and Water Festival celebrations.
In a November 6 social media post, Ministry of Justice secretary of state Kim Santepheap said the ministry will convene a November 7 meeting of the National Commission to Review and Request Sentence Reductions and Pardons to examine the applications.
He explained that the commission has received 902 requests from the General Department of Prisons (GDP), who
are responsible for the Kingdom’s prisons, as well as the Ministry of Interior, who administer four correctional centres.
“For Independence Day, we have a list of 464 prisoners, including 34 women. Of that number, 432 – 29 of them women – have asked that we reduce their sentences, while 32 – including five female prisoners – have asked to be pardoned,” he said.
“For the Water Festival, we have received had a list of 438. Sentence reductions have been applied for by 418 prisoners, including 26 women. One woman and 19 men have asked to be granted amnesty,” he added.
GDP spokesman Nouth Savna said that mechanisms to grant partial or complete amnesty to prisoners were necessary to encourage them to reform, under the terms of a Royal Decree, and the principles of the ministries of justice and interior. The mechanisms were put in place to increase their motivation to prepare themselves to return to public life as valuable members of society.
He added that they may be awarded reduced sentences and pardons, based on their good behaviour, respect for principles and discipline while in prison.
“In the future, if we continue to implement our principles correctly, I think that we will see an increase in the number of prisoners who receive reduced sentences and pardons,” he continued.
He noted that a majority of the pardoned prisoners would be able to adapt to living in Cambodian society, although he warned that fewer than ten per cent of them may return to life of vice. Unfortunately, he explained, some prisoners led moral lives while in prison, but fell into bad company when they were released.
Am Sam Ath, deputy director of rights group LICADHO, said that mechanisms that allowed for sentence reductions and pardons were an excellent means of easing prison overcrowding, particularly as amnesty was offered only to prisoners who could show they were reformed.
“As long as the commission follows the law and the established terms in a transparent and equal manner, there will be no discrimination. Sentence reductions and pardons for prisoners must all be subject to the same terms,” he added.
