March 9, 2016 Source
HEAD OF STATE, David Granger is urging the Guyanese public not to be worried with his decision to pardon more prisoners for the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary, pointing out that he is acting in accordance with the law. The President was at the time responding to questions from the media yesterday about the unease being felt by some sections of society, following the recent riot at the Camp Street prison, which claimed the lives of 17 inmates who were on remand.
President Granger made it clear that the process of pardoning the prisoners is governed by certain criteria. “I have behaved always in accordance with the constitution and on the advice by the Minister of Legal Affairs and as far as I am concerned, as long as I continue to behave in a legal manner, in a constitutional manner, the people of this country have nothing to fear,” the President said.
He also made it known that he plans to pardon female prisoners in December this year. “…and at Christmas time, I will release women who have been incarcerated for non-violent offences because I really do believe that a mother’s place is with her children at Christmas time.”
The President added, “I don’t think the public should be worried. I get advice based on the nature of the offence committed and the criteria which I laid down.”
Already, 71 prisoners (male and female) have been granted presidential pardon under the APNU+AFC Government. It was explained that those who have been, and will be pardoned are offenders who would have been sentenced for non-violent offences or minor misdemeanours that do not involve trafficking in persons or trafficking in narcotics.
Pardoned offenders are expected to participate in rehabilitative programmes that would help them to effectively reintegrate into society. It is the hope of the President and his Administration that those who have been, and will be given a second chance, make a meaningful contribution to the development of Guyana.