"This is the largest amnesty ever."

This year's amnesty and early release program for those sentenced to fixed-term or life imprisonment, coinciding with National Day on September 2nd, will be the largest ever, benefiting approximately 16,000 to 17,000 prisoners currently serving sentences.

This was affirmed by Major General Nguyen Ngoc Bang, Director General of the General Department of Criminal Enforcement and Judicial Support (General Department VIII), Ministry of Public Security.

PV: The President has just signed the decision on amnesty for 2015. Could you tell us about the new aspects of this year's amnesty process?

Major General Nguyen Ngoc Bang:To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the nation's founding, the Ministry of Public Security had already proposed to the President that amnesty be granted to prisoners who met the criteria and who, upon release, would not harm the order and security of the country.

In this amnesty program, the criteria have also been relaxed, so the number of prisoners expected to be pardoned could be the largest ever, at around 16,000-17,000.

This amnesty includes foreigners because, according to our law, both Vietnamese and foreigners must abide by the law. Therefore, foreigners who meet the criteria are also eligible for amnesty like Vietnamese citizens.

Major General Nguyen Ngoc Bang - Director General of General Department VIII, Ministry of Public Security.

PV: To implement the President's decision, what work has the Ministry of Public Security undertaken, sir?

Major General Nguyen Ngoc Bang:To prepare for the amnesty process, we started very early, carefully reviewing all the criteria and specific regulations. At the same time, we organized training courses and prepared all the necessary conditions for the officials involved in the amnesty process to fully understand these requirements.

Once the President makes a decision, we act very quickly and ensure that all requirements are met accurately and absolutely. The goal is to ensure that only those who meet the criteria are granted amnesty, and we are determined not to let ineligible individuals receive it.

According to the plan, we will review each individual, compile a list to submit to the amnesty advisory council for verification and consideration, and then send it to the President for a decision. We expect to complete this process by the end of August, and the prisoners will be granted amnesty before September 2nd.

PV: How has the Ministry of Public Security facilitated the early reintegration of pardoned prisoners into the community, sir?

Major General Nguyen Ngoc Bang:We have contacted local authorities, and the Chairman of the Clemency Advisory Council has also instructed that local authorities receive those granted clemency upon their return to their localities, creating the most favorable conditions for the prisoners to reintegrate into the community as soon as possible, so that they do not feel ashamed.

At the same time, create jobs for these individuals to prevent them from re-offending.

PV: Thank you, sir.

According to VOV