Going to jail comes with a receipt…!

(Baonghean) - Do you know about the requirement for receipts for people going to prison?

- When you're in prison, who are you doing business with that requires a receipt?

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- Well, that's true. It's the story of Mr. Huynh Van Nen, who was wrongly convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison. After being exonerated, Mr. Huynh Van Nen filed a claim with the court demanding 18 billion VND in compensation. The court accepted the claim but requested that Mr. Nen provide invoices, receipts, and other documents related to the damages he was liable for.

Good heavens, while sitting in prison, who would I be dealing with that would require invoices and receipts? That's a real challenge.

The court explained that it was in accordance with the law.

- It's true that the law has provisions for compensation for wrongful convictions. For example, those wrongfully imprisoned are compensated as follows: one day of wrongful imprisonment is equivalent to three days' minimum wage. Or compensation for property damage and health damage must be assessed by a competent authority, so documentation is required. But what about all the other tangible and intangible damages that wrongfully imprisoned people suffer so painfully? How can there be invoices or receipts for those?

- What kind of damage were you referring to? Please tell me.

- Specifically, in the case of Mr. Huynh Van Nen, for 18 years his family had to sell all their possessions and property to appeal for his innocence, his children had to endure humiliation and couldn't even lift their heads, he himself was tormented by 18 years of wrongful imprisonment, and his wife was separated from him for 18 long years... How could any receipt or document record these horrific consequences?

- What he said makes sense, but the court keeps demanding invoices and receipts before awarding compensation, so what can we do?

According to lawyers, compensation for wrongful convictions is primarily a matter of agreement between the court and the wrongfully imprisoned person. If the judges are compassionate, they will seek an agreement that is most beneficial to the people. But if the judges are not considerate of the people, they will simply demand receipts and documentation.

- This incident shows just how difficult and arduous the administrative reform process still is. No wonder former National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung once said that our administrative procedures are very harsh on the people.

- Administrative procedures are also created by people. The key is for people to live together with compassion.

Tran Hong Co