Fondation Hirondelle

About one hundred and fifty three prisoners in Sierra Leone receives presidential pardon and were released on the first of January 2012.The Public Relations Officer of the Sierra Leone Prisons

Mohamed Opito Jimmy, while responding to questions regarding the processes and criteria used in granting Presidential Pardon, said the list of recommended Prisoners who received Presidential pardon went through a transparent scrutiny process before the names were forwarded to President Ernest Bai Koroma. Mr. Jimmy said the prisoners were recommended for pardon based on behavior, age, and health. He said prisoners who have spent one third of their jail terms were also qualified for the pardon. He however said that hardcore criminals with grave offences such as robbery with aggravation, murder among others are not qualified for the presidential pardon. Mr. Jimmy said the rationale for the presidential pardoning is to encourage good behavior among prisoners and to reduce overcrowding in the respective prisons. Mr. Jimmy said only ninety six prisoners benefited from the presidential pardon last year.