Three ways identified for early release

By JIMMY KALEBE
CORRECTIONAL Services Commissioner Stephen Pokanis says law and justice agencies have identified three ways to allow the early release of detainees.
They are through parole, release on licence and the power of mercy.
He called for more parole hearings, release of inmates on licence, and the exercising of the power of mercy.
“The Department of Justice and Attorney-General and other agencies in the law and justice sector are driving the interests of the detainees to the next level,” Pokanis said.
A meeting was held on Monday to consider applications for release on license by the committee tasked with it.
The committee hopes to see the exercising of the power of mercy too.
“Detainees in prisons around the country must understand that we are doing all that we can to help them,” he said.
Convicted inmates need to satisfy all requirements and conditions set under parole, release on licence and the power of mercy to be eligible for release.
He hopes that convicted inmates will see the genuine efforts being made to have them released early if all requirements are met.
They must convince the board and committee members that they are “truly rehabilitated, reformed and ready to go back into the community and become good citizens”.
He asked them to wait patiently while the committee members establish the pathways to allow genuine applicants to be considered for early release.