Kinbidhoo constituency MP, Abdulla Riyaz has said that he believes that the purpose of the amendment to the Bill on Amendment to Pardon & Clemency Act (Act No. 2/2010) is to give opportunities to the inmates to be responsible individuals of the society away from crime.
However he said that parole should not be solely based on the number of years served by the inmates.
Riyaz said that he believes that criminals are sent to jail for violating a law and perpetrating a crime. He said that if such criminals are to be released back into the society then it should be ensured that they have corrected their behavior.
Riyaz noted that parole system has been practiced in Maldives for some time and it now needs to be strengthened.
“It is important to make parole officers who will work under the parole system. Where is that system? How will the procedure be? What will be the results achieved?,” he said.
He said that if reoffending is increasing in the society then that means the parole system needs to be reviewed and strengthened.
Parole should be based on good behavior not on the number of years served- Riyaz
