A Second Chance: Amnesty Reflects Vietnam’s Tradition of Compassion

	Amnesty Represents a Lenient and Humanitarian Vietnamese Policy
	Prisoners Express Gratitude for Government Amnesty

Da Lat brightened under the sunlight after many days of persistent rain. Groups of inmates were allowed by detention officers to work outdoors. Today, they were assigned to trim the grass, clear bushes, and clean up the compound within their sub-camp.

Each inmate carries a burden of guilt - a past marked by mistakes. For their families and relatives, the wrongdoings they once committed may already have been forgiven. Yet, the price they must pay is a sentence commensurate with their crimes and actions. Once they complete their prison terms, they will return to society and reintegrate into the community. Their offenses and the harm they caused to society will eventually pass. Nevertheless, for the inmates themselves, remorse and regret linger, haunting them for a lifetime.

Inmate Nguyen Cong Hung shared that once serving a prison sentence, every inmate realizes how meaningless life becomes when separated from society. Their feelings of remorse grow stronger each time their families, wives, and children come to visit and encourage them. The tenderness of loved ones, the innocent questions from young children just learning to speak as they visit their fathers or mothers behind bars - these moments pierce their hearts and bring them to tears.

Family, marriage, and children are an endless source of motivation for inmates to stay focused on self-improvement and strictly follow the rules of the detention center, under the care, encouragement, and guidance of the officers and soldiers at the Detention Center of Lam Dong Provincial Police.

Inmates Cil Mup So Ty and Nguyen Cong Hung engaged in rehabilitative labor at the Lam Dong Provincial Police Detention Center.

With a strong determination to make amends for past mistakes, to earn forgiveness from his family, and to benefit from the lenient and humanitarian policies of the Party and the State, inmate Cil Mup So Ty has devoted himself to rehabilitation throughout his sentence. After more than five months of serving his term at the Lam Dong Provincial Police Detention Center, So Ty spent much time reflecting on his actions. He expressed deep remorse for what he had done - the harm caused to society and the pain brought upon his family.

“During my time serving the sentence, I have received care and guidance from the police officers, who clearly explained the wrongfulness of my actions, helping me stay focused on self-improvement and rehabilitation,” inmate So Ty shared.

So Ty recounted with regret that on the night of December 31, 2023, while returning home after drinking with a close friend, they encountered a group of young men riding motorbikes abreast, blocking the road ahead. An argument broke out between the two sides. Under the influence of alcohol and provoked by the other group, So Ty and his friend lost their temper. Harsh words escalated into a physical altercation, during which So Ty’s friend was fatally stabbed by one of the young men with a sharp object.

The individuals responsible for the victim’s death were subsequently prosecuted and detained by the Lam Dong Provincial Police Investigation Agency on charges of murder. So Ty was also prosecuted and detained on charges of disturbing public order. Known as a gentle and honest man, So Ty’s violation stemmed from a moment of recklessness and his inability to control his behavior while intoxicated, leading him to break the criminal law.

When the handcuffs were placed on him, So Ty realized his grave mistake, but it was too late. The court sentenced him to 12 months of imprisonment for his offense.

Thanks to his notable progress, positive attitude, and classification as “fairly good” in serving his sentence according to the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments, inmate Cil Mup So Ty was recommended by the competent authorities for special amnesty consideration by the State President under the Party and State’s lenient and humanitarian policy. Under this amnesty, he was released 5 months and 27 days ahead of schedule.

Amnesty is a humanitarian and lenient policy of the Party and the State toward offenders, reflecting the fine tradition of compassion and tolerance of the Vietnamese nation. It also embodies the strictness and fairness of the law, firmly punishing ringleaders, those who stubbornly resist rehabilitation, or commit dangerous recidivism, while showing clemency and forgiveness to those who sincerely repent, make amends, and strive to correct their mistakes. The law always creates favorable conditions for such individuals to reform, return to an honest life, and become useful members of society.

Also recommended by the competent authorities for special amnesty consideration by the State President in 2024 at the Lam Dong Provincial Police Detention Center is inmate Nguyen Cong Hung.

During a brief break from work, Hung spoke with us, expressing deep remorse for his past wrongdoing.

“Throughout my time serving the sentence at the Lam Dong Provincial Police Detention Center, I have realized the priceless value of freedom. Every time my wife and children visit, I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt toward them. That has been my greatest motivation to stay determined in rehabilitation, to strictly follow the prison’s regulations and the law,” inmate Nguyen Cong Hung shared.

Nguyen Cong Hung was prosecuted and detained by the Da Lat City Police Investigation Agency on charges of intentionally causing injury. In September 2022, he began serving a 36-month prison sentence under the ruling of the Da Lat City People’s Court at the Lam Dong Provincial Police Detention Center.

Not only has Hung shown strong determination to reform and earn the Party and State’s clemency and humanitarian consideration, but during his sentence, he has also actively supported and encouraged other inmates to follow prison regulations and the law, helping one another to improve and progress together.

For these efforts, in 2024, the competent authorities recommended to the State President that Nguyen Cong Hung be granted special amnesty and released 1 month and 8 days ahead of schedule.

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