Two hundred

Ministry of Home Affairs has said that about two hundred criminals released under the ‘Second Chance’ program, but identified as dangerous, have been returned to prison.

Speaking to reporters today Minister of Home Affairs Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said that most criminals released under the ‘Second Chance’ program did not meet the criteria for release.

He said that DPRS has been notified to search and return the rest of the criminals released under the ‘Second Chance’ program who are a threat to society, to prison.

Referring to the murder of lawyer Ahmed Najeeb, Jameel said that this incident prompts us to reconsider and revise the penalties for committing murder. He said that it is normal practice in all parts of the world to revise penalties with changing trends in criminal activity.

Jameel pointed out that the current practice of 25 years imprisonment following sentences for life imprisonment needs to be changed, such that people sentenced to life imprisonment remain in prison for the rest of their lives.

“Life imprisonment in the Penal Code is now understood as 25 years imprisonment. I think a revision should be proposed to the Penal Code, such that life imprisonment means that the person spends the rest of his life in prison, with no parole eligibility,” he said.

He added that the death penalty is carried out in several Asian countries, and that if passed by the Parliament, Home Ministry is prepared to implement it.