President Michael Sata has released 59 female prisoners countrywide as part of this year’s New Year celebrations.
This is according to an Order of Release signed by the Head of State dated December 28, 2012.
President Sata signed the order in exercise of the powers vested in him by Article 59 (d) of the Constitution of Zambia.
Out of the 59 female prisoners, 43 are inmates with children, 12 are aged above 60 years and four are expectant mothers.
This is according to a Press Statement issued by President Sata’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah made available to Breeze News.
The rationale behind the President’s decision is to decongest the extremely crowded prison facilities countrywide as well as reintegrate prisoners into society.
The president says that the move has also resulted in the freeing of about 50 children who are below the age of three whose mothers were serving various sentences.
President Sata has counselled the released inmates to show exemplary behaviour and prove to the society that indeed they have reformed.