Eighteen juvenile inmates who were serving their sentences in Nyagatare Prison were granted presidential mercy after passing the national examinations and showing good conduct.
The mercy was announced in cabinet statements of the Special cabinet session held on Friday at the presidential Palace “Village Urugwiro”. The inmates will be immediately released in order to pursue their studies in upper levels.
The Rwanda Correctional Services, Spokesperson has informed that amongst the inmates who were granted mercy include three who have passed the Ordinary Level examinations and fifteen others who have passed Primary Level leaving examinations.
The decision from the cabinet meeting comes two years after Rwanda Education Board and Rwanda Correctional Services have agreed to collaboratively allow juvenile inmates to follow academic studies and sit for National examinations.
Inmates who have passed O level examinations and those who have passed Primary Leaving Examinations will continue in schools of arts and sciences with others who have not passed continuing in vocational training schools while others who have passed the PLE will continue to O level
Nyagatare Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre is a transit for juvenile criminals of the age ranging between 14 and 18 who are convicted of various crimes.
Students of Secondary and Primary schools have started to report to their respective schools to get ready for the first term of the school year 2018, which opens officially, on 22nd of January.
The Constitution of the republic of Rwanda, in its article 109 provides authority for the President of the Republic to grant prerogative mercy to persons already convicted by courts. It reads “The President of the Republic has the authority to exercise the prerogative of mercy in accordance with the procedures provided for by law and after consultation with the Supreme”.
The Express News
