Joseph Isangura
In a gesture of hope and compassion, President Samia has pardoned 1,548 prisoners across the country as Tanzania celebrates its 63rd Independence Anniversary.
The move, aimed at giving individuals a fresh chance to reintegrate into society, was announced by Daniel Sillo, the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, in a statement issued on Monday.
The amnesty includes various categories of inmates, with 22 prisoners granted immediate release. The remaining 1,526 will benefit from reduced sentences, contributing to their earlier return to society.
The pardon applies to prisoners who were serving sentences of two years or more and had completed at least one-quarter of their terms by October 19, 2024. Special attention was also given to vulnerable individuals such as terminally ill inmates in critical stages, elderly prisoners aged 70 and above, pregnant women, and those with severe physical or mental disabilities that impact their capacity to work.
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Additionally, those whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, inmates who have served 15 years or more regardless of their crimes, and detainees who have been held for over a decade are included in the amnesty.
“The government hopes that these pardoned individuals will take this opportunity to reintegrate as responsible members of society and refrain from actions that could lead to reoffending,” the statement concluded.
