Minister for Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan said that the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had released a large number of convicts under parole and clemency, contributing to an increase in crime rates within the community.
Addressing a press conference on behalf of the “Home Team” comprising enforcement agencies, the minister said that the government has decided to improve the regulations for transfer of detainees to clemency, parole, and house arrest.
The reason for this, the minister said, is that many convicts have been released into the society during the current year and each of them will have a negative impact on the society.
However, the minister did not disclose how they will be improving the existing policy.
"When you look at crime statistics month by month, the manner in which these detainees were released and how certain crimes correlate has increased in society. This includes theft, mugging, and drug-related issues," the minister said.
Referring to the recent gang violence in Addu City, the minister noted two of the suspects arrested for their involvement were people that had been released from prison.
According to data provided by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih released 434 individuals to the community through parole and clemency between the first day of this year and November 16.
Fifty-three people were released under parole during that period, with the majority of these cases relating to drug-related issues.
Additionally, two individuals imprisoned for sexual crimes, one person detained for inflicting violence on another person with a sharp object, and two individuals who had been jailed for theft were also released. Two people detained under terrorism charges had also been released.
A total of 290 people were released under clemency, with the majority of them involved in drug-related offenses, totaling 249 detainees.
Three persons in prison for sexual offences and 21 others in property and financial offences were released on bail. Sixteen people who were jailed for heinous crimes were given clemency.
They include 10 people imprisoned for violence, one on terrorism charges, one on possession of sharp weapons, two people for causing harm to another person, one for intimidation, and one on manslaughter.
According to the data released by the ministry, 91 people have been transferred from prison to house arrest this year, with the majority of them incarcerated for drug offenses.
According to the Prisons and Parole Act, individuals who have completed a certain portion of their sentence in prison are eligible to be released on parole under specific conditions, aimed at reintegrating them into society without compromising public safety.
The decision to release individuals on parole will be made by the President based on the recommendations provided by the parole board. When granting parole, factors such as the individual's criminal record and potential threats they may pose to the community must be taken into account.
As long as individuals on parole do not violate the conditions imposed on them, they are free to live like any other member of society.
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