When he met with the prison's supervisory committee, he praised the prison officials' ideas for inmate activities, such as a meeting day for prisoners' families, a day for writing letters of apology, and doling out small savings allowances for prisoners who make good progress.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (M) meets with prisoners at Xuan Loc Prison in the southern province of Dong Nai yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Sy Tuyen
He also pointed to the need to focus more attention on helping the prisoners with their future assimilation into society. Authorities needed to take this aspect of the job seriously so the prisoners could rebuild their lives and not return to a life of crime, despite the discrimination and stigma they would face.
According to Colonel Ho Phi Thang, a Xuan Loc prison warden, 525 out of the jail's 5,100 prisoners would be granted amnesty on this occasion.
The same day, Deputy PM Phuc worked with Dong Nai leaders on implementing the year's amnesty project. He called on the community and enterprises to support the former prisoners as they rejoined society.
On Saturday, the Deputy PM also visited Xuyen Moc Prison in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau, where more than 2,700 prisoners are being held.
At Xuyen Moc, 258 prisoners with good behaviour were being considered for amnesty. Thirty-three out of 100 offenders detained in local prisons were also expected to receive pardons.
