Director U Cho Win and relevant officials of the Prison Department met 1,065 male and 333 female prisoners who were released from the Mandalay Central Prison and delivered words of advice.

They also conducted medi­cal checkups and presented la­bour compensation and allow­ance to them.

“Today, those who have been granted amnesty are provided by the government with calculated travel allowances and transpor­tation expenses. Their labour compensations are also calculat­ed and paid out. Those returning to their respective regions are transported in departmental vehicles to the relevant bus ter­minals. If family members come to receive them, arrangements are made to ensure a warm and welcoming reunion. As an offi­cial in charge, I feel joyful and delighted that those who have now been released can return home in good health, reunite with their families, contribute to the country, and lead peaceful family lives,” said U Thein Zaw Maung, deputy director of the prison.

One of the released inmates said, “I am very happy to have been granted amnesty. I am ex­tremely delighted to be able to return home quickly. My family members are already here to pick me up. Now, I can reunite with my family, and I will contin­ue to live and work peacefully in accordance with the law. I would like to express my gratitude to the responsible authorities of the government for showing le­niency and granting amnesty to prisoners like us.”

Another released inmate said,” I am serving a sentence of one and a half years. I am very happy to have been released un­der this pardon. My family mem­bers are here outside to receive me. I would like to thank the re­sponsible authorities for grant­ing this amnesty. Once outside, I will make sure not to repeat my mistakes and will live and work within the framework of the law.”

Across the Mandalay Re­gion, a total of 2021 inmates – 1,529 male and 492 female in­mates – from five prisons and seven labour camps were grant­ed amnesty yesterday. — Maung Aye Chan/KTZH