President David Granger has announced that he has decided to pardon eleven women convicts who are mothers and who are in jail for non-violent, non-cocaine related and non-human trafficking offenses.
Appearing on the weekly “The Public Interest” television programme, President Granger said he wants the eleven women to go home for the holidays.
“I hope to create a new tradition. Eleven women have been identified to be released, hopefully by Monday. My emphasis is on women who are mothers, who are parents of young children. I want them to be home for Christmas”.
The President made it clear that the mothers being pardoned would have been in jail for non violent offences and offences that are not related to cocaine trafficking or possession and human trafficking.
He said he sees his decision as “an act of compassion”, and even though there are persons who would have criticized an earlier decision to pardon youths who were serving time for non violent offences, “I am entitled to some compassion at Christmas time”.
Mr. Granger explained that his pardons are based on advice from his Attorney General and are not “whimsical” decisions.
He said that the government has a plan that will seek to ensure that young persons who are released from jail are offered some rehabilitation, “so they don’t go for jail again”.
The President made it clear that his pardons are really geared towards young people who may be in jail for misdemeanors and not persons serving time for criminal offences or drug related offences.
“I intend to do this every Christmas for women, particularly mothers and every Independence for young persons”, the President said.
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