Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç addresses Covid-19 leave for convicts: An important statement
New Bill Allows Convicts on Covid-19 Leave to Serve Remaining Time on Probation
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç has announced on his social media account that a new bill regarding probation regulations has been accepted in the commission. The bill aims to address the situation of convicts who have been granted leave amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the bill, which has been accepted in the Parliamentary Plan and Budget Committee, convicts who are currently on Covid-19 leave and have 5 years or less remaining on their sentence will not have to return to prison. Instead, they will be allowed to serve their remaining time under probation.
In addition, the bill also proposes an earlier transfer of convicts from closed penal institutions to open penitentiary institutions. From July 31 onwards, convicts who have spent a certain period of time in closed institutions will be eligible for transfer 3 years earlier, as long as they exhibit good behavior. Moreover, these individuals can also be placed on probation 3 years earlier, provided that they have stayed in an open penitentiary institution for a minimum of 3 months, depending on the duration of their sentence.
Minister Tunç emphasized that under the new proposal, the obligations of those on probation but considered to be on leave will be lifted starting from July 31. Only if these individuals commit a crime will they be directly imprisoned. Furthermore, all obligations of those on Covid-19 leave who are released on probation through this regulation will remain in effect.
The bill aims to provide flexibility and address the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. It seeks to strike a balance between ensuring public safety and giving convicts an opportunity to serve their remaining time under probation, which may contribute to their successful reintegration into society.
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