Government grants 30 day amnesty to prisoners upon Pope's request

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca today announced a 30 day amnesty to all prisoners.

She said that the cabinet of ministers approved the amnesty following a request by Pope Francis as the Jubilee of Mercy comes to an end.

In a letter to Coleiro Preca, Pope Francis asked for an amnesty in respect of the dignity of prisoners at the end of the year of mercy.

"The pope emphasised the rehabilitation of inmates rather than a punitive system," Coleiro Preca said.

On his part, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, thanked both the President and the government for accepting the Pope’s request and said this was a signal that the country was committed to providing inmates with an opportunity to rehabilitate.

Home affairs minister Carmelo Abela explained that the amnesty will benefit all inmates, including those under arrest and awaiting their sentence while prisoners serving more than one sentence will only have the 30 days deducted once.