The Council of State has pardoned 2,604 persons currently serving prison sentences, in accordance with the new Constitution of the Republic, which emphasizes the reinsertion of prisoners into society; taking into account requests by families; and in consonance with policies established by the Cuban government several years ago.
The decisions were reached based on behavior in prison, time served, as well as characteristics and consequences of crimes committed.
Likewise taken into account were age and health condition, while women, youth, and older adults were given particular consideration.
In all cases, those pardoned have served a minimum of one third of the court ordered sentence.
Not included among those pardoned are those convicted of murder, rape, pedophilia with violence, homicide, corruption of minors, theft or illegal slaughter of livestock, as well as drugs-related crimes, theft of fuel, aggravated theft with violence or intimidation, and acts of corruption. Repeat or multiple offenders, and anyone previously pardoned, who was later convicted of a crime and sentenced to prison, were not considered for a pardon, either.
