Government releases 3,522 prisoners ahead of Pope Francis visit

Yinka Ogunlami 22:16 - 11 September 2015

Cuban President Raul Castro met Pope Francis during a private audience at the Vatican in May

The release was carried out on age, health, sex and nationality basis, those over 60years, below 20years, chronically ill, women and foreigners.

Ahead of Pope Francis visit to the US, Cuban Government as a gesture of goodwill have pardoned and released 3,522 prisoners.

The release was carried out on age, health, sex and nationality basis, those over 60years, below 20years, chronically ill, women and foreigners(provided their country of origin vows to repatriate them).

This is the highest release of prisoners since the 1959 revolution.

Read: Pope Francis to visit Africa in November

According to ‘The Guardian’ The decision is due to be effective within 72 hours.

“On the occasion of the visit by His Holiness Pope Francis, the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba (the highest governmental body)… agreed to pardon 3,522 prisoners, chosen due by the nature of the acts for which they were jailed, their behavior in prison, the time of punishment and health concerns,” The statement read.

In December 28, 2011, Raul Castro’s government granted a pardon to 2,991 prisoners on the occasion of a visit by pope Benedict (who came in March 2012).