Title: Judicial Oversight and Compassionate Release: 175 Inmates Freed in Tehran
In a significant initiative aligned with the directives of the Head of the Judiciary, a comprehensive field inspection program was conducted across five penitentiary centers in Tehran Province. The program, executed within the framework of the Judiciary’s Development and Excellence Plan and coinciding with the Week of Unity and the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), aimed to directly oversee conditions and address inmate concerns.
Direct Judicial Engagement and Case Reviews
A delegation of 145 Tehran provincial judges personally visited the facilities. They engaged directly with inmates, listening to their grievances and conducting thorough reviews of individual judicial files. This hands-on approach underscores the judiciary’s commitment to humane and reform-oriented policies.
Compassionate Release of Eligible Inmates
As a direct result of these inspections, 175 eligible inmates were granted freedom under Article 200 of the Executive Regulations of the Prisons Organization, which allows for early release upon completion of a designated portion of their sentence. This action reflects the system’s focus on restorative justice and reducing the prison population through legal avenues.
Prosecutor’s Visit and Public Reception
Concurrently, Mr. Ali Salehi, the Tehran General and Revolutionary Prosecutor, along with his deputies, visited the Greater Tehran Penitentiary Complex. Touring various units, including public visitation halls and Dispute Resolution Council branches, he assessed the progress of judicial and administrative affairs.
During a public meeting, Prosecutor Salehi received and personally collected over 2,350 petitions from inmates. These requests primarily pertained to seeking clemency through institutions such as conditional release, pardon, sentence reduction, suspension, and furlough. He issued immediate orders for each petition to be meticulously reviewed and forwarded to the relevant legal authorities for action in accordance with the law.
Emphasis on Reconciliation and Infrastructure
Mr. Salehi highlighted the role of the 16 active Dispute Resolution Council branches within Tehran’s prisons. Utilizing the capacity of respected clergy and holding sessions with plaintiffs, these councils successfully facilitate peace and reconciliation, effectively resolving a significant number of cases and contributing to the reduction of the prison population.
In a parallel development, a new 5,000-cubic-meter water reservoir was inaugurated at the Greater Tehran Penitentiary Complex. Constructed through collaboration between the Tehran Provincial Prisons Organization and the Tehran Water and Wastewater Company, this critical infrastructure project will ensure a 72-hour water supply for the facility in case of disruptions. Prosecutor Salehi praised this as a vital step in strengthening penitentiary infrastructure, enhancing inmate welfare, and improving crisis resilience.
Concluding the visit, Mr. Salehi commended the efforts of prison administrators and staff, evaluating the overall conditions positively. He affirmed that the round-the-clock presence of social workers and supervisory judges plays a decisive role in resolving inmate issues. These field inspections and the direct addressing of prisoner petitions, he stated, symbolize the humane and reformist approach of the judicial system, firmly in line with the transformative policies of the Judiciary.
