Twenty-six prisoners in Kandal provincial prison have requested clemency on the occasion the upcoming Water Festival.

Speaking in an August 26 meeting, Kandal provincial deputy governor Nob Dara told his officials to thoroughly respect legal procedures while reviewing the requests, which include sentence reductions and pardons.

He said thorough evaluation is necessary to ensure that only fully rehabilitated prisoners would be selected to reintegrate into society and rejoin their families.

“Only prisoners that qualify under these conditions may be granted clemency. They must have become aware of their place in society and be prepared to be good citizens,” he was quoted by Kandal provincial administration as saying.

He said all 26 of the prisoners that were being evaluated should be role models to other prisoners and be encouraging positive change in the prison population. This would include attending any vocational training and integration programmes available.

According to Kandal provincial prison chief Em Nimol, the 26 prisoners included three women. A list of their names had been submitted to committee for review and evaluation.

Cambodia permits clemency for prisoners on several occasions such as Khmer New Year, Visak Bochea Day, and the Water Festival.