Ministry of Justice Grants Parole to About 970 Inmates in Correctional Facilities... 9th Comprehensive Inspection at Dongbu Detention Center

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the morning of the 14th, the Ministry of Justice granted parole to approximately 970 inmates with confirmed sentences across correctional facilities nationwide. This move was made due to concerns over additional group infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and it is expected to be effective in securing space for isolation and confinement.

The parolees include those with underlying health conditions, elderly inmates, and model prisoners. Long-term or life-sentenced inmates, as well as offenders involved in social disturbances such as sexual violence and drunk driving, were excluded. Among the parolees, 16 confirmed cases will be transferred to living treatment centers or will self-isolate at home, considering the initial onset dates, while non-confirmed inmates are advised to refrain from going out for two weeks.

Seoul Eastern Detention Center, the epicenter of the group infection, conducted the ninth round of mass testing on about 1,000 people, including inmates, correctional officers, and inmates transferred from Daegu Prison. After the first female inmate tested positive in the seventh round of testing, five close contacts were confirmed positive in the eighth round, making the potential further spread among female inmates a critical issue.

The results are expected as early as tomorrow morning. A Ministry of Justice official stated, "Among the total 1,249 confirmed cases in correctional facilities, 15 staff members and 325 inmates have been released from isolation, and the number of confirmed cases at the Eastern Detention Center is gradually decreasing following eight rounds of mass testing," adding, "We will continue close cooperation with health authorities going forward."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.