Five life prisoners, who have served a minimum of 22 years in prison, were sent to Gasa to work at the dzong renovation site, yesterday.
The Open Air Prison Programme was launched in March, last year.
A 72-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment when he was 49, for chorten vandalism. Yesterday, he stepped outside the prison for the first time in 23 years, since the day he was imprisoned.
The Chief of Police, Brigadier Kipchu Namgyel said with the gracious approval from His Majesty the King, they are sending five life prisoners to Open Air Prison at Gasa.
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“The most important condition is they behave well and keep a good track of record while in Open Air Prison at Gasa Dzong Renovation Works. On completion of the project, His Majesty could grant them amnesty.”
The Police Chief said it is an opportunity for them to show exemplary behavior. He added they are sending them on a trial basis. If they behave well, he said the other life prisoners will also get same opportunity.
There are 174 convicts serving life imprisonment, at the moment.
Before releasing them, the five life prisoners with others inmates at Chamgang Central Jail received blessings from the Tshogi Rinpoche of Zhung Dratshang.
The Tshogi Rinpoche also awarded khadar to the five life prisoners.
Since the launch of the remission and Open Air Prison programmes, 462 inmates are serving their sentences contributing labour at various Lhakhangs and Wandue Phodrang and Gasa Dzong renovation sites.
Inmates, who have served at least 75 percent of their prison term and show a good track record, are eligible for Open Air Prison.
The inmates of the Open Air Prison have earned an income of more than Nu.6.6 MN. They get one third of their income. The rest is kept under a joint account while they serve their terms. They money will become theirs once they complete their term.
If the inmates of Open Air Prison are found flouting certain rules, they will be brought back to the prison. Till date, 41 inmates at the Open Air Prison were brought back to the prison for failing to follow certain rules.
