The Ministry of Justice’s latest bill proposal, which aims to abolish the controversial “Type C” maximum security facilities, among others, has come under fire by the country’s prosecutors.
Specifically, the union of prosecutors disagrees with a provision that would allow the provisional release of convict from every crime and degree, which aims to decongest Greek prisons. The union argues that it will essentially cancel judicial decisions and limits the preventative effect of sentences. Furthermore, this controversial provision will not allow the fair and proportionate punishment of crimes committed by offenders
The union further argued that public safety is at risk, should such a measure be implemented without any exemptions or relevance to the gravity of the crime committed. While the union concedes that the bill aims to address humanitarian concerns, particularly in the case of patients and disabled convicts, they note that this humanitarianism is “a la carte” and does not allow judicial authorities to consider each individual case on its own merits.
Regarding the provision which will see most minor offenders released, unless they committed a serious felony resulting in life imprisonment, the union of prosecutors fears that minors will be exploited by older criminals. Finally, the union underlines that these reforms are “opportunistic, disjointed and ultimately alien to the penal doctrine”.
