Government of Nicaragua grants freedom to 1,500 common prisoners for National Holidays
In the framework of the celebration of the National Holidays, the Government of Nicaragua has granted freedom to 1,500 people who were serving final sentences. The beneficiaries were moved to a family coexistence regime, allowing them to return to their homes after receiving the legal benefit at the various facilities of the National Penitentiary System.
The main event took place at the facilities of the penitentiary center known as La Modelo, located in the vicinity of Managua, although the measure was simultaneously replicated in seven other detention centers in the country. The Minister of the Interior, María Amelia Coronel Kinloch, led the official ceremony, linking this decision to the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the execution of the dictator Anastasio Somoza García at the hands of the poet Rigoberto López Pérez.
Release figures in 2024
With this recent group of releases, the Nicaraguan Ministry of the Interior reports a total of 7,900 common prisoners released so far this year. This family coexistence policy has been constant over the last few months:
- July: 2,000 released for the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution.
- May: 2,000 released in honor of Nicaraguan Mother’s Day.
- February and April: 1,200 released on each date for the National Day of Reconciliation and Peace, and Holy Week, respectively.
Nicaraguan authorities have placed more than 55,000 people under the family coexistence regime over the last decade. According to official records, the recidivism rate among those released under this program stands at 7.18%.
Debate on citizen security
Although the Executive branch presents this measure as an effort toward family integration, various sectors of civil society and feminist organizations have expressed their concern. The criticisms focus on the impact that these early releases could have on crime rates and the increase in cases of gender-based violence within Nicaraguan territory.
It should be noted that, during the year 2025, the Government reached a record figure by benefiting 9,900 convicts, marking the highest record of the last ten years regarding the application of this measure of grace.
