West Bengal Has Released 840 Prisoners Serving Life-Term Since 2011, to free 45 : CM

PTI, Kolkata, Sep 18, 2025 :  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday stated that the state government has released 840 prisoners serving life terms since 2011. All of these individuals had served more than 14 years of their sentences.

Banerjee further announced that an additional 45 inmates are being released, following due legal procedures. She congratulated the released individuals and their families, highlighting that their good behaviour during incarceration played a significant role in the decision.

"Our government has legally released many life prisoners who have already served more than 14 years of their sentences. Since 2011, 840 such people have been released. Another 45 are being legally released. I congratulate them and their families," Banerjee posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"I know that their behaviour during their imprisonment was good. This release is a recognition of that," she wrote, emphasizing the rehabilitative role of correctional facilities.

Banerjee also expressed hope that the released prisoners would lead reformed lives. "The job of correctional facilities is to change the mindset of criminals and bring them back into the mainstream of society," she said.

"I hope that these released prisoners will become good citizens in their new and free lives — and only then will our efforts be successful," she added.