04.06.2025 19:30
The 30-article penal reform package, known as the 10th Judicial Package, was accepted and enacted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and published in the Official Gazette, coming into effect. With this decision, the way was opened for the release of 19,800 prisoners before the Eid al-Adha, and it is expected that the releases will begin today.
The law proposal known to the public as the "10th Judicial Package," concerning the Execution of Sentences and Security Measures, was accepted in the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). With this law, amendments are being made to the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law in accordance with the Constitutional Court's annulment decision.
EXECUTION REGULATION HAS COME INTO FORCE, RELEASES MAY BEGIN
With the decision, the long-awaited 10th Judicial Package has opened the way for the release of 19,800 convicts who have committed repeated offenses, as well as seriously ill and elderly convicts. The regulation has been published in the Official Gazette and has come into effect. Releases are expected to begin today.
SPECIAL EXECUTION REGULATIONS
With the law, the scope of special execution provisions is being expanded, and a home execution arrangement is being made for convicts over the age of 80. The execution judge may decide, upon the request of the convict, to serve the sentence in penal institutions on weekends by entering at 19:00 on Fridays and leaving at the same time on Sundays, and on weekdays by entering at 19:00 and leaving at 07:00 the next day, for a total of 3 years for intentionally committed crimes, and for a total of 5 years or less for crimes committed with negligence, excluding the crime of negligent homicide. The execution procedure may also be applied on weekdays, provided that the duration remains the same, according to the convict's work life and family situation, as well as the order and functioning of the penal institutions.
Without prejudice to the legal responsibilities regarding the complete compensation of damages arising from the crime, either by returning to the previous state or by compensation; the execution judge may decide to serve the sentence at home for women, children, or individuals over the age of 65 who have been sentenced to a total of 3 years, for those over 70 years of age to a total of 4 years, for those over 75 years of age to a total of 5 years, and for those over 80 years of age to a total of 6 years or less.
Except for those sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, convicts who have been sentenced to imprisonment or whose judicial fines have been converted into imprisonment, and who are determined to be unable to sustain their lives under the conditions of the penal institution due to a serious illness or disability, and who are assessed not to pose a serious and concrete danger to public safety, may have their sentences served at home, as decided by the execution judge.
The convict's situation will be examined by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office according to the procedure determined at one-year intervals. If it is determined that the convict has recovered based on the examination results, the execution judge will revoke the decision to serve the sentence at home. The convict will be monitored by the probation office and the local law enforcement authorities. Convicts with a total sentence of more than 10 years will be required to be monitored through electronic devices. If these obligations are violated, the decision to serve the sentence at home will be revoked by the execution court.
For female convicts who have been sentenced to a total of 5 years or less, or whose judicial fines have been converted into imprisonment, and who have given birth within the last 6 months, the execution judge may decide to serve their sentences at home. For those who are decided to serve their sentences according to the special execution procedure, the provisions regarding conditional release and probation measures will be applied according to the execution regime they are subject to. Convicts who do not fulfill certain obligations regarding the implementation of probation will not be able to benefit from special execution procedures.
Regulations are being made to comply with the anticipated amendment to allow conditional release for convicts who are subject to recidivism provisions for the second time. The provision requiring good conduct convicts in open penal institutions or juvenile education centers, who have 1 year or less remaining until their conditional release, to spend at least one-tenth of the time they need to spend in the penal institution until the date of conditional release will not be applied to crimes committed before the date it comes into force.
Details are coming...