KHARTOUM, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese authorities on Tuesday released 1,636 prisoners on the occasion of annual Africa Prisons Day.
"This initiative comes on the occasion of Africa Prisons Day, where today we release 1,636 inmates," said Gen. Hatim Al-Nur, Director of Sudan's General Administration of Prisons, Reform and Rehabilitation, at a celebration event in Khartoum.
He explained that the number of inmates in Sudan is estimated at about 21,000, most of whom were sentenced to light terms.
He reiterated the improvement of prisons in Sudan, pointing to the government's serious endeavors to transform prisons into reformatory institutions and a productive sector contributing to the country's development.
Sudan on Tuesday celebrated the Africa Prisons Day for the first time based on recommendations of the conference of the Africa Correctional Services Association (ACSA), recently held in Kigali, Rwanda, with the participation of 23 African countries.
The ACSA approved an annual celebration for all prisons in the African countries on July 18, in memory of the late freedom fighter Nelson Mandela to promote prison conditions, raise awareness and highlight prison staff as performing a social service of particular importance.
