Deputy PM orders release of 97 prisoners in Thai Nguyen

Deputy Prime Minister Binh on December 1 at the amnesty ceremony at the Phu Son 4 Prison. The gesture offers the inmates a chance to start a new life and brings joy to their families.

A male inmate anxiously listens to the Prime Minister at the amnesty ceremony. He is one of 4,000 fortunate prisoners across the country being released early this year in celebration of TET.

Pictured is Trinh Thi Thuy Trang, 20, and her daughter. Trang has been in prison since 2012 on a drug conviction and is one of 31 female prisoners being let out of jail early at the ceremony.

These offenders are disheartened upon learning they have not been chosen for early release.

A female prisoner sits on pins and needles waiting for her relatives.

Each offender receives a certificate of amnesty and a small stipend (amount of money) upon their release.

Bui Thanh Tuan and his 10-year-old daughter embrace following his early release.

Ms Dung (Middle) walks of jail early with her daughter, carried by a relative. Her daughter was born at the prison during Ms Dung’s incarceration and stayed with her in the jail.

View of relatives anxiously waiting for offenders outside the prison.

A prisoner shakes hands with a relative who came to escort him home.

A newly released prisoner cradles his daughter in his arms.

A female offender receives warm welcome of smiling relatives.

A mother (in purple suit) meets her two sons.

A newly released prisoner hands his mother a boat he made while in custody at the prison.

A man shakes hands with a prison guard after his release and expresses his appreciation for being able to put prison life behind him and start a new life.