Parole to Increase by 30% Next Year... Average of 1,340 Inmates to Be Released Monthly

Aimed at Resolving Overcrowding in Correctional Facilities

The Ministry of Justice has announced plans to further increase the number of parolees starting next year in order to address the issue of overcrowding in correctional facilities.

Justice Minister Sung-ho Jung is reporting on work to President Jae-myung Lee at the Government Seoul Office Annex on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 21st, the Ministry of Justice released a press statement saying, "Last month, we prepared a plan to expand parole for next year, and we intend to implement this expansion even more proactively starting next year."

Currently, the occupancy rate of correctional facilities in Korea stands at 130%, with overcrowding persisting. In response, the Ministry of Justice granted parole to 1,218 individuals in September, including foreigners subject to deportation who are not returning to society, as well as patients and elderly inmates with a low risk of recidivism. This figure is about 30% higher than the monthly average number of parolees (936) between May and August.

Despite these active parole measures, the problem of overcrowding in correctional facilities has not been resolved. As a result, the Ministry of Justice has drawn up a plan to increase the target number of parolees next year by 30% compared to this year.

According to data released by the Ministry of Justice, the average number of parolees permitted per month increased by about 30%, from 794 in 2023 to 1,032 this year. If the plan is implemented as intended next year, the monthly average number of parolees is expected to reach 1,340.

The Ministry of Justice stated, "While maintaining strict parole review standards for violent offenders, we will increase parole for inmates with a low risk of reoffending. We aim to encourage voluntary rehabilitation among inmates, reduce recidivism rates, and lay the foundation for inmates to return as healthy members of society."

Some have raised concerns that the expansion of parole may be intended for those who have received prison sentences in cases such as the Daejang-dong scandal and the North Korea remittance case, which are considered part of President Lee's 'judicial risks.' In response, the Ministry of Justice emphasized in its statement, "In August, Minister Jung instructed that the number of parolees be increased by about 30% to swiftly resolve unconstitutional and illegal overcrowding. The expansion of parole is aimed at addressing the issue of overcrowding in correctional facilities."