The pope modified some points in the Vatican’s penal code. These changes favor convicts’ reinsertion into society, though the Vatican prison isn’t exactly full.
The first change is a step toward making prisons a place to help prisoners. It’s an idea Pope Francis has voiced more than once.
POPE FRANCIS
February 7, 2019
“It is a place where everyone: security, chaplains, teachers and volunteers are called to the difficult task of healing the wounds of those, who by their mistakes, have lost their personal freedom.”
From now on, convicts who show good conduct can have their sentences reduced by 45 to 120 days for every year of the sentence already completed.
The other changes modify the penal process. They establish that if the accused decides not to appear in court, the judge will be allowed to proceed with the hearing with the defense attorney. If the accused fails to appear for serious reasons, the judge must postpone the hearing. The modifications also clarify that the prosecutor can appeal.
The Vatican has been updating its justice system over the past years because of the rising number of cases it’s had to address due to greater internal controls.
Javier Romero
Translation: CT
