300 Palestinian security prisoners to be released due to overcrowding

Jailed terrorists along with another 700 criminals to have their sentences shortened as High Court demands more space for prisoners

A total of 300 prisoners serving time for terrorism and other security-related crimes are to be freed to prevent overcrowding within the prison system.

Along with the security prisoners, another 700 criminals are expected to be released when new government legislation is expected to come into effect on December 20, which will allow the prison authority to reduce each sentence automatically.

The Israel Prisons Sservice was forced to plan the release of the 1,000 prisoners due to a High Court ruling that requires each prisoner to have at least 4.5 square meters of personal space, an increase of 50 percent over the current three square meters.

Among the security prisoners expected to be released are the brother of Ahed Tamimi and an accomplice to the June 2017 terror attack that killed Border Police officer Hadas Malka, the Haaretz daily reported.

The government, which begins its winter session next week, is expected to pass legislation allowing the prison service to reduce sentences.

Whereas currently the prison service can reduce a sentence by a week for each six months served, according to the proposed legislation a six-month sentence will automatically be cut by two weeks. A one-year sentence will be reduced by a month; someone serving 20 years in jail will be entitled to a seven-month reduction.

The law is expected to pass on December 20 after it has been approved by by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and the Finance Ministry. In August, the measures were approved by the Knesset’s Interior Committee.

With these reductions, the prison service will be able to free a total of 1,000 prisoners.