President grants Christmas pardons to two women prisoners

Two women prisoners, who were serving sentences related to larceny and threatening language, have been granted pardons by President David Granger.

The women are Sherryann Marks, 19, and Simone Williams, 33. They were being held at the New Amsterdam prison.

The Ministry of Public Security announced that the pardons were granted by the President pursuant to his powers under article 188, 189 and 190 of the Constitution.

The Ministry said the President considered the women “fit and proper to receive such pardons.”

The pardons will be effective as of December 23, 2019, in time for Christmas.

“It is expected that this expression of compassion and humanity by His Excellency will result in families being re-united, and the pardoned offenders leading good and useful lives hereon,” the Ministry stated.

It has been customary for the President, since his assumption to office, to pardon prisoners for the Christmas holiday and the country’s Independence and Republic anniversaries.