Over 350,000 on probation in Turkey, Justice Ministry says

Oya Armutçu – ANKARA

The number of convicts on probation reached 353,749 as of July 31, as the authorities try to open up space in prisons for the rising number of jailed Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) suspects, according to figures released by the Justice Ministry.
Another 280,675 suspects are awaiting trial outside jails on judicial control orders, as the investigations into their cases continue, according to the ministry. These suspects have travel bans and are obliged within specific periods to give signatures at police stations. An additional 71 people have been given house arrest instead of imprisonment. 

More individuals have recently been released early from prison after the number imprisoned exceeded 200,000 due to the ongoing investigations into the suspected Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ)-linked individuals.

The Justice Ministry also indicated that the authorities had not yet applied the “treatment” of chemical castration on any sex offenders after the Council of State stopped its execution last month on the grounds that it could “lead to hard-to-recover and unrepairable damage.” The Council of State’s 10th Division had said such an implementation was against one’s physical integrity and hence could only be undertaken with a law.

The Justice Ministry will accordingly take the Council of State’s appeal against the execution for consideration in the upcoming period. If the Council of State rules the regulation can be put into effect only with a newly enacted law, then the ministry is expected to undertake certain legislative regulations.