The state government on Tuesday released 375 prisoners across the State for good conduct. Among them, 98 were from the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in the City alone.

Home Minister G Parameshwara, who gave away good conduct certificate and a cloth bag to the released prisoners, said prison is a place for change and not for punishment. The government is looking at a proposal to release prisoners, aged over 60 years, who have spent more than 14 years in jail, he added.

Of the 375 prisoners released, 255 were freed with remission and 120 were released without remission. Parameshwara said the released prisoners should not indulge in any kind of misbehaviour.

“It is a new lease of life and they should make full use of it. Also, they have lost most of their time in the prison. At least from now, they should lead a happy and peaceful life with their family members,” the minister said.

Director General of Police (DGP) Satyanarayana Rao said, “Every one, who is being released from the jail, will have to think that their past was a bad dream, forget it and move on in life and shape their future.”

Sister Adele, a member of Prison Advisory Board, said, “There was a delay in releasing prisoners from 2006 to 2015. Several prisoners, who were waiting to be released, died due to ill health and old age in this period. We request the government to release the prisoners on time without any further delay.”

Aravind Kumar, 45, a native of Mandya who was released from jail, said, “I had to spend 15 years in jail because of just one mistake. My father and the prison staff encouraged me to study in jail. I have secured three postgraduate degrees, including one in Kannada literature.” He was sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with a murder case.