45 percent of those benefiting from early release reoffend
According to Ministry of Justice data, nearly half of those released from prison commit new crimes, highlighting the need for fundamental changes in the penal system.
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The revelation that Selçuk Tengioğlu, who attacked CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, had previously murdered his two children has brought the shortcomings of the penal system back to the agenda.
Data from the Ministry of Justice shows that 45 percent of individuals released from prison commit crimes again.
According to a report by the pro-government newspaper Türkiye, Ministry of Justice officials stated that the primary goal of the penal regime is rehabilitation and reintegration into society, noting, "However, globally, 40-45 percent of those who leave prison return to prison after committing new crimes. This situation follows similar rates in Turkey as well. These figures are quite alarming. The entire penal system needs to be re-evaluated with all its components. This is not a problem that the Ministry of Justice can solve alone; families, society, and the state must act together."
It emerged that Tengioğlu, who attacked Özgür Özel, had murdered his two children in 2004 and had a criminal record for offenses including theft and making threats. The case of Tengioğlu, who was released on parole in 2020 after serving 16 years in prison, exposes the loopholes in the penal system.