Who will benefit from the sentence reduction under the 11th Judicial Package? Here are the details of the new package...

The Justice Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) has approved the 11th Judicial Package, which introduces a sentence reduction for those who committed crimes on or before July 31, 2023. This regulation was prepared to address severe overcrowding in prisons and to provide for the mitigation of sentences related to certain crimes. However, specific crimes will not be eligible for this reduction.

CRIMES ELIGIBLE FOR SENTENCE REDUCTION

According to the regulation, intentional killing, injury, drug trafficking, theft, robbery, fraud, forgery, and other similar crimes committed on or before July 31, 2023, will fall under the scope of the sentence reduction. Prisoners tried for these crimes with sentences of less than 10 years may be released one month early, while those with sentences of more than 10 years may be released three months early.

As reported by Alican Uludağ from DW Türkçe, convicts in open prisons will be able to transition to probation after three months and may be released three years early during this process. This regulation provides an opportunity for early release of up to 5 years. Additionally, defendants in earthquake-related cases will also benefit from this reduction.

TERRORISM AND ORGANIZED CRIME EXCLUDED

According to the judicial package, crimes that will not benefit from the sentence reduction include terrorism offenses and organized crimes. Individuals who have received prison sentences for crimes committed under the Anti-Terror Law and for organized criminal activities will not be eligible for the sentence reduction.

Convicts in the Gezi Park trial are also excluded from this scope. For instance, Osman Kavala, who was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, and those who aided this crime, such as Can Atalay, Tayfun Kahraman, Çiğdem Mater Utku, and Mine Özerden, will not be able to benefit from the sentence reduction.

DOMESTIC HOMICIDE AND SEXUAL OFFENSES EXCLUDED

Initially, intentional killing crimes against women and children, as well as sexual offenses, were included in the sentence reduction. However, these crimes were excluded following a last-minute motion submitted by the AKP in the commission. Domestic homicides, sexual abuse of children, and sexual assault do not fall under the scope of the sentence reduction.

For example, those who committed intentional killing against a spouse, child, or disabled person will not receive a sentence reduction. However, those who engaged in sexual intercourse with children over the age of 15 "without force, threat, or deception" will be able to benefit from this reduction.

Former HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, who are being tried in the Kobani case, will also not be able to benefit from this regulation. Demirtaş had been sentenced to 42 years and Yüksekdağ to 30 years and 3 months in prison. The crimes for which these individuals were sentenced, namely "undermining the unity of the state" and "making propaganda for a terrorist organization," were kept outside the scope of the sentence reduction.

SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN THE SINAN ATEŞ MURDER WILL BENEFIT FROM THE REDUCTION

The sentence reduction regulation will also apply to many judicial crimes that directly affect society. For example, suspects involved in the murder of former Ülkü Ocakları President Sinan Ateş will be able to be released early thanks to this regulation.

DEFENDANTS IN EARTHQUAKE CASES WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE REDUCTION

The 11th Judicial Package also covers defendants being tried due to the major earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023. While criminal investigations continue against 2,380 people held responsible for the earthquake, most of these individuals will be able to receive a sentence reduction. For example, cases such as the Isias Hotel case in Adıyaman and the Rönesans Residence case in Hatay will benefit from the sentence reduction.

THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMA AND MINING DISASTERS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE REDUCTION

Those responsible for the mining disaster in Soma will also receive a sentence reduction. The trial process regarding the disaster that led to the death of 301 miners will benefit from the sentence reduction. Similarly, defendants who caused the deaths of 42 people in the Amasra mine accident, 25 people in the Çorlu Train Accident, and 7 people in the Hendek fireworks factory explosion will also be eligible for early release.

According to data from the Ministry of Justice, as of December 1, 2025, there are 433,543 detainees and convicts in prisons in Turkey. However, the total capacity of 403 prisons is only 305,286. This indicates that there are 128,257 excess detainees and convicts in prisons.