South Sudanese President Salva Kiir said he will begin releasing some inmates from the National Prisons Service on the New Year’s Eve, the president’s press office said.

Kiir make the remarks on Tuesday when he visited the prisoners and staff of the Juba Central Prison.

Addressing the inmates on Christmas Eve, Kiir encouraged the inmates to cooperate with the prison officers, saying those who have proven good conduct and have minor cases will be released.

“I will speak to the director of prisons, Minister of Justice, Minister of Interior and my Legal Adviser, they will bring recommendations for your people and I am going to release all of them on 1st of January,” Kiir told the inmates.

Meanwhile, Minister of Interior Michael Chiangjiek called for the president’s support to build a new prison that will allow the National Prisons Service to carry out its work effectively.

Minister Chiangjiek said the prison is overcrowded and some of the inmates who have shown good conduct will be released.

Henry Kuac Aguar, the Director-General of the National Prisons Service, said many inmates have overstayed in jail without their cases being reviewed and appealed to the leadership to put it into consideration.

The president’s press office said Kiir is expected to visit several institutions in the capital Juba, including orphanage centre, military hospital and al-Sabah children hospital.