Lucknow, Feb 5 : The Uttar Pradesh government has released 1,236 prisoners, who were poor, old and suffering from serious illnesses but had recorded good behaviour in the past one year.

The prisoners were released from different jails of the state before time between January 1, 2022 and January 31, 2023, said the spokesman for UP prison administration and reform services here on Saturday.

According to the government spokesman, at least 196 prisoners, sentenced to jail up to 10 years, were released before time under the 'Amrit Mahotsava' scheme.

He said the 'Amrit Mahotsava' scheme is for those prisoners who have been sentenced to a fixed term and have served at least their half term as well as their behaviour has been up to the mark according to the jail manual.

He said there is a provision to release such prisoners on August 15 2022, January 26, 2023 and August 15, 2023 during the 'Amrit Mahotsava'.