The charity organisation paid a range of fines for the convicted men, allowing them to spend Christmas with their families.

The inmates, who had been charged with simple larceny, traffic offences and drug-related offences, faced fines from as low as $1,200 to $60,000.

According to Sandra Ramsay, head of the prison ministry, the relief programme started in 2000 with the aim of helping those charged with non-violent offences who were unable to pay fines.

Ease overcrowding

Several of the persons released expressed thanks to FFP and vowed to stay out of trouble.

Major Richard Reese, commissioner of corrections, has endorsed the programme. He said it would help to ease overcrowding in penal institutions throughout the country.