Mexico has released nearly 2,700 prisoners early as overall jail population grows

FILE PHOTO: Police officers stand guard during a roll call of inmates at the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril/File Photo

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico has released thousands of prisoners during Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's presidency as part of an effort to free those who have not committed serious crimes or were being held unjustly, authorities said on Thursday.

The releases follow a decree by Lopez Obrador in August 2021 ordering the release from federal jails of people who had been tortured, as well as certain elderly and ill prisoners who have not committed serious crimes and others held without sentencing for over the legal maximum of two years.