As part of an effort by the Iraqi government to free up space in prisons, the government gave amnesty to for tens of thousands of prisoners and recovered tens of millions of dollars from people convicted of theft and corruption.
Iraq grants amnesty to 35,000 prisoners

Iraq released over 35,000 people in prisons and detention centers as part of an amnesty law that was passed realer this year.
In addition to the 35,000, another 144,000, including defendants in pre-trial detention and those out on bail or facing arrest warrants, can be released or avoid arrest under the same law.
The Supreme Judicial Council, in its announcement, stated that over $34.4 million had been recovered in restitution from those convicted of theft and corruption.
The January law seeks to ease pressure on the country’s prisons that are facing overcrowding. According to Iraq’s justice minister, the 31 prisons in the country were housing upwards of 65,000 prisoners despite having been built for only half of that capacity.
While the law primarily concerns people convicted of theft, corruption and drug use, some convicted on terrorism-related charges were also covered, though those convicted of killing in relation to the terrorism charges were not eligible.
However, individuals convicted on terrorism charges could ask for a retrial if they asserted that their confessions were given under duress while in detention. Executions were also halted.
The council did not provide a breakdown of the charges that those being given amnesty had faced.