A brief overview of the legal amendments enacted in June 2025
Approved by the Turkish Parliament’s Justice Commission on June 1, 2025, and passed by the General Assembly on June 4, the 10th Judicial Reform Package introduces significant amendments to criminal and execution law. With new rules on sentence execution, expanded alternative enforcement options, and increased penalties for certain offenses, this package is expected to have notable implications in legal practice.
Addressing the Perception of Impunity: “Every Prison Sentence Will Require Time Served”
The reform mandates that all convicts, even those with short sentences, must serve a minimum portion of their sentence in prison. Specifically, at least one-tenth of the time remaining before eligibility for conditional release must now be spent in detention. This measure is seen as a direct response to the widespread public concern about perceived impunity in sentencing.
New Criteria for Supervised Release
The criteria for supervised release have been redefined. No longer will a clean disciplinary record suffice. The “good behavior” assessment will now be based on more objective and comprehensive measures.
Expanded Scope of Alternative Sentence Execution
To mitigate the social impact of incarceration, the use of alternative enforcement options—such as weekend, nighttime, or home detention—has been expanded, especially for women, the elderly, and individuals with health conditions.
Updated thresholds for home detention include:
For those over 65: increased from 1 to 3 years
Over 70: up to 4 years
Over 75: up to 5 years
Over 80: up to 6 years
Mothers who have recently given birth: eligible if sentenced to 5 years or less
Additionally, convicts with severe illnesses or disabilities may serve their sentence at home, provided incarceration poses serious health risks and does not endanger public safety.
Conditional Release for Repeat Offenders
The package also lifts the blanket ban on early release for repeat offenders. Individuals subject to recidivism laws may now qualify for conditional release after serving three-quarters of their term with good behavior.
Increased Penalties for Traffic and Violent Offenses
The package revises sentencing thresholds for various crimes:
Minimum penalties for endangering traffic safety have been raised.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will now carry longer prison terms.
Penalties for intentional injury and threats have been increased by 50%.
The minimum sentence for minor threats has been set at two months.
Weekday Enforcement Option Introduced
A new flexibility has been added to alternative sentencing: Inmates may now serve their time on weekdays rather than weekends if their employment or family circumstances justify it. This change is expected to provide more manageable enforcement options for working individuals.
Are Harsher Sentences About Punishment or Deterrence?
The 10th Judicial Reform Package is not just about flexibility—it also increases punishment for certain offenses. Offenders involved in traffic violations, aggravated threats, or drug- and alcohol-related driving offenses now face stricter consequences.
These measures aim to respond to public demands for greater safety. Still, as always, it is important to recognize that increased penalties alone rarely suffice to reduce crime.
A Policy Choice on Criminal Justice
More than just a set of legal amendments, the 10th Judicial Reform Package reflects a clear policy stance: “Every crime must have a tangible consequence.” At the same time, it creates areas of flexibility to avoid overwhelming the system.
Some provisions aim to strengthen public trust in justice, while others remain open to criticism for perceived inequality or privilege.
This leaves us with a crucial question:
Is justice merely a matter of legal procedure—or is it also a call to the conscience of society?
