Today, about 20% of Australians are descendants of convicts, including plenty of prominent citizens.

BBC: Australia��s penal colony roots

Also under pressure: Justice Secretary Serafin Cuevas, for including a priest killer among convicts granted presidential pardons.

CNN: Reinventing Estrada

Dutt, the most high-profile among the convicts, was originally charged with five offences, including criminal conspiracy and possession of illegal weapons.

BBC: Sanjay Dutt

"In the meantime, the execution of death sentence of four convicts shall remain stayed, " said a panel including Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, Justice AR Dave and Justice Vikramajit Sen.

BBC: Veerappan gang on death row: India court delays hangings

The Fellowship runs several programmes including writing letters to prisoners, supporting prayer groups and raising money to buy Christmas presents for the children of convicts.

BBC: Andy Taylor, Prison Fellowship