The explanatory note to the draft law “On Amendments to Articles 73 and 81 of the Criminal Enforcement Code of the Russian Federation” states that in some colonies, inmates from Central Asian countries make up as much as 48% of the prison population. The authors of the proposal argue that this group, described as “carriers of extremist and terrorist ideologies,” poses risks to operational stability and undermines the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts in the correctional system.

Human rights advocates point out that maintaining order and ensuring safety in prisons is already the direct responsibility of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN):
“Why introduce new laws? Perhaps FSIN’s operational staff should simply be required to fulfill their professional duties. Or do they lack time because they are too busy targeting human rights defenders and citizens who speak openly about the penitentiary system?”

Photo: gubernia