The number of people convicted in places of imprisonment has decreased in the Russian Federation

In Russia, the number of prisoners in prison is decreasing due to the humanization of criminal policy. This became known on December 1 at a meeting between Vladimir Putin and the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service Arkady Gostev. More than 91% of those convicted in the Russian Federation are currently employed, and more than 30 thousand people are serving their sentences in the form of forced labor. The convicts in the colonies produced products worth 47 billion rubles in 2024.

What was discussed at the meeting

Against the background of the humanization of criminal policy in Russia, the number of convicts in prison is decreasing, Arkady Gostev noted. At the same time, 16 facilities of the penal system have been commissioned in the country over the past three years. According to the director of the Federal Penitentiary Service, in 2025 there will be another new pre-trial detention center in Kazan, designed for 1,000 places. "In addition to this institution, of course, the implementation of the Federal Probation Law [plays] a positive role. We provide assistance in obtaining medical services, we prepare them for release almost from the moment they enter the detention center," he said.

There are 400 correctional centers in the country (special institutions where those sentenced to forced labor serve their sentences) with the possibility of accommodating up to 50,000 people in them. Now there are more than 30 thousand people there, they are being helped with socialization, the head of the FSIN noted. "Convicts have the right to leave [correctional centers], arrive at their places of work on their own, receive a good salary, which helps to compensate for the damage caused by their crimes," Arkady Gostev said.

Despite the reduction in the number of special agents, additional measures are being taken today to enhance the employment of convicts. According to Arkady Gostev, 91.5-91.6% are currently employed in the penal enforcement inspection system. Moreover, the convicts in the colonies produced 47 billion rubles worth of products in 2024. "These are quite good parameters. The main thing is, of course, light industry. [We produce uniforms] for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rosgvardiya, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, bailiffs, the tax service, that is, the range is quite large," he concluded.