MOSCOW, May 31 (RAPSI) – Russia’s government has supported a legislative initiative to amend the national Criminal Code in a way subjecting mitigation of criminal penalties to fast track procedures, according to the website of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The bill drafted by the Justice Ministry is to be submitted to the State Duma in accordance with the applicable procedure, the statement reads.

The draft law envisages a shorter prison term to be served before imprisonment could be substituted with compulsory community service. According to the authors of the proposed amendments, the new regulation is to aid in correction of offenders and prevention of repeated violations.

The bill is aimed to enhance the efficiency of social adaptation system for convicts.

In mid-May, Tatiana Moskalkova, Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner, backed the bill. The new initiative of the Justice Ministry is timely and is worth of every kind of assistance, Moskalkova said. Any measure aimed at faster socialization of former prisoners inspires respect and sympathy for the cause, the ombudsman noted.