Justice Ministry to simplify compensation for poor detention conditionshe Justice Ministry has proposed allowing suspects and convicts to demand monetary compensation for poor conditions in custody and prisons, even in cases where the responsible officials have not been proven guilty.12:32 09.04.2013
Number of convicts in Russia down considerably over four yearsThe number of convicts in Russian prisons has decreased considerably over the past few years, a Justice Ministry official said on Friday.14:35 05.04.2013
Pussy Riot's Alyokhina against prison transfer - lawyerPussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina does not want to be transferred from the Berezniki prison in the Perm Territory to another penal colony because she feels safe in her present location, her lawyer Irina Khrunova told RAPSI on Tuesday.15:47 03.04.2013
Investigators probe $32 mln e-bracelet fraudA criminal case has been opened into suspected fraudulent financial operations inside Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) involving the purchase of electronic tracking devices for tagging convicts.16:37 29.03.2013
Convicts may have terms reduced for hard work in prisonFederation Council member Konstantin Surkov has sponsored a bill to State Duma which proposes to give convicts a chance to reduce their sentences by working hard in prison. According to the bill, a prisoner who has demonstrated good conduct, hard work and has never been issued a reprimand can have his or her term reduced.11:53 26.03.2013
Former convicts require social rehabilitation to prevent repeat crimesSocial rehabilitation is needed to prevent former convicts from committing repeat crimes, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said on Monday at a government crime prevention commission meeting.16:08 25.03.2013
Supreme Court to hear lawsuit in defense of pregnant prison staffThe Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin's statement in defense of pregnant prison staff until April 22.13:18 18.03.2013
Russian authorities launch smartphone app for writing to prisonersThe Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) has launched a smartphone application for writing to convicts. Service representative Alexander Polkin told RIA Novosti that "the FSIN-letter mobile application can be installed on iOS and Android phones."12:43 14.03.2013
Over 10,000 sentenced Russians wear electronic braceletsOver 10,000 Russians sentenced to restricted freedom are controlled using electronic bracelets.17:46 13.03.2013
Russia does not consider option of private prisons - officialRussia does not yet plan to establish private prisons, Federal Penitentiary Service Deputy Director Nikolai Kolesnik told reporters on Wednesday.15:35 13.03.2013
No penalty for prison rules violation for Pussy Riot's TolokonnikovaThe disciplinary commission has decided against penalizing Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova who is serving a two-year sentence in a Mordovian prison for a 'punk prayer' at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.17:03 07.03.2013
Prison officials held over $3.2 mln sugar buy fraudRussian investigators said on Thursday they have uncovered new fraud schemes inside Russia’s prison system involving buying sugar for prisons at inflated prices.14:29 07.03.2013
Opposition leader Sergei Udaltsov ordered to wear tracking braceletSergei Udaltsov, a leftist opposition leader placed under house arrest as part of the case of the May 2012 riots on Bolotnaya Square, will be monitored by an electronic bracelet.11:01 07.03.2013
Audit Chamber exposes $120 million leak in state penitentiary systemThe Audit Chamber has exposed 3.7 billion rubles ($120.5mn, or 92.5mn) worth of violations in state contracts signed by the Federal Penitentiary Service.14:15 06.03.2013
Over 25,000 prison employees punished in 2012Over 25,000 detention centers and prison employees were disciplined or fined last year, Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika said at a board meeting on Tuesday.16:35 05.03.2013
One third of foreign prisoners in Russia held on drug convictionsA third of the circa 27,000 foreigners serving sentences in Russian prisons were convicted for drug-related crimes.12:41 04.03.2013
Russia grants more extraditions than it receivesRussia grants more extraditions than it receives, Sergei Yesipov, department head at the Federal Penitentiary Service, told RIA Novosti.11:46 04.03.2013
Over 4,000 inmates died behind bars in Russia in 2012Over 4,000 prison inmates died in Russia last year, Magomed Rasulov, a spokesman for the Prosecutor-General’s Office said while addressing a meeting of the Federal Penitentiary Service Board Thursday.17:42 28.02.2013
170 Russian prisons to be closed due to 10% cut in staffThe 10% cut in staff in the Russian penitentiary system may result in the closure of 170 penal colonies.15:46 28.02.2013
Russia's penitentiary service reveals $327 mln fraudRussia’s Federal Penitentiary Service said on Thursday it had uncovered fraudulent financial operations inside the organization which have cost it over 10 billion rubles (some $327 mln).14:06 28.02.2013