New software to monitor inmates and measure temperature in cellsA new program which allows inmates to be monitored, the temperature in prison cells to be measured and the number of cell beds to be counted is currently being tested at investigation wards in 20 Russian regions.13:09 28.02.2013
Pussy Riot's Alyokhina ordered to spend 90 days in solitary confinementPussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina will remain in solitary confinement for three more months for safety reasons, the Perm Regional Federal Penitentiary Service told RIA Novosti.17:06 26.02.2013
Russia to build fewer European-style detention centers by 2017The government has changed the state penitentiary system development program for 2007-2016, reducing the number of planned European-standard pre-trial detention centers from 26 to 18.16:44 26.02.2013
Georgian prosecutors investigate deaths of 700 prisoners over seven yearsGeorgian Prosecutor General Archil Kbilashvili announced on Monday that an inquiry has launched into the deaths of over 700 prisoners in the past seven years.17:53 18.02.2013
Pussy Riot's Alyokhina wins fight to repeal 2 of 4 prison sanctionsThe Berezniki City Court in the Perm Territory on Friday invalidated two of the four penalties levied on Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina in the local prison.12:46 08.02.2013
Penal colony to consider disciplinary complaints of Pussy Riot’s AlyokhinaA Perm Territory court that ruled earlier this month that Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina would serve out the remainder of her punk-prayer sentence despite appeals for lenience so that she might care for her young child told RAPSI Tuesday that the band member’s complaints against the prison are not within the court’s bailiwick at this point.18:49 29.01.2013
High-security prison for extremists to open in SiberiaA high-security prison for extremists will open in Yeniseisk in the Krasnoyarsk Territory next spring, says Vladimir Shayeshnikov, the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service's regional department.16:07 29.01.2013
Man who filmed torture in a Georgian prison arrestedVladimir Bedukadze, a former warden who filmed incidents of torture in the Gldani Prison in Georgia, was arrested in Tbilisi International Airport.13:44 18.01.2013
Lack of financing for prison reform, justice minister saysState penitentiary system reform is not progressing as rapidly as desired due to a lack of financing, Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov said on Wednesday.16:43 16.01.2013
Russian prisons ordered to provide external medical careThe Russian government has required the Federal Penitentiary Service to provide prisoners and detainees with medical services external to detention facilities in cases where detention centers are unable to provide such services.14:15 10.01.2013
Russia scrambles to improve detainee rights record under ECHR guidanceIn response to the shocking volume of complaints launched on the basis of pre-trial detention conditions in Russia, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) opted to issue a pilot-decision aimed at strengthening the protections in the country guaranteed under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (Convention), which prohibits torture and inhuman and degrading treatment. Nearly a year after the passage of the pilot-judgment, RAPSI decided to take a look back at the progress that has been made thus far.10:30 09.01.2013
Russian prisoners used video conference more than 100,000 times in two yearsRussian prisoners have used video conference services more than 100,000 times in the past two years to speak with their relatives.17:11 27.12.2012
Pussy Riot member reprimanded for ignoring prison regulationsConvicted Pussy Riot member Maria Alyohkina has been reprimanded in prison once again for refusing to get up on time. According to Russian penal code, every misdemeanor, albeit minor, lowers the chance of parole.17:06 24.12.2012
Penitentiary Service officers suspected of 2 million euro blackmailTwo high-ranking officials of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FPS), Alexander Tyurin and Igor Fomenko, are suspected of extorting two million euros for a contract for the production of electronic tracking bracelets.12:14 24.12.2012
Pussy Riot girls out of New Year celebration due to early lights-outPussy Riot band members Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, sentenced to two years in prison for disorderly conduct in the Christ the Savior Cathedral, will not be able to celebrate New Year because of the strict rules kept at their penal colony.12:14 20.12.2012
Prisoners granted right to request mitigation of their punishmentRussian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting prisoners the right to request mitigation of their punishment themselves.10:17 04.12.2012
Pussy Riot's Alyokhina moved to solitary after problems with cellmatesPussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina, who was convicted for disorderly conduct at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, has been transferred to solitary upon her own request due to tensions with her cellmates.15:51 23.11.2012
Escapes from isolation wards drop five-foldThe number of successful escapes from investigative isolation wards has dropped five-fold from 2010, Federal Penitentiary Service official Valery Boyarinev told journalists on Wednesday.17:37 31.10.2012
Pussy Riot members reach prisonPussy Riot members Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, who were earlier sentenced to two years in prison for disorderly conduct, have reached the prisons where they will serve their sentences.17:09 24.10.2012
Convicted Pussy Riot members sent to prisonThe convicted Pussy Riot band members Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, sentenced to two years in prison for disorderly conduct at the Christ the Savior Cathedral, have been transferred to prison from Moscow detention facility.11:04 22.10.2012