MOSCOW, October 4 (RAPSI) — The Russian Ministry of Justice has drafted a bill providing for the possibility of release on parole and mitigation of yet not served sentence terms for women convicted of minor crimes and having children under the age of four, the press service of the ministry informs.

The proposed changes are to create greater opportunities for observing the rights of motherhood and childhood, help to preserve family ties of convicted women, as well as reduce the number of women held in places of detention together with children, according to the statement.

Another draft law proposes to raise the cap on the age of children kept with their mothers in penitentiary institutions from three to four years.

It is also proposed to increase the amount of money that convicts are allowed to spend on the purchase of food and essentials, in accordance with the inflation rate for the period from 2016 to 2021.

The relevant draft federal laws and planned amendments to the Russian Criminal Colde are posted for public discussion.