Where can former prisoners in the Dnipropetrovsk region go?

A major amnesty is expected in Ukraine. Under the “On Amnesty” law, 7,000 convicts will be released. In particular, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, this act of state mercy will affect about five hundred prisoners. However, specialists await the entry into force of the law with apprehension: social services are not ready to receive former prisoners.

A night shelter for 25 people and a temporary heating point, opened by the city authorities for the duration of the cold spell — these are the only institutions that can receive former convicts in Dnipropetrovsk. There is no special service here. At the heating point, there is a “burzhuyka” stove and a hot main course. At the shelter, there is a bed, dinner, and legal assistance in restoring documents.

45-year-old Kostyantyn is a former prisoner, and now homeless. He has been in the city shelter for several months.

“Of course, I can sleep here, get warm, and eat something hot. Who else would give me something hot?” says the man.

Living in a shelter, working in a park

A rehabilitation centre for former convicts in Dnipropetrovsk has still not been created, although Ukrainian legislation has provided for the existence of such institutions in every region since 2004. Currently, no one guarantees former prisoners decent housing or work. The deputy director of the city social assistance centre, Liudmyla Matianova, says that it is difficult to find jobs for former convicts.

“We do not have a centre for the adaptation of former prisoners. There is only a shelter, with 35 people for 20 places. Because of the frosts, we accept everyone. People sit on benches and window sills. Employment centres do not accept them due to the lack of documents. Very often, people are released with only a certificate of release, and we have to spend quite a long time restoring their documents. They might get taken on to work in parks or at private construction sites, because they pay daily there,” says the deputy director of the social assistance centre.

Strong social ties and work are the salvation for the amnestied

Amnesty is perceived ambiguously in society. Ordinary citizens fear: the state’s act of mercy towards convicts could lead to a surge in crime and dangerous diseases.

In the Department for the Execution of Sentences in the Dnipropetrovsk region, they do not hide the fact that after this year’s amnesty, those released will include people suffering from serious illnesses — active forms of tuberculosis, AIDS, etc. However, they are all promised places in hospitals.

As for crime, law enforcement officers are confident that the number of crimes will not increase, noted Yaroslav Kostiuchenko, a senior inspector of the Department for the Execution of Sentences in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

“There will be no surge in crime; people who committed non-serious crimes, people who have strong social ties, will be released. This — provided there is employment — will prevent their return to the criminal environment. Of course, individuals prone to alcoholism and drug addiction will be released. But there are not many of them. Besides, the “On Amnesty” Law does not apply to those convicted of crimes in the sphere of illicit drug trafficking at all,” the specialist of the Department for the Execution of Sentences in the region noted.

Specialists advise people who are released after the amnesty to immediately restore their documents and not be afraid to turn to state social services. They say it is also possible to try asking for help from religious organisations, many of which now have their own adaptation centres for convicts for 5–10 people.

Meanwhile, according to statistics in Ukraine, one in ten amnestied individuals ends up behind bars again.

Reference: On 4 February 2011, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law “On Amnesty” in the second reading. The amnesty is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. The document is currently awaiting the President of Ukraine’s signature. According to explanations by lawyers, the amnesty will mainly cover individuals who have committed economic, non-aggressive, and property-related crimes.

According to preliminary estimates, more than 400 convicts will be released under the 2011 amnesty in the Dnipropetrovsk region; this is 2% of the total number of convicts in the region.

The last amnesty was held in Ukraine in 2009 and was dedicated to the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on Human Rights.