The Penitentiary System in 2012: Statistics

As of 01.01.2013, 147,112 people were being held in the 182 places of detention of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine (as of 01.01.2012 – 154,029 people). Over the year, the number of people in places of detention decreased by 6,917 (- 4.49%)

Mortality in Odesa pre-trial detention centre has increased sevenfold.

Prison authorities claim: tuberculosis and heart disease are to blame

Valeria Lutkovska submitted a petition to the Ministry of Justice regarding the cessation of operations of 'special forces' units in penitentiary institutions

The Authorised Representative of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights, Valeria Lutkovska, has submitted a petition to Ukraine's Minister of Justice, Alexander Lavrinovich, concerning the fact that over the past five years, special-purpose units operating outside legislative regulation have been actively employed within the structure of the State Penitentiary Service

Lutkovska calls for funding of prison special forces to be terminated

The Authorised Representative of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, Valeria Lutkovska, has submitted a petition to the Minister of Justice, Alexander Lavrinovich, regarding the cessation of operations of 'special forces' in penitentiary institutions

Ombudsman Wants to Expel ‘Special Forces’ from Pre-Trial Detention Centres

Within the structure of the State Penitentiary Service, special purpose units are operating without a proper regulatory and legal framework.

Maria Alyokhina: I Was Disciplined for Invoking Article 51 of the Constitution

Alexander Podrabinek speaks with Maria Alyokhina, one of the members of the group Pussy Riot, who is currently incarcerated. Maria Alyokhina talks about the conditions of her detention in the penal colony.

Italy found guilty of violating the rights of prisoners

The European Court of Human Rights has found the Italian authorities guilty of violating prisoners' rights, noting that prisons in the country are overcrowded

China plans to reform its labour camp system

The Chinese government will present a draft reform of the system of detention in labour camps without trial in March 2013

CPT Report on the 2011 Visit to Ukraine (Excerpt) and the Government’s Response

Report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture on its visit to Ukraine from 29 November to 6 December 2011 (excerpt regarding the visit to pre-trial detention centres) and the Government’s response

"Look: this is the SHIZO, here they beat and kill"

In the Trans-Baikal Territory (Russia), preparations are underway for the trial of employees of the Krasnokamensk colony accused of torture.

Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service requires reform, says ombudsman Lukin

The current reform of the Federal Penitentiary Service, according to Eduard Petrukhine, first deputy head of the service, was written without taking into account the opinions of human rights defenders, and he called for the reform to be corrected in the near future

Passportisation of persons convicted and released from places of detention

We appeal to public and charitable organisations with a request to share their experience and best practices for providing assistance in restoring passports and other documents.