Can Russia be out of the world prison leader race at the beginning of the
XXI century
A historical event, unnoticed by journalists and experts,
took place in the Summer of 2000: Russia let the USA enjoy the world leadership
in the relative number of prisoners (per 100 thousand people). I would like to
remind you that regarding this index Russia has been a true and customary leader
since the time of Stalin GULAG (concentration camps for political prisoners).
The total number of prisoners of penitentiary institutions in
Russia decreased by 117 thousand during the last 4 months. The number of
prisoners reduced at the same rate in 87-88 at M.Gorbochev’s time.
The most important is: The number of inmates detained in
Investigation Isolators reduced by 54 thousand people, at present time only 226
thousand detainees are kept there.
This is the lowest figure during the last seven years! It is
common knowledge that the living conditions of prisoners because of overcrowded
cells at most institutions are equaled to torture.
Now there are 655 prisoners per 100 thousand people in Russia
(over 700 in the USA). If the RF Ministry of Justice programme on the reduction
of prisoners is realized, already by 2002 the number of prisoners in Russia will
reduce by 400 (per 100 thousand people).
I hope that by 2007 our country will have all chances to
reach the number of prisoners in European countries. Is it possible that these
chances are realized? The answer is important not only for Russia but for the
rest of the world as well: Russia’s example can help other prison leaders
(mainly in the US and some former soviet republics) overcome prison syndrome and
stop war against the nations.
Russia lets the USA be the prison leader
According to the information received by our Center
from The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Justice (further GUIN) the total
number of prisoners, detained in penitentiary institutions comprised 912
thousand people or 630 per 100 thousand by 1 December 2000. Referring to the
figures presented by famous Norwegian criminologist Nils Christy in the USA this
figure comprised 725 people in 2000 and continues increasing.
The most important: the number of detainees at Russian Investigation
Isolators has reduced since the Spring of this year by 54 thousand people.
Taking into account minimum required space per prisoner at Investigation
Isolators (4 sq.m) we must acknowledge that they are 1,6 times overcrowded ( in
spring - more than twice).
Russian Investigation Isolators have turned into Institutions of torture
since 1992. Cells remind murder chambers: in big cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg,
Ekaterinburg, etc.) there is 0,5 sq.m of dwelling space and 0,2 sq.m of space
not occupied by equipment (beds, toilet) and personal belongings per one
prisoner. Both UN, EU experts and our top officials assume: living conditions at
Investigation Isolators should be qualified as torture. Every summer cases of
mass faints from lack of oxygen happen in cells, people die in
cells from asphyxia. Last year 2.5 thousand prisoners deceased prior to
custodial sentences. The majority of deaths happened because of unbearable
conditions in the cells.
Now the number of prisoners at Investigation Isolators comprises 228,2
thousand. This is the lowest figure for the last 7 years. In May the number of
prisoners at Investigation Isolators exceeded 280 thousand. All the prisoners of
such a great European country as France (54 thousand) make this difference. But
even after deducting the number of French prisoners, living conditions at most
Investigation Isolators in Russia still remain unbearable and can be qualified
as torture.
Let us remember that hundreds of rescued human lives, thousands of prisoners
who did not get tuberculosis, prisoners who did not become cripples are behind
these bare figures.
Why did the number of prisoners decrease?
Amnesty, declared by the State Duma in May 26 this year, is considered to be
the main reason of the reduction of the number of prisoners. 222 thousand
prisoners were released from penitentiary institutions by December 1 (40
thousand – from Investigation Isolators). According to preliminary estimation
120 thousand prisoners were expected to undergo amnesty.
However, it is not only the matter of amnesty. During previous years, despite
annual amnesties, the number of prisoners remained the same or even increased.
This year GUIN administration did everything possible to have the number of
people entering prisons not only the same but less and the number of people
leaving prison more. According to the opinion of Pre-trial detention department
of GUIN, investigators and prosecutors who are in charge of sanctioning
Pre-trial detention very seldom apply this measure of restraint. Mainly, the
reduction of arrests is the result of the government’s concern about living
conditions at Investigation Isolators. It was late last year when Vladimir
Putin, Prime Minister at that time had two conference calls with governors,
heads of regional prosecutor’s offices, directorate of interior affairs,
Justice and other departments. Putin called on regional leaders to do everything
in their power to unload Investigation Isolators. There was immediate result in
a number of regions: in November 1999 the measure of restraint, not related to
imprisonment, was changed to 4 thousand people detained at Investigation
Isolators.
The reduction of prisoners could be much more substantial if
not for the judges still delaying the consideration of criminal cases. At
present time over 60% of detainees at Investigation Isolators are people on
trial.
Besides, GUIN has opened special local Investigation Isolators at 166
colonies, mainly for the accused awaiting the enforcement of the verdict. It is
not as difficult to serve there as at ordinary Investigation Isolators: 7-10
thousand people occupied the area intended for 16 thousand people.
GUIN administration at the Ministry of Justice does
everything possible to get rid of extra prisoners, as it cannot afford it. They
use release on probation Institution. For example in Murmansk region over 70% of
prisoners are released on probation.
Another figure: during 9 months of last year Presidential
Committee in charge of Remission issue (headed by famous Russian writer Anatoli
Pristavkin) released or shortened custodial sentences to 12,5 thousand prisoners
.
Annotations:
1 - The relative
number of prisoners in the USA did not exceed 150 people in1985. “The prison
boom” that began later nearly made the USA the world leader in 1990. But
exactly at that time the number of prisoners that decreased Russia at Gorbochev
time began to increase so fast , that the Americans were easily left behind. It
was not a problem to be left behind. So easy. European countries are not used to
stuffing (pushing) prisoners into a barrel like herring, they have to construct
new prisons. And it demands both a great amount of money and time.
2 - The most famous
is “Novokuznetsk tragedy”, broadcasted widely by Russian and Foreign mass
media. Early in July of 1995 in Novokuznetsk Investigation Isolator 11 people
died at a time from lack of oxygen, dozens of prisoners in critical situation
were placed in intensive therapy units.. Hundreds of prisoners protesting
against the living conditions cut veins. But “Novokuznetsk tragedy” was not
an exception, According to head of GUIN U.I Kalinin “Cases of deaths from lack
of oxygen took place practically at all big Isolators of Russia…”.
