A kind of gift for the Day of International Solidarity of All Workers was supported by 72 deputies. The authorities expect to increase the share of working prisoners from the current 18-19% to 25% by the end of 2027 and to 40% by 2030. Currently, the level of prisoners who benefit society is not comparable to 50-80% in European countries.
The discussion of the law in parliament was accompanied by criticism from the opposition – for example, Adrian Doumentiuk noted that the effective system of prison enterprises was destroyed earlier and now it has to be rebuilt almost from scratch.
It is planned to solve the problem of prisoners’ employment by subsidizing businesses, providing prisoners with social guarantees, and temporarily leaving prison to work under electronic surveillance.
Prisoners are planned to be recruited in sectors with the greatest shortage of personnel. The main emphasis is placed on sectors where both in-colony labor (in specially created workshops) and outreach work is possible. Agriculture is a priority. Inmates will be involved in seasonal work in agricultural enterprises, in the production of clothing and footwear inside prisons, in construction and housing and utilities.
How the money in a prisoner’s account is distributed
Businesses can contract directly with prison administrations, which guarantees businesses a stable labor force and prisoners a payment that can exceed the legal threshold of 50% of the “minimum wage”. But the financial flows and distribution of prisoners’ earnings are now clearly regulated.
The main feature of the new system is the division of earned money into several target categories – personal use (50%), compensation for damage caused at the hands of the prisoner, including alimony (25-30%), savings fund, or “lifting” capital for future freedom (20%) and – optionally – expenses for maintenance, housing and utilities, etc..
The draft will be considered in the second reading.
