Private prisons may appear in Russia. However, it is unlikely to happen tomorrow, and the number of such prisons is not going to be big. Just a few regions will be involved in the project first. The idea was put forward by a group of Russian senators.
The proposal has already gained popularity in the Federation Council. Senator Yevgeny Tarlo thinks imprisonment should be more humane and private jails can mark the first step in this direction. Another crucial moment here is that huge budget sums have been spent on state-run prisons, while private detention centers would require less budget expenses.
Now Russian prisons can hardly be described as comfortable. And the major obstacle for the situation to get changed is a public belief that prison is the place where people should feel bad. Thus, any proposals to improve living conditions in prisons could have hardly been accepted until recently.
Those who support the idea refer to the penitentiary system in Europe, where a private prison is a place in which individuals are physically confined or interned by a third party that is contracted by a local, state or federal government agency. Private prison companies usually sign contracts with federal governments. If a contract is not fulfilled, the authorities start looking for another company.
A member of Public Chamber of Russia and a director of the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights, Alexander Brod, this system still has some drawbacks...
"I think we should first discuss all the pros and cons of private prisons with lawyers and psychologists. And it is also very important not to let private jails turn into shady business. And the personnel hired must avoid any violations there".
Lawmakers say it is necessary to discuss all the details concerning the issue and launch an experiment in just one or two Russian regions. Then, probably, private prisons will mark a first step to the humanization of Russia's penitentiary system.
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