October 07, 2024

More Money for Penal Colonies


More Money for Penal Colonies
A friendly member of the Russian prison administration. The Russian Life files

In 2025, Russia will see a sharp rise in spending on the Federal Penitentiary Service, according to an analysis of the draft budget for 2025–2027 by independent media outlet The Insider.

The budget for the department will increase by R24 billion (approximately $250 million) compared to 2024, totaling R422 billion ($4.4 billion). In the 2023 budget, the spending was initially planned to be reduced to R307 billion ($3.3 billion).

In 2025, social expenses for the Federal Penitentiary Service will rise by R12 billion ($125.5 million), pension payments by R11 billion ($115 million), and health care expenses by R4 billion ($41.8 million).

A significant portion of the budget is allocated to the federal program for the "development of the penal system." In 2025, R2.2 billion ($23 million) will be spent on this program, with the budget increasing to R15 billion ($157 million) in 2026 and R21 billion ($220 million) in 2027. That's a 10-fold increase (not accounting for inflation) over the next three years.

Anna Karetnikova, a former lead analyst for the Federal Penitentiary Service in Moscow, suggested the rise in spending is linked to the construction of "supercolonies"— large complexes that will include settlements, correctional centers, pretrial detention facilities, and colonies of different security levels. These supercolonies are planned for 29 Russian regions.

Each supercolony can hold 3,000 people (for context, at the end of 2023, Russia had approximately 250,000 prisoners). The Ministry of Justice believes building these facilities will reduce costs related to transporting prisoners, as pretrial detention centers and colonies will be located closer together.

“The idea is questionable," Karetnikova told The Insider. "All textbooks on penitentiary law suggest a good size for a pretrial detention center is a maximum of 1,000 people, beyond which control is quickly lost."

Plans for the construction of supercolonies have already been proposed in Ulan-Ude, Chita, and Kaluga. In Kaluga, the proposed location near the village of Zherelo has sparked protests from residents who are concerned about living near such a large number of prisoners. Similar protests have occurred in Ulan-Ude, where the construction will also require the cutting down of 80 hectares of forest.

Karetnikova believes the supercolonies are a way to justify the funding increase, which will likely instead go towards corrupt ends. “The Federal Penitentiary Service is a black hole, and they need some excuse to get money. I think they came up with the idea of supercolonies just to continue receiving funding,” she said.

You Might Also Like

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

White Magic
June 01, 2021

White Magic

The thirteen tales in this volume – all written by Russian émigrés, writers who fled their native country in the early twentieth century – contain a fair dose of magic and mysticism, of terror and the supernatural. There are Petersburg revenants, grief-stricken avengers, Lithuanian vampires, flying skeletons, murders and duels, and even a ghostly Edgar Allen Poe.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955