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

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

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.

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.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, 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