Prisoners’ sentences will be reduced for reading books

In Uzbekistan, it has been established that for each book read, prisoners’ sentences will be reduced by three days. This was announced today, September 4, at the tenth plenary session of the Senate during the discussion of the law “on amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan".

According to the report, the law is aimed at increasing the effectiveness of educational work with inmates serving their sentences in correctional facilities, preventing their isolation from family and society, and encouraging reading as a way to instill respect for the law as well as moral and ethical values.

The law introduces amendments and additions to Uzbekistan’s Criminal, Criminal Procedure, and Penal Codes, providing for the reduction of prison sentences if inmates demonstrate rehabilitation. In particular, the Criminal Code is being supplemented with Article 74-1, which stipulates the reduction of a sentence for inmates who show signs of reformation.

Under this provision, if prisoners read books from the list approved by the Republican center for spirituality and enlightenment, aimed at fostering proper moral and ethical values, and the fact of their reading is confirmed, their sentence may be reduced by three days for each book. However, the reduction cannot exceed thirty days per year, and it will be applied by a court decision based on the recommendation of a commission.

This measure will apply only to individuals eligible for conditional early release, excluding those sentenced to life imprisonment.

The amendments are expected to affect more than 13,500 inmates currently serving their sentences in correctional institutions.

The law was approved by senators.

It is worth noting that the Legislative chamber of the Oliy Majlis discussed this draft law and adopted it in the first reading in February of this year.