Uzbekistan holds 68 prisoners per 100,000 people

Currently, Uzbekistan has a prison population of 68 per 100,000 residents, one of the lowest rates among Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, according to Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center of Uzbekistan for Human Rights. Saidov shared this statistic during an event titled “Gender-Sensitive Penitentiary Management Strategies: Best Practices and Key Challenges” held in Tashkent on October 31.

Saidov highlighted that this achievement reflects recent reforms aimed at protecting human rights and strengthening the rule of law. As part of these efforts, Uzbekistan closed four outdated penal colonies, including the infamous "Tashturma" and "Jasliq" facilities. Additionally, probation programs were introduced on January 1, 2019, to facilitate the reintegration of convicted individuals into society.

Burhonkhoja Akromov, an inspector with the Ministry of Internal Affairs Department of Punishment, reported that 69 separate consultation rooms for attorneys have been set up in detention centers and correctional facilities.

The Ombudsman and Business Ombudsman now have unrestricted access to these facilities, ensuring oversight and support for inmates.

In related news, several Uzbek convicts recently escaped from a penal colony in the Lipetsk region of Russia by digging a tunnel. Russian authorities from the Federal Penitentiary Service discovered the escape when they noticed the tunnel and subsequently conducted a headcount, revealing that six inmates were missing.