Moscow Plans to Create ‘Hybrid Colonies’ Where Those in Preliminary Detention will Be Held Alongside Those Already Sentenced to Various Kinds of Prisons and Camps

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Feb. 25 – To save money now being spent on moving those behind bars from one kind of detention facility to another, Moscow is planning to create “hybrid” incarceration facilities which will include those being held for trial and not yet convicted and those serving time in various kinds of penal institutions from general to strict regime.

            The Government Commission on Legislation has approved a justice ministry proposal to create places where detainees and convicted prisoners will be held at the same place but under different conditions, a practice that will reduce the amount of money spent on moving prisoners about (holod.media/2024/02/26/gibridnye-kolonii/).

            Initially, there will be three such locations near major cities; but if they work out as planned, the system will be extended to the entire country. While it will save money in transport, critics say, it will simultaneously make it more difficult of relatives and lawyers to visit some prisoners and further reduce the distinction between pre-trial detainees and convicts.