Uzbekistan formalizes sentence cuts for prisoners who read literature

Amendments and additions have been introduced to a number of legislative acts that provide for reducing the sentences of inmates who have embarked on the path of rehabilitation.

Under the additions, a sentence reduction for reading books may be applied to individuals who are eligible for conditional early release before completing their full term of imprisonment.

In such cases, a special commission must confirm the fact that an inmate has read books included on an officially approved list of literature aimed at forming proper moral and ethical values, in accordance with the established procedure.

The prison term may be reduced by three days for each book read, but by no more than 30 days within a single year.

The verification of whether books have been read is carried out, based on an inmate’s application, by a commission composed of employees of the penal enforcement institution and representatives of the public. Commission meetings are held at least twice a year.

Based on the examination results, the commission adopts a conclusion confirming the fact that the inmate has read the books. A copy of the conclusion is sent to the prosecutor, handed to the inmate against signature, and, at the inmate’s request, provided to their defense counsel.

If a conclusion confirming the fact that books have been read is adopted, the administration of the institution submits a petition to the court to reduce the inmate’s sentence due to their having embarked on the path of rehabilitation.

Subsequently, the reduction of the sentence due to the inmate’s rehabilitation is carried out on the basis of a court decision.

It should be recalled that this draft law was approved by the Senate in September last year.