Digital literacy and rehabilitation: Uzbekistan to train 18-30 year old prisoners in tech

The project is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Technologies, the Vocational Education Agency, and the Youth Affairs Agency. It targets young individuals convicted of crimes that do not pose a significant public danger, as well as those who committed less grave or grave offenses. However, individuals who committed crimes specifically through the use of information technology are excluded from the program.

Under the "Second Chance" initiative, inmates will undergo intensive 8-12 month training programs. Beyond learning modern digital professions, participants will also study foreign languages, including English, Russian, and Chinese. A specialized working group will assess the interests and talents of the inmates to form study groups accordingly, and those who successfully complete the courses will receive electronic certificates.

The rollout of the project will occur in stages. It is scheduled to launch on June 1, 2026, in the Tashkent, Navoi, and Kashkadarya regions. By March 1, 2027, the program will gradually expand to cover all other regions of the republic.

The financing for the project relies on a private-public partnership model. Unicon-Soft, a major IT company, will cover the primary costs, including the supply of computer equipment, electronic boards, furniture, and educational literature, as well as the salaries of the teaching staff. Meanwhile, the Digital Technology Development Fund will finance internet access, and the correctional facilities themselves will handle the maintenance and utility costs of the training centers.

To ensure long-term success, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will work with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Employment to help certified graduates find work both during the remainder of their sentence and following their release. Social protection agencies will also be involved to study the housing and social needs of released youth to provide necessary support during their transition back into the community.

This move follows previous announcements by the President regarding expanded educational opportunities for incarcerated women, including vocational training and remote higher education. The Minister of Internal Affairs has been designated as the official responsible for the execution of this latest decree, with oversight from the Prime Minister and the Presidential Administration.