Getting out early: parole, a lighter sentence, pardon

• Parole is possible after serving 1/3 of the term for minor and medium offences, 1/2 for grave, 2/3 for especially grave; later for some articles.
• The prisoner or lawyer applies, usually via the administration. The court looks at the colony's assessment, penalties and compensation paid. Political prisoners are often given penalties that block parole.
• Other routes: replacing the remaining term with a lighter sentence (art. 80 CC); release on serious illness under art. 81 CC (see the note on medical care).
• Pardon: the prisoner writes the petition to the president; the law does not require admitting guilt. A commission reviews it within 30 days; refusal can't be appealed, and you can reapply after a year.
• Where to turn: Prison Lawyer, Solidarity Zone, Memorial.

Designations of organisations in this guide: Memorial Human Rights Defence Centre (extremist, on Rosfinmonitoring list); Memorial Political Prisoners Support (extremist, on Rosfinmonitoring list). Contacting them carries a risk: do not write from a phone that may be seized, and do not repost their materials.

current as of 25 September 2026. More: First Department: parole (foreign agent); First Department: how pardons work (foreign agent)