Someone close is in prison

• Human rights groups advise putting requests for medical care in writing to the head of the medical unit and pressing for a copy of the medical record: without documents, violations are hard to prove.
• If there is still no treatment, complaints go to the regional prison service, the prosecutor who oversees prisons and the health watchdog Roszdravnadzor. Publicity often helps, but sometimes the prisoner is punished for it. Decide together with the lawyer and, if possible, with the person themselves.
• A seriously ill prisoner can be released under art. 81 CC after a medical examination against the list of illnesses in Government Decree No. 54. A lawyer usually prepares the application.
• In urgent cases lawyers ask the UN Human Rights Committee for interim measures.
• Where to turn: Prison Lawyer, Public Verdict. Political prisoner support groups help with medicines and parcels.

current as of 25 September 2026. More: OVD-Info: how prison healthcare ruins prisoners' health (extremist); Criminal Code, art. 81 (ConsultantPlus)

• In SIZO, parcels are handed in at the window (with a passport) or via online services, up to 30 kg a month. Visits in SIZO need permission from the investigator or the court handling the case.
• In a colony the number of parcels depends on the regime: general (6 parcels and 6 small packets a year), strict (4), special (3); no limit in a settlement colony. Medicines don't count.
• Human rights groups advise not bringing your everyday phone to a visit and not wearing clothes with political symbols: devices can be seized and searched.
• If an item is refused, you can challenge it with the facility head and the prosecutor. Medicines go through a separate procedure via the medical unit.
• Where to turn: Prison Lawyer, Solidarity Zone; for women in prison and their families: Women's Term.

current as of 25 September 2026. More: First Department: the parcel window and deliveries (foreign agent); First Department: visiting SIZO or a colony safely (foreign agent); OVD-Info: parcels to SIZO and colonies (extremist)

• A transfer lasts from a few days to several months; people are usually held up to 20 days at each transit point. There is almost no contact during this time.
• Before the transfer: send food, water, warm clothes, stamped envelopes, reply forms and a sturdy bag.
• The colony must notify a relative within 10 days of the prisoner's arrival (art. 17 of the Penal Code). If you hear nothing, write to the SIZO they left from and to the prison service.
• If the person has 'disappeared', complain to the prosecutor, the regional prison directorate, the monitoring commission and the ombudsman. A lawyer can file inquiries. Publicity often helps, but sometimes the prisoner is punished for it. Decide together with the lawyer and, if possible, with the person themselves.
• Where to turn: Prison Lawyer, Solidarity Zone, First Department.

current as of 25 September 2026. More: First Department: key facts on prison transfers (foreign agent); First Department: political prisoners 'disappearing' in custody (foreign agent)

• A punishment cell (SHIZO): up to 15 days per placement; cell-type premises (PKT): up to 6 months (3 for women); EPKT: up to a year. Frequent penalties mean 'persistent offender' status and no parole.
• In SHIZO visits, calls and parcels are banned, so families often learn about it from the lawyer or letters. Human rights groups advise keeping the lawyer informed and writing regularly.
• A penalty can be challenged with the prosecutor overseeing prisons and in court; prison monitoring commission members can visit the prisoner.
• A hunger strike is declared in writing to the governor; the administration informs the prosecutor, doctors monitor daily, and force-feeding is possible if life is at risk. A dry hunger strike can be fatal. Only the prisoner decides whether to go on hunger strike. Don't try to talk them into it.
• Publicity makes pressure harder to hide, but sometimes the prisoner is punished for it. Decide together with the lawyer and, if possible, with the person themselves. Where to turn: Public Verdict, Committee Against Torture team, Prison Lawyer.

current as of 25 September 2026. More: First Department: SHIZO, PKT, EPKT (foreign agent); First Department: prisoners' hunger strikes (foreign agent)

• The administration must inform a close relative within 24 hours. The body is released on a written request to the facility head, usually within 2 days of the cause of death being established.
• The body is stored free for 7 days, up to 14 in difficult circumstances. A spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents or grandchildren can collect it; sometimes others arranging the funeral.
• If you suspect violence or denied treatment: file a crime report with the Investigative Committee. There is no forensic examination without a case. Keep letters, complaints and medical records.
• Belongings and money from the prison account go to the heirs. People without relatives, and foreigners not collected, are buried by the prison service. The grave number is recorded in the file.
• Where to turn: Public Verdict, Committee Against Torture team, First Department; psychological support: First Line.

current as of 25 September 2026. More: First Department: a relative died in custody (foreign agent)

• 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)