Someone close is in prison

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• 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 speeds things up.
• 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 September 25. More: OVD-Info: how prison healthcare ruins prisoners' health (extremist); Criminal Code, art. 81 (ConsultantPlus)

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• 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 September 25. 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)

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• 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 usually helps.
• Where to turn: Prison Lawyer, Solidarity Zone, First Department.

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

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• 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.
• Publicity makes pressure harder to hide. Where to turn: Public Verdict, Committee Against Torture team, Prison Lawyer.

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

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• 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 September 25. More: First Department: a relative died in custody (foreign agent)

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• 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.

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

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• In 2024 the Constitutional Court confirmed that sending money to someone charged under a 'terrorism' article can count as financing terrorism if the sender knew what the money was for.
• Rights groups advise helping through organisations — Solidarity Zone, Memorial Political Prisoners Support, Freedom Zone — and checking their designation before donating.
• Transfers to relatives are visible to banks. Don't send money to 'banned' organisations or people linked to them: the risk also falls on the recipient in Russia.
• In letters to pre-trial detention or a colony, don't write about politics, the case or third parties: censors read everything. Letters to political prisoners can be sent via RosUznik.
• If you are put on the 284-FZ register, dependent relatives can receive a payment from your frozen funds.

current as of September 25. More: Advokatskaya Gazeta: Constitutional Court on transfers; Mediazona: cases over donations to FBK (foreign agent); RosUznik

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• Anxiety, sleeplessness and burnout after a search, a loved one's arrest or years of activism are common reactions. Human rights groups advise not waiting until things get really bad.
• It is better to turn to projects that work with activists and people facing persecution: you don't have to explain the context, and it is safer than telling a random therapist about your views.
• You can get a session anonymously and by text. You don't have to give your name or the details of your case.
• Families of political prisoners need support too: they burn out just as often as activists do.
• Where to turn: First Line (@FirstLineHelpBot), Nora's psychological service (@nora_psyhelp_bot), and Sphere for LGBTQ+ people.

current as of September 25. More: First Line; Nora

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• On release day, make sure you get your release certificate, passport, money from your prison account and medical records. If administrative supervision was imposed, check the restrictions and reporting dates.
• After 'terrorism' and 'extremism' convictions supervision is common: reporting to police, night curfews, no travel without permission. Violations can lead to a new case (art. 314.1 CC).
• Many remain on the Rosfinmonitoring list: banks block transactions; the law allows receiving wages and pensions and spending up to 10,000 roubles a month.
• Since 2025 post-release probation exists: on a written request to the colony or probation office you can get help with documents, housing, work and medical care.
• If you're thinking of leaving: a conviction, supervision or the list can block exit — get advice before heading for the border. Solidarity Zone, Memorial and First Department help; psychologists: First Line.

current as of September 25. More: First Department: life after prison — probation (foreign agent); First Department: the list of 'terrorists and extremists' (foreign agent)

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• The ECHR only accepts complaints about violations before 16 September 2022. Russia doesn't currently comply with its judgments, but they put violations on record.
• For later violations there's the UN Human Rights Committee: you must go through four instances (first, appeal, two cassations), the filing deadline is 5 years, and registration takes about a year.
• In February 2026 the Supreme Court called the UN Committee's interim measures non-binding — but not its final decisions. Human rights groups say complaints are still worth filing.
• It's best to prepare with a lawyer from the start: violations must be raised in Russian courts first, or the UN may not consider them.
• Where to turn: Memorial, the Institute for Law and Public Policy, First Department.

current as of September 25. More: OVD-Info: the ECHR now and the alternatives (extremist); First Department: the Supreme Court and UN Committee decisions (foreign agent)