Agreements Signed with Probationers: 165 in Total
Going Deeper: Probation in Action
The lively and down-to-earth Deputy Chief of the FSIN, Svetlana Serebryakova sheds light on the practical application of probation programs in the frigid territories of Yakutia.
Svetlana, the intriguing institution of probation—designed to assist ex-cons as they rejoin society after serving their sentences—has made its debut in Russia. What is it all about?
Probation is a comprehensive suite of aids aimed at bolstering ex-cons and those on the outside looking in, offering assistance in multiple spheres. It works in three dimensions: for those serving time, those under supervision, and post-incarceration individuals. In Yakutia, this multi-faceted endeavor commenced in 2024 for penal and executive probation, followed by post-incarceration probation in the following year.
Official organizations, such as the FSIN, regional authorities, employment services, and social service providers take the lead in supporting the resocialization, adaptation, and rehabilitation of individuals, with an added warmth from NGOs, religious groups, and neighborhood associations, based on individual agreements. In Yakutia, around 165 contracts have been signed among these entities.
The FSIN serves as the coordinator, orchestrating the collective efforts of probation entities in the region, maintaining an active dialogue with key departments like the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, Education, Health, and Employment Services in Yakutia. Fruitful collaborations with human rights organizations as well as the Human Rights Commissioner in the region have brought about positive outcomes too.
Now, let's talk about the intriguing "Unified Registry of Persons Subject to Probation".
This innovative system, introduced in 2025, stores information about the individual programs and needs of those undergoing probation measures. It even links to the portal of state services in the nation, empowering those under supervision as well as those serving sentences through forced labor to make applications for probation online using the Gosuslugi portal or the official FСИN Russia website.
For those lacking computational skills, a straightforward, paper-based method is available to allow for equal access. Whenever probation aids are requested, it isbased on individual need and thorough examination of the situation. In Yakutia, over 85% of applicants have been granted assistance. The majority of these requests relate to employment and social/legal support.
What if an ex-con struggles with the technicalities of digital applications?
No worries! Individuals outside the walls can still approach staff for paper-based applications.
Assistance under probation's wide umbrella encompasses virtually any issue, whether it is employment needs, document recovery, or countless other concerns. Probation assistance is approved or denied depending on individual requirements, post-application evaluation, and development of an appropriate aid plan.
Managing a rocky life situation? Reach out to the FSIN for help!
In Yakutia, around 400 applications have been filed since the start of 2025, with over 85% of them approving assistance. Some standout examples illustrate the profound impact of probation programs:
- Convict B. in Yakutsk found rehabilitation after undergoing diagnostic tests and treatment, restoring documents, and being referred for a medical-social examination, subsequently being issued a disability certificate.
- In the same city, state social assistance was approved for S., released from corrective colony, based on a social contract under the "Reliable Step" package.
- Three convicts in desperate need of work discovered they could chase their dreams with the help of probation after graduating from the Yakutsk Industrial Technical School, embarking on rewarding careers as arc welders.
Given the continual support of probation entities, law-abiding behavior thrives among ex-cons, with reoffending kept at bay. For those interested in making a profound difference, consider career opportunities within the Federal Penitentiary Service in probation-related positions—a challenging yet fulfilling endeavor for those with legal, pedagogical, or social specialties!
- The multi-faceted endeavor of probation in Yakutia, coordinated by the FSIN, extends its reach to the realm of health and wellness, facilitating access to various resources that cater to the individual needs of ex-cons.
- In addition to employment and social support, the wide umbrella of probation assistance in Yakutia encompasses medical and health-related concerns, making strides in the science of rehabilitation and integration of ex-cons into society.
