Kazakhstan advances digitalization of penitentiary system

Kazakhstan advances digitalization of penitentiary system

Kazakhstan is actively working on the digitalization of the penitentiary system. To date, more than 38,000 video surveillance cameras have been installed in correctional institutions to prevent offenses. This, in turn, will help protect the rights of convicts, as well as curb corruption and other types of crimes. A new provision in the draft law, recently enacted, criminalizes the intentional damage or destruction of these cameras. The experiences of the U.S., the UK, and Russia was taken into account before the introduction of this draft law.

«The system’s digitalization holds special significance. A program to implement video surveillance systems in institutions to prevent potential illegal actions by staff and inmates was completed last year at the instruction of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This allows the Committee of Criminally-Executive System and the General Prosecutor’s Office to promptly respond to any violations,» said Tenizzhan Dzhanibekov, chairman of the Criminally-Executive System Committee at the Kazakh Interior Ministry.