Mr Putin and Mr Chaika discussed current issues related to the penal system in Russia.
The President stressed that in Russia, about 1 million people are serving prison sentences, which puts the country among the nations with the highest percentage of prisoners.
According to Mr Chaika, much has been done in the last four years. The international community praised these changes. In particular, during the last two years, the number of prisoners was reduced by 300,000 people. The Justice Ministry also had great hopes for the amendments to the legislation related to the easing of laws, which had been introduced to the State Duma.
Mr Putin stressed that this did not mean easing punishment for those who committed violent crimes, but rather for those who committed misdemeanors.