The Justice Minister stated that in the first six months of 2010, he has seen a nearly 20 percent decrease in the number of individuals held in detention facilities before their trials.
Furthermore, Mr Konovalov told the President about the work on the concept of Russia’s penitentiary service development, which contemplates among other things the introduction of new types of punishment, leaning substantially toward so-called alternative measures that do not involve isolation from society.
The President instructed the Justice Minister to prepare suggestions on amending criminal procedure legislation in order to encourage investigative authorities not to use pre-trial detention for suspects accused of minor offences.
The meeting also addressed the practice of applying the law, which significantly broadens the options for posting bail. The President noted that currently, the law allows bail petitions to be made by any third party – not just relatives or attorneys.
Also, Alexander Konovalov briefed Dmitry Medvedev about the plans to reorganise the medical services in the penitentiary system.