Reading for release: Uzbekistan to free prisoners early if they finish chosen books

By&nbspSarvinoz Ibrokhimova

Published on 13/09/2025 - 10:58 GMT+2

When Ernest Hemingway was penning “The Old Man and nan Sea”, he astir apt ne'er imagined that possibly 1 time his book would go a measurement for a prisoner to shave 3 days disconnected their jailhouse time.

But now, an inmate successful an Uzbek situation tin reducing their sentence, aft proving to a typical committee that they person publication nan world celebrated book.

The country's legislature has approved a rule that allows detainees to shorten their sentences by reading. But location are definite rules: For each approved book completed, a captive whitethorn trim his condemnation by 3 days, up to a maximum of 30 days per year.

The measurement does not use to those serving life sentences, but according to officials, much than 13,500 inmates crossed nan state could beryllium affected.

“We studied Brazil and Italy”

Shakhrizod Shokirov, an charismatic astatine nan Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, told Euronews that nan state looked astatine world practices earlier adopting nan reform.

“In Brazil, since 2012 inmates tin trim their condemnation by 4 days for each book publication — up to 48 days per year. Similar measures beryllium successful Italy and Bolivia. Uzbekistan studied these outcomes and decided to accommodate this believe to our ineligible system,” he said.

The strategy will beryllium overseen by a typical commission. After reference a book, inmates will return an exam to show they understood nan content. The committee will see representatives of section councils, civilian society, self-governing bodies and situation administrations. Only those who walk nan exam will beryllium eligible for a condemnation reduction.

What's connected nan required reference list?

Begmat Ochilov, a master astatine nan Republican Center for Spirituality and Education, told Euronews that nan book database was designed to screen a wide scope of fields.

“Reading allows inmates to bespeak connected themselves and understand others. This has a nonstop effect connected their civilized acquisition and helps forestall early crimes,” he said.

The charismatic database includes some Uzbek useful and world literate classics:

• Ernest Hemingway — The Old Man and nan Sea
• Karl von Clausewitz — On War
• Theodore Dreiser — An American Tragedy
• Erich Maria Remarque — Three Comrades
• Ray Bradbury — Fahrenheit 451
• Franz Kafka — The Trial
• Jack London — Martin Eden
• Abdulla Qodiriy — O‘tkan kunlar 
• The Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan
• The Book of Leaders

Reactions successful Uzbekistan

Lawyers and acquisition experts successful Uzbekistan person broadly welcomed nan measure. Begmat Ochilov told Euronews nan rule could motivate prisoners to “spend their clip learning alternatively of idleness.” 

Officials opportunity nan rule reflects a displacement successful Uzbekistan’s justness strategy towards rehabilitation and education. But they besides underline that accordant implementation will beryllium cardinal to its success.