Serving time in open prison is tantamount to slavery

Many political prisoners (about 15–20%) are now placed in open prisons. One of the political prisoners spoke about life in open prison conditions.

Convicts live in buildings similar to dormitories that they have to pay for. They are under the supervision and must follow internal regulations and work at certain enterprises. And, as a rule, it is work that is difficult and harmful to their health. People are forced to work 12 hours a day, six days a week for a lower salary than regular employees. They are not allowed to quit.

Regardless of their behavior, political prisoners are put on preventive records as individuals prone to extremism and other destructive activities and are marked with yellow tags. People marked with yellow tags must report to the commandant’s office every hour by giving their last name and declaring that they are prone to extremism and destructive actions aloud. They cannot even go out to get medicine without being accompanied by prison staff. The administration uses these procedures to put additional pressure on political prisoners.