The number of people in Russian correctional facilities has fallen to the lowest level since the collapse of the USSR, said the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN), reported TASS.
As of March 1, FSIN had 626,000 registered convicts, including 48,918 women. In addition, there are 417,450 serving punishment at home, and 107,000 more are in pre-trial detention as of the beginning of this year.
"In 2016, we registered the lowest number of convicts in the Russian Federation's recent history," FSIN said.
According to the International Center for Prison Studies, Russia ranks 10th in incarceration with 450 convicts per 100,000 people. The U.S. is in second place with 2.2 million convicts (693 per 100,000 people).