The Ministry of Justice is working on establishing official clergy positions in all correctional facilities across Russia, announced Justice Minister Konstantin Chuychenko during a speech in the Federation Council.

Chuychenko recalled that the ministry had previously submitted a draft law to the government proposing the introduction of positions for assistant prison wardens responsible for working with religious inmates. These positions are intended for clergy from Russia's traditional religions, tailored to regional specifics. The new initiative aims to expand this practice.

According to Chuychenko, efforts are underway to implement similar positions in prisons and penal colonies. The goal of these innovations is to reduce recidivism rates and help offenders reform.

The Synodal Department for Prison Ministry of the Russian Orthodox Church noted that in almost all regions, clergy have already been identified for these new roles, and the process of their approval and appointment is ongoing. The department added that "the presence of a full-time priest in pre-trial detention centers will help prevent suicides among suspects and accused persons, enhance spiritual and educational work with prison staff, and generally improve the spiritual atmosphere in the institution."

Currently, over a thousand priests serve in the penal system institutions, according to acting chairman of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry, Father Kirill Markovsky. Nearly every Russian prison has chapels and prayer rooms, but there is a shortage of prison priests, Father Kirill noted. He expressed optimism that this issue will be resolved over time.