Currently, the colony holds 1,102 prisoners.
One of the main problems is the overcrowding of the institution: the living space norm per prisoner is significantly below the established standard. According to Article 99 of the Criminal Executive Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, there should be at least two square meters per prisoner. However, in institution No. 27, the average area is only 1.6 square meters per person.
Representatives of the center for the prevention of torture and monitoring of human rights compliance inspected the barrack facilities, which consist of two rooms. In the first building, one room with an area of 16.5 square meters accommodates 10 prisoners, while the other room with an area of 23.1 square meters holds 14 people. In the second building, 15 prisoners live in a room measuring 26.4 square meters, and in another room, 10 people occupy an area of 16.5 square meters.
It is important to note that until 2023, this institution was designed for 750 places, but in 2026, the limit was increased to 2,000 places, although no new living spaces were constructed. Legislation establishes maximum occupancy standards for the colony based on the actual area of living quarters.
The Ombudsman Institute sent recommendations to the State Penitentiary Service to increase the living space in institution No. 27 in accordance with legal requirements.
During the monitoring process, the institute's staff conducted conversations with the prisoners, during which three statements were received.
One of the prisoners, a German citizen serving a 5-year sentence under Article 322 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, requested that the German embassy be informed of his whereabouts in the colony.
Another prisoner requested assistance in obtaining a pardon. He reported that in December 2025, he had already submitted a corresponding petition but was denied.
The staff of the Ombudsman Institute provided him with legal consultations on the pardon procedure, explaining that a repeated petition can be submitted after serving half of the sentence, and in the absence of new circumstances—one year after the denial of the previous petition.
