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

When Ernest Hemingway was writing “The Old Man and the Sea”, he probably never imagined that maybe one day his book would become a way for a prisoner to shave three days off their jail time.

But now, an inmate in an Uzbek prison can reducing their sentence, after proving to a special committee that they have read the world famous book.

The country's senate has approved a law that allows detainees to shorten their sentences by reading. But there are certain rules: For every approved book completed, a prisoner may reduce his sentence by three days, up to a maximum of 30 days per year.

The measure does not apply to those serving life sentences, but according to officials, more than 13,500 inmates across the country could be affected.

File: An inmate takes a book from a prison library (File: An inmate takes a book from a prison library)

“We studied Brazil and Italy”

Shakhrizod Shokirov, an official at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, told Euronews that the country looked at international practices before adopting the reform.

“In Brazil, since 2012 inmates can reduce their sentence by four days for each book read — up to 48 days per year. Similar measures exist in Italy and Bolivia. Uzbekistan studied these outcomes and decided to adapt this practice to our legal system,” he said.

The system will be overseen by a special commission. After reading a book, inmates will take an exam to demonstrate they understood the content. The commission will include representatives of local councils, civil society, self-governing bodies and prison administrations. Only those who pass the exam will be eligible for a sentence reduction.

File: Jack London, photographed in 1916, is required reading for Uzbek prisoners. The American writer was the most highly paid and widely read author of his time (File: Jack London, photographed in 1916, is required reading for Uzbek prisoners. The American writer was the most highly paid and widely read author of his time)

What's on the required reading list?

Begmat Ochilov, a specialist at the Republican Center for Spirituality and Education, told Euronews that the book list was designed to cover a wide range of fields.

“Reading allows inmates to reflect on themselves and understand others. This has a direct effect on their moral education and helps prevent future crimes,” he said.

The official list includes both Uzbek works and international literary classics:

• Ernest Hemingway — The Old Man and the 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 in Uzbekistan

Lawyers and education experts in Uzbekistan have broadly welcomed the measure. Begmat Ochilov told Euronews the law could motivate prisoners to “spend their time learning instead of idleness.” 

Officials say the law reflects a shift in Uzbekistan’s justice system towards rehabilitation and education. But they also underline that consistent implementation will be key to its success.