Ukraine is considering a proposal to recruit up to 20,000 convicts to serve in the military, as a way to replenish the ranks of the Armed Forces amid the ongoing war with Russia. The bill, which was passed by Ukraine’s parliament, would allow those convicted of certain offenses to serve in the military, with the aim of freeing up 50,000 recruits who have already completed their sentences or are currently imprisoned. Justice Minister Denys Maliuska supported the bill, but emphasized that it is ultimately up to the Armed Forces to determine who is suitable for service. Maliuska estimated that Ukraine could recruit 10,000 to 20,000 convicts for military service, while acknowledging similarities to Russia’s policy of recruiting prisoners for military purposes.
Recruiting convicts could also help address the issue of overcrowding in Ukrainian prisons, according to Maliuska. The number of inmates per prison has increased significantly since the start of the full-scale invasion, with pre-trial detention centers facing the most overcrowding. This increase in overcrowding can be attributed to factors such as the evacuation of inmates from front-line regions, the presence of prisons in territories under Russian occupation, and the rise in war-related crimes. Maliuska highlighted the need to mobilize prisoners and convicts in order to avoid violating regulations on the number of individuals per a certain area, especially as the population of inmates continues to grow.
Justice Minister Maliuska noted that while there are parallels between Ukraine’s proposal to recruit convicts and Russia’s policy of using prisoners for military purposes, there are differences in approaches between the two countries. In Russia, prisoners who survived combat had their convictions pardoned upon completion, whereas in Ukraine, the focus is on voluntary mobilization and service in the military. Maliuska emphasized the importance of not deceiving oneself about these parallels, but also highlighted the need for different approaches in implementing such policies. Ultimately, the recruitment of convicts for military service in Ukraine is intended to address the urgent need for personnel in the Armed Forces amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The proposal to recruit convicts for military service in Ukraine also aims to address the challenges posed by the increase in war-related crimes, including collaboration with Russia and the circulation of firearms among the general population. Maliuska pointed out that the number of crimes related to firearms has risen, leading to overcrowding in prisons and detention centers. By mobilizing prisoners and convicts for military service, the Ukrainian government hopes to not only address the issue of overcrowding in prisons but also provide an opportunity for individuals to serve their country and contribute to the ongoing conflict with Russia. The bill allowing convicts to serve in the military represents a unique approach to addressing both the military and social challenges facing Ukraine amid the war.
