Kyrgyzstan correctional facilities expand production to serve external markets

The State Inspectorate for the Supervision of the Penal System (GSIN) in Kyrgyzstan is expanding industrial production within its correctional facilities to provide jobs for inmates and fulfill commercial orders.

Myraimbek Isaev, the Deputy Head of the Material and Technical Supply and Production Development Department of the GSIN, stated that the agency is attracting investors to create diverse production areas. These initiatives aim to meet internal needs while providing goods and services to external clients.

One facility in the village of Moldovanovka operates an auto repair shop where 14 inmates perform bodywork, painting, and dry cleaning. The state enterprise Kelechek manages these production and sales activities. The agency offers these services at lower prices than private shops in Bishkek; for instance, painting a car part costs between 2,500 and 3,000 soms at the facility compared to 8,000 soms in the capital. Other facilities are developing sewing workshops, furniture production, and welding areas.

A new sewing workshop currently employs 42 inmates, with plans to increase the workforce to 100. These workshops produce women's clothing for domestic and international markets, including Russia. The GSIN also plans to launch a brick production enterprise with a target capacity of 10 million bricks per season and a lighting fixture assembly line with Chinese investors. Inmates earn wages ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 soms based on their qualifications and the volume of orders completed.