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Attempt to Smuggle Nasvay to a Convict Foiled in Kyzylorda
An attempt to deliver a prohibited item to a convicted prisoner was foiled at Institution No. 60 in Kyzylorda.
According to the information provided, the younger brother of a prisoner serving a nine-year sentence attempted to deliver four packets of nasvay by hiding them inside a hamburger.
However, a serviceman from military unit 5547, who was on duty at the checkpoint, together with staff members of Institution No. 60, detected the suspicious item in time. During the inspection, the prohibited substance was discovered and confiscated.
The relevant materials have now been compiled against the individual and will be submitted to the administrative court.
It should be noted that since 2015, the import, production, sale and distribution of nasvay have been prohibited in Kazakhstan.
The transfer of prohibited items into penal institutions may result in administrative or criminal liability.
Officer of the Penal Enforcement System, Justice Major Alibek Azamatovich Karsakpayev, took 3rd place in the republican competition “Best Operational Officer,” organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
This achievement is the result of high professionalism, extensive experience in operational service, and a strong sense of responsibility.
We sincerely congratulate our colleague on this well-deserved achievement and wish him great success in his service, new heights, and many professional victories!
Congratulations! Wishing you many more victories and achievements!
Female Inmates at a Prison in Abai Region Congratulate College Teachers on Teacher’s Day
Ahead of Teacher’s Day, female inmates at a correctional facility of the Penal Enforcement System in the Abai Region congratulated college teachers on their professional holiday and expressed their gratitude for their dedication, attention and support.
Currently, about 50 female inmates aged between 18 and 55 are studying at the college. The students are receiving training in in-demand professions, including cooking and sewing.
Vocational education is an important part of preparing inmates for release. The knowledge and skills they acquire will help them adapt to life after release, find employment and secure a stable income.
For many students, the college has become not only a place to acquire a profession, but also a space where they can communicate, develop themselves and make plans for the future.
“Studying here often reminds me of my school years — a time when I worried about my grades and hurried home to tell my mother how my day had gone. Here, the teachers have become people we can share our worries and joys with, and from whom we can receive kind advice and support. Ahead of Teacher’s Day, we especially wanted to congratulate them and express our gratitude for their difficult work, patience and understanding. They help us not to give up, believe in ourselves and gain new knowledge,” one of the inmates said.
“Education and vocational training are of great importance for women preparing for release. Professional skills give them an opportunity to find employment in the future, support themselves independently and begin a new chapter in their lives. Teachers play a special role in this process. They not only share their knowledge, but also support the students, help them develop their abilities and believe in their own strengths. The Teacher’s Day celebration is a sincere expression of respect and gratitude for their daily work. Vocational training for inmates is one of the important areas of the institution’s work and contributes to their social reintegration, the development of positive life values and preparation for independent life after release,” said Akmaral Kairanova, Deputy Head of the institution.
Facility No. 8 Opens Its Doors to Entrepreneurs
The Department of the Penal Enforcement System of the Aktobe Region organized an “Open Day” for representatives of the business community at Facility No. 8. Particular attention during the event was paid to the establishment of new production facilities and the creation of additional jobs for convicted persons.
Currently, 22 small and medium-sized businesses operate at the facility. They are engaged in various areas, including the production of leather goods, paving stones, thermal insulation materials, rubber products and fish products, as well as tailoring services. Compared to the same period in 2025, the number of production facilities has increased by 10.
Entrepreneurs visited the facility’s production area and existing infrastructure, as well as new hangar-type and modular buildings suitable for accommodating production facilities. As part of the development of the production base, a new production workshop and a greenhouse for growing mushrooms have also been commissioned. Participants were informed about the conditions for locating production facilities, opportunities for cooperation with the facility, and prospects for implementing new projects.
Particular attention during the meeting was also paid to the employment of convicted persons. Official employment enables convicted persons to acquire professional skills and work experience, as well as develop a sense of responsibility and discipline. In turn, this can contribute to their employment after release and facilitate their reintegration into society.
Work to attract small and medium-sized businesses will continue. The main objectives are to expand the facility’s production capacity, create additional jobs, and increase the level of employment among convicted persons.
The “Open Day” provided an opportunity to establish constructive dialogue between representatives of the Penal Enforcement System and business entities, as well as to discuss prospects for further cooperation.
Attempt to Smuggle Mobile Phones Concealed in a Vehicle Tire into a Penal Institution
At Penal Institution No. 29 under the Department of the Penal Enforcement System for the Karaganda and Ulytau Regions, institution staff detected an attempt to bring prohibited items into the restricted area.
When a vehicle entered the premises of a vehicle maintenance station located near the institution, checkpoint officers inspected the vehicle and discovered and confiscated two mobile phones concealed inside the vehicle’s rear tire.
An investigative team was called to the scene to carry out further procedural measures in connection with the incident. An investigation is currently underway.
Employees of penal enforcement system institutions continue their work to ensure the established security regime and prevent prohibited items from being brought into correctional facilities.
Press Service of the Department of the Penal Enforcement System for the Karaganda and Ulytau Regions
Training Held for Regional Units’ Staff on the Operation of Radio Stations in the Penal Enforcement System
The Committee of the Penal Enforcement System organized specialized training for technical specialists from regional departments of the penal enforcement system on the operation of modern radio communication equipment.
The training was conducted with the support of foreign specialists and brought together technical specialists from penal enforcement departments representing various regions of Kazakhstan.
As part of the course, participants studied in detail the rules for operating radio stations, their configuration and programming procedures, as well as the specifics of technical maintenance and the practical application of radio communication equipment.
The training sessions were conducted with the participation of qualified technical specialists and technicians with relevant expertise and practical experience in working with this equipment.
Upon completion of the training, the participants enhanced their professional competencies and received official certificates confirming completion of the specialized course.
Such training initiatives contribute to improving the technical proficiency of personnel, ensuring the effective use of modern communication equipment, and further enhancing the technical and material capabilities of the penal enforcement system.
Employment of Convicted Persons Remains a Key Priority for the Penitentiary System
At the 2025 Board Meeting of the Law Enforcement Agencies, the Head of State instructed the relevant authorities to increase the employment of convicted persons by attracting private businesses and expanding production activities within penitentiary institutions.
Employment plays a vital role in the social reintegration of convicted persons following their release. It helps develop professional skills, strengthens labour discipline, and promotes law-abiding behaviour. At the same time, paid employment enables convicted persons to compensate victims for damages caused by criminal offences, fulfil obligations related to taxes and alimony, and meet other financial liabilities.
To further expand employment opportunities, the Department for the Organization of Convicted Persons' Labour, together with the Republican State Enterprise Enbek, has developed the Development Plan for Production Facilities in Penal Institutions for 2026–2027. The plan предусматривает modernization of production sites, expansion of Enbek's manufacturing capacity, and the introduction of modern automated production processes.
In addition, the construction of 42 production workshops is planned across the country in 2026. These facilities will create new manufacturing capacities within correctional institutions and provide additional employment opportunities for convicted persons.
Today, production has already been established in such areas as light industry, woodworking, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturing, medical products, construction materials, and other industrial sectors. Work is also underway to launch food production, including juices, dairy products, and canned goods.
The average monthly wage of employed convicted persons in 2026 amounts to approximately KZT 85,000.
The Committee of the Penitentiary System is also creating favourable conditions for cooperation with the business community. Efforts are currently underway to develop mutually beneficial cooperation mechanisms between correctional institutions and private enterprises through the introduction of tax incentives and other support measures for businesses that establish and expand production within penal institutions.
To encourage business participation, the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Atameken, and the Association of Social Innovators, has established a working group to improve the methodology for classifying businesses as social enterprises, optimize the Social Entrepreneurship Register, and develop additional government support measures and incentives (Order No. 156 of 22 June 2026).
Under the Entrepreneurial Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, businesses employing persons serving custodial sentences are classified as Category I Social Enterprises. This status provides access to a range of government support measures, including subsidized interest rates on business loans through the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund and eligibility for non-repayable government grants.
As part of the Unified Comprehensive Business Support Programme, social enterprises may receive interest rate subsidies reducing loan rates to 7–8% per annum for loans of up to KZT 1.5 billion. In addition, the Damu Fund may provide loan guarantees covering up to 85% of the loan amount for small businesses.
Additional fiscal incentives are provided under the new Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which establishes a fixed 4% basic tax rate for entrepreneurs applying the special tax regime (Article 76).
The employment of convicted persons remains under the special supervision of the Committee of the Penitentiary System of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
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Due to the vigilance of the staff, attempts to smuggle prohibited items into Facility No. 8 were prevented.
Thanks to the vigilance and professional actions of the staff of Facility No. 8 of the Department of the Penal Enforcement System of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Aktobe Region, two attempts to bring prohibited items into the facility were prevented.
On August 10, 2026, as part of the “Shield” preventive and security operation, staff members of the facility’s security and operational departments, together with military personnel of Military Unit No. 6655 of the National Guard of the Republic of Kazakhstan, conducted inspection measures.
At approximately 3:50 p.m., during the inspection of citizen S.T., a driver of “Stroy-Prof” LLP, facility staff discovered and confiscated two banknotes with a total value of 20,000 tenge, each with a denomination of 10,000 tenge, from his trouser pocket.
Later that same day, at approximately 4:30 p.m., during the inspection of a parcel brought by citizen A.S., staff members’ vigilance led to the discovery and confiscation of a mobile phone concealed inside a doner among food products.
In connection with this incident, an administrative case was initiated against citizen A.S. under Part 1 of Article 481 of the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Administrative Offenses. The case was subsequently referred to the administrative court for a procedural decision.
These incidents once again demonstrate the importance of maintaining a high level of vigilance, attentiveness, and professionalism by penal enforcement system personnel in the performance of their official duties.
The facility administration urges citizens to strictly comply with the established requirements when visiting penal enforcement institutions.
On August 5, 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a briefing on the implementation of the Law "On Amnesty in Connection with the Adoption of the New Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan." The briefing was attended by Niyaz Kanatovich Ryspaev, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the Penal Enforcement System of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
During the briefing, Mr. Ryspaev stated that, to date, approximately 10,000 case files related to the application of the amnesty have been submitted to the courts.
Of these, around 4,400 were prepared by penal institutions, while more than 6,900 were submitted by probation services. At present, the courts have reviewed more than 1,000 case files. As a result, 620 inmates have been released from penal institutions, 724 individuals under probation supervision have been released from serving the remainder of their sentences, and the prison terms of more than 730 convicted persons have been reduced.
In addition, Mr. Ryspaev emphasized that the amnesty does not apply to all categories of convicted persons. In accordance with the law, the amnesty does not extend to individuals convicted of corruption, extremist or terrorist offenses, crimes against the sexual integrity of minors, torture, or those recognized as dangerous or especially dangerous repeat offenders.
The implementation of the Law "On Amnesty in Connection with the Adoption of the New Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan" remains under the continuous supervision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Committee of the Penal Enforcement System.
To implement the "Law and Order" principle outlined by the Head of State, foster a culture of respect for the law, personal responsibility, and legal awareness among employees, and in accordance with the instructions of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as within the framework of implementing the priority areas of the "Continuity of Generations and National Values" project, a unified educational session titled "Law and Order – A Value of Every Family" was held today for the staff of the Committee of the Penal Correction System and the Department of the Penal Correction System for the city of Astana.
The event was honored by the participation of Umirzak Kospanovich Bolsambekov, Chairman of the Kazakhstan Organization of Veterans of the Internal Affairs Bodies and the National Guard Public Association and Major General of Militia, who attended as the guest of honor.