What has changed?
Uzbekistan has officially introduced a procedure for conducting remote video meetings for prisoners. The new format enables inmates to communicate with family members and authorized persons without physical visits to correctional facilities. These video meetings are designed to complement, not replace, traditional in-person visits.
Which countries already use this practice?
Remote video visitation has been widely adopted internationally, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar systems are currently in use in:
- United Kingdom — secure video calls are available in all public and private prisons;
- Germany — many federal states use video communication as a supplementary contact method;
- United States — video visitation is common at state, county, and federal detention facilities;
- Canada — video meetings are part of programs aimed at maintaining family ties;
- Australia — several states operate scheduled and online-booked video visits;
- Italy and Spain — video meetings support rehabilitation and social reintegration;
- Several Asian and Eastern European countries — the system is used through pilot or phased programs.
Why are video meetings considered important?
International experience shows that maintaining regular contact with family members reduces psychological stress among prisoners and contributes positively to rehabilitation. Video meetings are especially valuable for families living far from correctional institutions or facing financial and mobility constraints.
How are security and privacy ensured?
In most countries, video meetings are conducted under institutional supervision using secure communication platforms. Participation is limited to approved contacts, sessions are time-restricted, and monitoring is carried out in line with national legislation to ensure safety and compliance.
What does this mean for Uzbekistan’s prison system?
The introduction of remote video meetings is viewed as a step toward further humanization and digital modernization of Uzbekistan’s penitentiary system. Based on international practice, the initiative is expected to expand gradually, alongside improvements in technical infrastructure and accessibility.