Forced convicts to work for free on private property - in Bukovyna, colony officials were exposed
Kyiv • UNN
In Bukovyna, the head of the colony and the head of the social rehabilitation unit are suspected of organizing unpaid labor of convicts on private property. According to the investigation, four victims were used for firewood preparation and tile laying.
Convicted individuals were taken outside the correctional facility and forced to work for free on private properties. According to the investigation, this practice at a correctional colony in Bukovyna was systematic. Currently, the head of the colony and the head of the social rehabilitation unit have been suspected of labor exploitation of people, UNN reports, citing the Office of the Prosecutor General and the National Police.
Details
Under the procedural guidance of the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office, the head of one of the penal institutions and the head of the social rehabilitation unit have been notified of suspicion. They are charged with human trafficking, committed by a group of individuals by prior conspiracy, exploiting the vulnerable state of the victims.
According to the investigation, the officials organized the illegal removal of convicts outside the colony and handed them over to third parties for heavy physical labor.
During January-February 2026, convicts were used for firewood preparation: they chopped and sawed wood, loaded, transported, and stacked it on the territory of private households.
During a search at the household of one of the institution's employees, law enforcement officers discovered a convict laying paving slabs. According to the investigation, he was also sent there by the colony's management.
The investigation believes that the convicts were essentially used as free labor in the interests of third parties. Currently, four victims have been identified who were involved in work outside the penal institution.
On July 29, two officials were notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 149 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanction of the article provides for punishment of up to 12 years in prison with or without confiscation of property