E-books coming soon to Moscow inmates

Inmates in Moscow's correctional facilities will soon have access to e-books and readers, for a fee, the head of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service for Moscow said on Wednesday. “Educational Technology and Management Services will buy e-book readers and download a certain number of titles," said Anatoly Tikhomirov, acting head of the Moscow department. "Prisoners won’t be able to download new books or delete titles in the database.” Inmates will have to pay a fee to use the e-book readers, which will not be equipped for internet access, Tikhomirov said. The traditional hard-copy libraries already existing at Moscow prisons will continue to operate normally, he said. Prisoners in Moscow already have access to a range of fee-based services, including extra food, gym access, and hairdressing, laundry and clothing repair services.