Instead of prison — to the front: what the mobilization of inmates has changed in Ukraine

In Ukraine, since 2024 a law has been in force allowing convicted persons to be mobilized for service in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thus, nine people from the Cherkasy pre-trial detention center (SIZO) have joined Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

And as of January 2026, there are another 12 inmates in the SIZO who have given written consent to undergo military service and are awaiting further procedures.

This was told to Suspilne in a comment by Svitlana Vlasenko, senior inspector of the department for social-educational and psychological work.

During the period of the permission for mobilizing convicts, the state has developed an algorithm. Mobilization is voluntary; convicted persons can choose their military unit themselves, but they serve exclusively in assault units.

They undergo basic training separately at special training grounds, and enrollment into a brigade happens only with the consent of its commander.

According to Svitlana Vlasenko, senior inspector at the Cherkasy SIZO, the convicts now contact military units themselves, find out the conditions of service and the location of deployment. If commanders or unit representatives have permission, direct communication is also possible.

In Ukraine, people convicted of minor offenses, such as theft or fraud, may be allowed to be mobilized, while those convicted of especially serious crimes, terrorism, or treason are excluded from this possibility. The final decision in each case is made by the court.

After an application is submitted and the military unit agrees, the court allows the person to undergo the military medical commission, and then the service itself. For the period of time in the army, enforcement of the sentence is suspended. After a year of service, the convicted person is under supervision, and later the sentence may be canceled.