Russia's first synagogue for prisoners opened in the Arkhangelsk region

On September 15, in the Arkhangelsk region in the penal colony in the village of Ertsevo, the first synagogue for prisoners in Russia was opened. The colony administration allowed the rabbis to visit the penitentiary every day.

Recall that according to the data for 2008, 436 places of worship were operating in the institutions of the penitentiary system, including 403 Orthodox churches, 23 mosques, seven dugans and three churches. In addition, 741 prayer rooms were opened (517 Orthodox, 87 Islamic, seven Buddhist). Another 74 temples were under construction.

Sources

• The first synagogue in a penal colony appeared in Russia // Grani.ru. 2009. September 17.