As of 2017, there were 30,452 prisoners held in Turkmenistan [1] and 453 prisoners were being held in 2013 for drug law offences [2] which can carry a sentence of up to 5 years [3]. No data is available as to the HIV prevalence among prisoners but antiretroviral therapy (ART) is reportedly available in prison, but there are no opioid substitution therapy (OST), nor needle/syringe programmes (NSP), present in any Turkmen prisons [4].

No data is available as to the cost of incarcerating each prisoner, per year.

There were estimated to be 32,000 people who use drugs and 11,600 people who inject drugs nationwide in 2007 [5], but more recent data is not available. Data is not available as to the HIV prevalence among people who use and/or inject drugs in Turkmenistan, nor as to the availability or cost of NSP or OST, respectively. Data is also not available concerning unemployment benefit payments.

[1]    World Prison Brief. Turkmenistan. London; Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research, University of London. https://www.prisonstudies.org/country/turkmenistan (accessed 4 August 2021).
[2]    Chingin A, Fedorova O. Turkmenistan Drug Situation and Drug Policy. Strasbourg; Pompidou Group, December 2014. https://rm.coe.int/drug-situation-and-drug-policy-by-alex-chingin-and-olga-fedorova-decem/168075f300 (accessed 11 August 2021).
[3]    Penalties for drug law offences in East Europe and Central Asia at a glance: https://old.harmreductioneurasia.org/drug-laws/
[4]    Harm Reduction International (HRI). Global State of Harm Reduction 2020, Regional Overview 2.2 Eurasia. London; HRI, 2021. https://www.hri.global/files/2020/10/26/Global_State_HRI_2020_2_2_Eurasia_FA_WEB.pdf (accessed 3 August 2021).
[5]    Chingin A., et al, Ibid.