President signs law aimed at cutting prison numbers and repeat offenses

President Petr Pavel has signed a new amendment to the Criminal Code designed to reduce the number of inmates and repeat offenders. The changes, announced by the Presidential Office, emphasize alternative punishments, particularly fines, and are expected to bring budget savings.

The amendment expands the use of financial penalties for most crimes, excluding only the most serious offenses and certain abuse cases. It also partly decriminalizes some acts, like failure to pay child support, and relaxes rules on cannabis possession and cultivation.

In contrast, the law introduces stricter measures in other areas, explicitly criminalizing the promotion of communist ideology.

Critics warn the expanded use of fines could allow wealthier offenders to avoid prison more easily.