VI)  Employment of convicts salary in the general population. In 2000, a convict’s remuneration equalled 29.79% of the average salary outside prison, while in 2013 it was just 14.18%, i.e. one half. The average monthly remuneration of convicts was 92.66% of the minimum salary in the total population in 2000, which dropped to a mere 46% by 2013. These data are shown in the enclosed table. Year Average monthly remuneration of convicts* Average salary outside prisons Minimum wage (if increased in the course of the years, it is calculated as the proportional part of minimum salary in the relevant year)** 2013 3,777 26,637 8,208.3 14.2  46.0 2012 3,560 25,101 8,000 14.2  44.5 2011 3,639 24,126 8,000 15.1  45.5 2010 3,806 23,797 8,000 16.0  47.6 2009 3,615 23,344 8,000 15.5  45.2 2008 3,902 22,592 8,000 17.3  48.8 2007 3,935 20,957 8,000 18.8  49.2 2006 4,190 19,546 7,762.5 21.4  54.0 2005 4,200 18,344 7,185 22.9  58.5 2004 4,181 17,466 6,700 23.9  62.4 2003 4,119 16,430 6,200 25.1  66.4 2002 4,046 15,524 5,700 26.1  71.0 2001 3,935 14,378 5,000 27.4  78.7 Prisons/ outside prisons ratio – average remuneration/ salary (%) Average monthly remuneration in prisons/minimum salary ratio 2000 3,938 13,219 4,250 29.8  92.7 1995 2,577  8,307 2,200 31.0 117.1 *Source: Czech Statistical Office, Prison Service of the Czech Republic.**Source: Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The EPR stipulate in par. 26.10 that “there shall be equitable remuneration of the work of prisoners”. Similarly, the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, par. 76/1: ”There shall be a system of equitable remuneration of the work of prisoners.” Professional literature takes a similar approach. 50 In summary, I support introduction of gradual adjustment of the convicts’ remunerations to inflation so that the risk of negative impacts on the employment of the convicts (resulting from lesser attractiveness of convict labour in case of abrupt increase of remunerations) is mitigated. If all convicts get the opportunity to earn more money, this will increase the likelihood they will pay their debts (the costs of imprisonment, indemnification for damage caused by their criminal acts, duties to maintain and support, distraint, etc.) and it can be reasonably assumed this will reduce their motivation to return to crime after being released. 50 “If the experience of work is to prepare prisoners for life after release and not merely to be seen by them as forced labour, it is important that they should receive some form of remuneration for the work which they do.” In: COYLE, Andrew. A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management: Handbook for Prison Staff. London: International Centre for Prison Studies, 2002, p. 89. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) takes the same position. /24/