In 1998, 149 death-row prisoners were pardoned

In 1998, 149 death-row prisoners were pardoned. Amnesty International estimated the total number of people on death row in Russia at 839 as of October 1998. In ordinary jails more than 10 prisoners can be found sharing cells of 20 to 30sq. mts. and inmates can expect 70 kopecks' (3 cents) worth of food a day.