The Role of the Public in Prison Transformations of the 19th Century in Russia
Belyaeva L.I. The role of the public in prison transformations of the 19th century in Russia. Penitentiary Science, 2021, vol. 15, no. 1 (53), pp. 5–19. DOI 10.46741/2686-9764-2021-15-1-134-144
Introduction: the article examines the circumstances that promoted the activity of social forces of the 19th century in improving prison life and re-socialization of persons released from prison. The article describes the areas of public activity aimed at the transformation of prisons in the Russian Empire and the impact of this activity on the improvement of the execution of sentences in the form of imprisonment. We analyze the activities of the Guardianship Society for Prisons, Patronage Societies and other non-governmental structures. We assess the role of the public in the development of domestic legislation and law enforcement practice and analyze errors and omissions that occurred. Methods: the study is based on the axiological approach. Finding a solution to the research problem was facilitated by the use of general philosophical principles of dialectics and special methods of cognition: systematic, formal-legal, sociological, etc. Results: the ideas of the Age of Enlightenment contributed to the manifestation of social activity, in the public consciousness there emerged a thought about the necessity to abandon the cruelty of punishment. The organization of patronage is a necessary condition for the transformation of prisons. Discussion: it is noteworthy that in the works of different historical periods, we can find common views and negative assessments of the activities of non-governmental entities of the pre-revolutionary period associated with the prison department. Conclusions: the activity of the public in the field of transformation of correctional institutions cannot be considered faultless. However, the number of its critical assessments is so large that there is no need to increase it; anyway, this cannot change anything. From an axiological point of view, it is much more important to identify what is valuable for social practice: it stimulated the development of public initiative in addressing the issues related to punishment and its execution, the establishment of new public formations that aimed their activities at providing assistance to those released from prison, organizing the execution of sentences against minors, the removal of children of convicts from prisons and the establishment of shelters for them, etc
Keywords: Public; Enlightenment era; Guardianship Society for Prisons; patronage societies; societies for agricultural colonies and craft shelters; academic community; prison; prison transformations; prison reform; prisoners; rehabilitation; juvenile offenders; international congresses
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