Transfer of Convicts as an Instrument of Global Cooperation in Criminal Justice
Shatalov A.S. Transfer of convicts as an instrument of global cooperation in criminal justice. Penitentiary Science, 2026, vol. 20, no. 1 (73), pp. 12–22. doi 10.46741/2686- 9764.2026.73.1.002.
the article considers the institution of transfer of convicts in the context of criminal
and penal law. The relevance is due to the growth of transnational crime and the need to harmonize
international standards. The legal framework, procedures for transferring persons sentenced to
imprisonment to serve their sentences in their state of citizenship, execution of sentences without
imprisonment, application of suspended sentences or postponement, as well as respect for the
rights of convicted persons are considered. Special attention is paid to the role of international
treaties, Russian legislation, information exchange and the practice of the penal system of
the Russian Federation. Purpose: to analyze the transfer of convicts as a tool of international
cooperation by determining legal foundations, procedures and problems of transfer. Methods:
historical, comparative legal, observations and descriptions of the effectiveness of the norms of
international law, treaties of the Russian Federation, criminal and criminal procedure legislation.
Formal and dialectical logic, legal and technical analysis and interpretation of norms are applied.
Results: the analysis of Russian legislation and practice shows that the regulation of the transfer of
convicts boosts the effectiveness of justice, prosecutor’s offices and criminal justice on the basis
of humanism and cooperation. This ensures protection of the rights of Russian citizens abroad and
foreigners in the Russian Federation, as well as optimization of the execution of sentences, taking
into account the interests of convicts and states. Conclusions: it is necessary to improve the criminal
procedure legislation in order to exclude substitution of transfer mechanisms, increase guarantees
of victims’ rights (participation in court, appeal of decisions) and adapt to international standards.
Legal regulation should ensure legality, transparency, consideration of the rights of convicted
persons and smoothing out differences in national laws, promoting equal opportunities to serve
sentences in the state of citizenship.
Keywords: execution of sentence; international cooperation; transfer of convicts; penal system; criminal procedure; criminal proceedings; extradition.
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