NCJ Number
133844
Date Published
1991
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Imprisonment has an important role in the corrections policies in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, although policy reforms focusing increasingly on alternatives to institutionalization have resulted in a decline in custodial sentences from more than 50 percent before the early 1980's to a current level of 30-35 percent.
Abstract
The current criminal law provides for prison sentences ranging from 3 months to 10 years, with longer terms in specific cases. A conditional conviction with a requirement to work is a sanction between imprisonment and probation. Pretrial detention is also permitted. In the 1950's and 1960's, significant progress has occurred in making prisons more humane and ensuring that legal requirements are followed. The three types of institutions are reformative labor colony settlements which are like villages; reformative labor colonies which are regular institutions; and prisons. Incarcerated juveniles ages 14-18 serve their terms in educational labor colonies. All prisoners are required to work. Prison law recognizes certain privileges as incentives for good behavior. Furloughs and the introduction of open institutions have made prisons less restrictive. Soviet criminal law is currently undergoing basic change toward a relaxation of penal social control and a movement away from custodial sanctions. 4 references