The Russian penal system is quite complex, including preventive measures in the form of suspended sentences, house arrest, many types of correctional institutions, including colonies for minors, special prisons for former law enforcement officials, etc.
It is not possible to understand all types of criminal punishment within the framework of one article, so we will touch on only a small part of it - we will find out how the regimes in the colonies of the Russian Federation differ.
What is a place of special strictness?
The word “special” suggests that the rules of strictness are strengthened here. And indeed it is. Those who have committed violations under strict regime are placed in a particularly strict regime .
REFERENCE! Residents of the special regime are those sentenced to life imprisonment or those to whom the death penalty was applied, but due to circumstances it was changed to special detention.
Unprecedented security measures have been introduced in the prison, where the likelihood of escape is minimized. A zone of this type has strict restrictions and chamber-type stays.
There are also differences in the number of messages with the “outside” world. A prisoner has the right to parcels and parcels depending on the position in which he is detained.
- Normal conditions allow you to receive 4 parcels and 4 parcels per year.
- Lightweight . 6 parcels and the same number of parcels are allowed.
- Strict . Limited to 2 parcels and 2 parcels.
- Normal containment conditions allow for 3 parcels and 3 parcels per year.
- Lightweight – 4 gears and 4 parcels.
- Strict conditions are limited to 1 parcel and 1 parcel.
You can learn about the difference between a maximum security prison and a general security prison here.
Description and characteristics
Colonial settlements
Representatives of the executive branch understand that it is dangerous to choose a preventive measure for persons who have committed a violation of the law by mistake or for the first time, with those who are serving a sentence for acts related to serious violations of the law.
Therefore, colony settlements were created specifically for these purposes.
This type of punishment is used in cases where conditional restriction of freedom or release from punishment is unacceptable .
This form of punishment resembles life in society, but with a number of restrictions. They are most evident in the supervision of prisoners.
In other words, such an environment contributes to the correction of the behavior of guilty persons, but without the excessive restrictions imposed in prison. This allows them to feel social while still being disciplined .
The main task of such a restriction of a citizen’s actions is to push the imprisoned citizen to self-discipline and adaptation in society.
The most lenient detention is carried out in a specialized institution, that is, a settlement colony.
There are people who have committed criminal acts that cause minor damage or who observe high discipline in other prison regimes, who, by a special decision emanating from the commission, were subsequently transferred and then delivered to more benign conditions for the detention of convicted persons.
Features of long-term serving of a sentence in a penal colony are:
- free movement during the daytime;
- lack of security, while order is maintained by the settlement administration;
- travel outside the colony for study or work is allowed;
- the ability to change clothes and carry personal valuables;
- exists in unlimited numbers, both dates and transfers;
- Dormitories do not have bars installed on windows.
If the convicted person has a family, there is a relaxation: with the permission of the management of the correctional institution, it is allowed to rent a house built on the territory of the institution.
However, access for inspectors will be provided within 24 hours.
Excursion to the colony-settlement:
General regime prisons
The general regime is stricter than the conditions for housing in a colony settlement. The following persons may be placed in it:
- men who have been sentenced for the first time or people who have not previously been imprisoned;
- women who have committed an unlawful act repeatedly.
previously served time in colonies with a softer regime, but due to unfavorable behavior, violated the law, are also placed here
By a court verdict, they are placed in a colony, which lives under the conditions of a general regime.
The quality of life in prison depends on the conditions of detention. They are divided into ordinary, strict-looking, and lightweight .
Initially, the prisoner is held on the basis of general conditions, but after 6 months, if he shows exemplary behavior, then there is a chance to receive light detention.
Another option is possible: if discipline is violated, then accommodation will be established under worse conditions.
Colonial settlements are located throughout Russia , both in the central part and in other regions.
General regime colonies are located in Kolomna in the Kolychevo microdistrict, in Moscow, Lgov and many other cities.
Strict confinement
There is also a mode for punishment called "strict". For those who know nothing about its conditions, it is necessary to first explain for what crimes the court chooses such a punishment.
Men who have committed serious crimes or those whose actions have been recognized as a relapse .
The difference between a strict regime and a general regime is in the terms of detention, as well as the conditions of convicts’ stay.
It also has three types of detention : light, general and strict conditions, but the period for establishing one of them is not six months, but nine.
In this type of imprisonment there are also three gradations according to the severity of punishment: general, strict and light.
However, in order for a decision to be made to transfer from one established type of regime to another, a period exceeding 1 calendar year will be required.
Colonies based on a strict regime in correctional institutions have been built in almost every region of the Russian Federation. The addresses of such establishments are as follows:
- FKU IK-5 Belgorod, Sosnovka village;
- FKU IK-3, Vladimir st. Polina Osipenko 49;
- women's colony in the Oryol region, Shakhovo village, FKU IK-6;
- FKU IK-43 Kemerovo village Yasenovsky st. Bach 3a;
- Irkutsk region, Markovo village, FKU IK-19.
These are just some of the addresses of the colonies where a strict regime is established, but there are many of them throughout the country.
What is the difference between a prison and a zone? Find out from the video:
Are there strict regime women's colonies in Russia? Read about it here.
Special
The most stringent “special” regime attracts persons who have committed particularly serious crimes or those who have committed serious illegal acts while serving a prison sentence.
A distinctive feature of colonies, in contrast to prison, is that in the latter visits and the transfer of parcels are limited .
Prisoners do not live in a dormitory, but in cells .
Another category of persons who are subject to a special type of punishment are criminals serving life sentences.
If the imprisoned citizen does not violate the order established by the colony, then by decision of a special commission he is transferred to a light regime.
Throughout the entire period of imprisonment, the situation can change dramatically. This is due to the behavior of the convicted person.
From a light regime he can be transferred to a light special or strict type of imprisonment, where the conditions of detention are much worse.
The use of a special regime as a punishment for a crime involves strict restrictions for a prisoner. They are as follows:
- The prisoner is placed in a cell and serves his sentence alone . In rare cases, two convicted citizens are kept in such premises.
- Walking is also limited . As a rule, the walk takes place in a closed courtyard without exposure to daylight; the time is also limited, that is, no more than 1.5 hours. Conversations with other persons serving sentences are also kept to a minimum.
- Only two short-term visits are allowed per year . Transfers in the form of a parcel or parcel post are allowed, but only once a year.
The work performed by each convict is carried out in a separate cell.
Today in Russia there are only two colonies with a special regime . They contain about two hundred people.
What are they giving for?
Why do they give a strict regime in prison? Guided by Art. 122 Penal Codes of the Russian Federation receive severe punishment :
those convicted of an intentional crime;- repeat offenders;
- serial killers;
- "contract" killers.
Maximum restrictions and isolation from society have been introduced for high-security prisoners.
Particularly strict provisions are provided for persons:
- Those who have committed especially serious crimes and are sentenced to life imprisonment (Article 58 of the Criminal Code, Article 74 of the Penal Code).
- Persons for whom the death penalty has been abolished for one reason or another are kept in special colonies with a special situation.
- Convicts who have committed crimes in the strict regime territory are placed in special conditions by transferring from the strict system.
White Swan
One of the most famous prisons. Located in Solikamsk. The prison was founded in 1938 to hold “enemies of the people.” As many believe, the colony got its name due to the fact that prisoners move around the colony bent low, their arms raised and behind their backs, and their legs spread wide apart.
White Swan is a colony with the harshest conditions. According to unofficial data, the average life expectancy of those sentenced to life does not exceed 7 years. To guard the colony, there are about a hundred service dogs in the camp. The convict is escorted by three guards and a dog handler with a dog. But, despite the severity of the regime, the position of a psychologist was introduced in the colony. Currently, the total number of prisoners is about 300 people.
Schedule
Everyone knows that every prison has its own unspoken rules adopted by authoritative prisoners. But, besides this, there are legally established procedures according to which the prison officially lives .
REFERENCE! According to Order No. 205 of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation dated November 3, 2005, each IC has its own procedures, which may vary depending on the time of year, local conditions or other circumstances.
Having familiarized ourselves with the daily routine of the prisoners, we can conclude that the prisoners live a normal life, which is lived by those who are on the other side of the fence.
The daily routine of offenders includes work, personal time and cultural events, not counting three meals a day and physical activity.
The daily routine is adjusted if convicts work in several shifts . A separate schedule for those convicted who are in quarantine, in solitary confinement or punishment cells.
Labor of convicts
In colonies, convicts, as a rule, are engaged in socially useful labor, that is, they work and receive wages for it. The regime of a maximum security colony provides for any types of activities that are permitted by law and provided for in this IC. The money earned is credited to the account of the convicted person minus the amount for the claims of the victims, if any. Also, prisoners can receive pensions and other social benefits at their location, if they are provided for convicted prisoners. Products manufactured in the IC are sold under general business conditions. The entire working period is included in the prisoner’s total length of service and is taken into account when calculating the pension.
Conditions
After the sentence has been announced to the convicted person, after some time he is transported to the place where he will serve his sentence. A mandatory requirement is a 2-week quarantine that everyone must undergo. After a short period of isolation, the convict enters the normal regime, where he will serve his sentence.
In a strict colony, prisoners initially find themselves in normal living conditions. This system involves long (3 days - 3 times a year) visits and parcels (4 times a year) weighing up to 20 kg.
ATTENTION! Regular serving of a sentence may be available to those who have distinguished themselves with good behavior under strict conditions (without penalties).
- Easier position .
The procedure for such a stay is much easier than the previous one. A dormitory is provided for the accommodation of convicts. Under simplified conditions, long visits are allowed 3 times a year, and parcels can be transferred up to 6 times. - Strict conditions .
One of the strictest regimes for staying in the zone (prison). Dangerous criminals, those who have repeatedly violated the rules of being in the colony, are in strict residence. Criminals are kept in closed premises under strict conditions. They are provided with short walks in a limited area. They are entitled to 1 long visit per year, as well as short visits and parcels 2 times a year.
Particularly strict provision . The conditions of the location correspond to its name. The most dangerous criminals, those sentenced to life imprisonment, are subject to especially strict conditions.
Since many prisoners are prone to escape, violation and suicide, all kinds of security measures are taken here to prevent emergencies.
It has become a generally accepted fact that in the camp, in addition to the legislative order, there are their own internal prison laws, which are controlled by the “supervisor”.
There is no women's colony under a particularly strict regime..
Confinement of women in correctional institutions
More lenient conditions of detention are provided for female criminals than for males. This is expressed in the absence of strict and special regime women’s colonies on the territory of the Russian Federation.
If a crime of any gravity is committed, the woman will be sent to serve her sentence in a penal colony or general regime. There are no other concessions for female criminals. All other rules for serving women and men are the same. If a woman has been assigned a strict confinement regime, she has the following restrictions:
- Contained in a closed room in which there are several people.
- The time for outdoor walks is limited and should not exceed an hour and a half daily.
- Meetings with relatives twice a year.
- Receiving parcels three times a year.
All prisoners are assigned to dormitories or cells. Women who have committed an unlawful act serve their sentences separately from repeat offenders. Criminals who have committed an illegal act of a particularly serious nature serve their sentences in separate cells.
How is it different from prison?
A prison and a maximum security colony have no fundamental differences. In both institutions, prisoners are kept in a confined environment under constant surveillance by guards. Their short-term movements and walks are carried out exclusively in handcuffs.
IMPORTANT! Both in prison and in a special prison colony there are especially dangerous criminals, whose full return to society is in doubt.
One of the features is that only “inveterate” characters who are doomed to spend the rest of their lives behind bars are placed in the colony.
But there are often cases when convicts do not exhibit the best behavior even in such conditions. In this case, special isolated cells are provided for them, in which they are placed as punishment.
We invite you to read other articles on our website. Read about:
- What is disbat and why do you get there?
- What types of prisons are there?
- What are the living conditions in a general regime colony?
- What is a guardhouse and how does it differ from a disbat?
- What is the difference between a zone and a prison?
- How is a prison different from a correctional colony?
The harshest prisons in Russia
The list includes 6 special regime colonies, each of which has its own procedures.
- "White Swan". An institution for life-sentenced prisoners, located in the Perm region. Criminals are housed in cells of 1, 2 or 3 people, depending on psychological characteristics and compatibility with neighbors. The movement of prisoners around the territory occurs in a special way - they lean forward, clasping their hands high behind their backs.
- "Black Dolphin". The largest special regime colony houses both life-sentenced and limited-term prisoners. Those serving sentences are under constant supervision and sleep with the lights on. From getting up until bedtime, they are prohibited from lying or sitting on the bed. After psychological testing, they are distributed into cells designed for 1-4 people.
- "Polar Owl". The institution is characterized by strict conditions of detention. The location of the colony plays a special role - in the Arctic Circle, where the temperature drops to -40 degrees. Polar Owl houses both life-sentence prisoners and those held in general conditions.
- "Vologda nickel". The institution for “life-long” criminals is located on the island. Because of this, she was nicknamed the Russian Alcatraz. Convicts are kept in cells of 2-3 people under constant surveillance by video cameras. From 6 am to 10 pm they are not allowed to use the bed. Movement around the colony is carried out under escort and in handcuffs.
- Mordovian zone. The institution is inhabited by those who received life sentences, as well as those whose sentence is more than 25 years. Convicts are divided into cells from 1 to 4 people. The colony has a library and a church.
- Torbeevsky central . Granted the status of a colony for life prisoners. Criminals are under constant surveillance.
The colony has a sewing workshop where prisoners sew work clothes and uniforms for correctional officers.
Special colonies and prisons
In Russia, in addition to the fact that the regime of a maximum security colony provides for slightly different conditions of detention from the general ones, these institutions also have a special reputation. In this regard, there are peculiar legends about correctional institutions. The most famous are the special regime colonies where death row prisoners are housed - those for whom the death penalty was replaced with life imprisonment, as well as pre-trial detention centers in different cities of Russia, which have their own special history.
Among such institutions we can name the famous Vladimir Central, Lefortovo Prison, Matrosskaya Tishina, Butyrskaya Prison, “White Swan”, “Black Dolphin”, Kresty. The stories told both within the walls of prisons and in freedom amaze even the most seasoned people with their content.
