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ORGANISATION AND ACTIVITY ARRANGEMENT OF THE SOVIET PENAL INSTITUTIONS FOR DANGEROUS STATE PRISONERS, 1948-1954

A.E. Epifanov, B.N. Kovalev, S.V. Kulik, D.Y. Astashkin, I.V. Koroleva

Abstract

The article presents a brief overview of organisation and activity arrangement of the Soviet Union penal institutions and detention camps for Soviet citizens and foreigners convicted of especially dangerous crimes against the State from historical and legal perspectives. The main source of information used by the authors was provided by the State Archive of the Russian Federation (abbreviated GARF). The authors of the article managed to reconstruct the system of detention places for dangerous state prisoners, which was developed during the given time period, by bridging the gap between facts in reality and factually correct. The information about punitive institutions and detention camps location was revealed by the authors. Labour practices, living conditions, medical service, cultural and educational work with prisoners were studied. Statistical data was also included. The authors demonstrated the regulation, organisation and activity arrangement practices of these penal institutions and detention camps, their departmental subordination, prison authorities, human resourcing, safety and intelligence gathering. Dangerous state prisonersВ’ sentence service in strict regime prison facilities was analyzed and compared with common labour camps and detention places for those sentenced to hard labour. Labour practices applied to work camp prisoners, their job description, daily working hours, and working conditions were studied. Security service system and escorting procedure in transporting high-risk prisoners, military escort organisation and work of the Soviet Union Ministry of Internal Affairs, and non-departmental security forces were characterized by the authors. Essential and distinctive features of foreignersВ’ sentence service in strict regime prison facilities were revealed. The authors of the article also analyzed general living conditions, accommodation and food supply for most dangerous state prisoners including the organisation of punitive camp departments arranged for them. Particular attention is paid to regulatory control and precautions taken to avoid prison escapes, acts of banditry, disorder, and revolts.

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