Penitentiary psychology. Problems of modern development

The legal psychologist in his practice is faced with various phenomena occurring in the sphere of interaction between man and law. If forensic psychology considers only the phenomena and processes occurring in the judicial process, then the lion's share of useful material is both before and after the work of the courts.

The modern system of execution of punishments is going through a difficult period of reform. The world practice of the transition from fulfilling punitive functions to the methods of re-education involuntarily touched upon the prison systems of all countries of the post-Soviet space. The effectiveness of the new approach to the practice of executing punishments requires additional investments from the state. In the present conditions of a progressive crisis, there is no hope for any additional financial injections. Yes, and no cost of financial resources can not play the role assigned to them without adequate training of personnel and the development of an appropriate psychological base.

Penitentiary psychology is a section of legal psychology, its function is to study the relevant aspects of the effectiveness of both different types of punishment, and the behavior of convicts, and, importantly, their communities. This science is constantly being improved and supplemented. The process of reforming the penal system makes constant additions to the daily practice of the current employees of the penitentiary system. In addition, penitentiary psychology deals with processes that go beyond the work of penal institutions. Resocialization and rehabilitation of persons at the current stage plays no less important role than the process of punishment itself.

As its object penitentiary psychology chooses people who stay within the boundaries of institutions intended for serving punishment. Carrying out a psychological analysis of the effectiveness of the means applied to them, the methods of preventive and corrective action, makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of new ways of working with persons serving a sentence.

Problems and complexities of work in this area have risen sharply not only at the present time. Since the inception of the state, there have been many approaches and ways to address them. Over the past hundred years, there has been a significant rethinking and revaluation.

The main function is still punitive. Its meaning lies in the fact that the convict is isolated from society, he is kept under guard and constant supervision. All life activity of prisoners is under compulsory regulation. Accordingly, it causes a whole spectrum of negative experiences, since there is a powerful restriction in satisfying a whole series of basic social and physiological needs.

If we consider the educational function performed by the regime as a whole and penitentiary psychology in particular, then one can single out the strictness of the organization of life and the life of prisoners. The order of the day, a clear regulation of the conditions in which the sentence is served, leaves its imprint on both the behavior and the character of people. Among the positive effects, it should be noted the gradual development of such qualities as discipline, accuracy, diligence.

In the creation of favorable conditions for the organization of labor, educational work, training, and full-fledged activity of the personnel, the providing function of the regime is concluded. But as soon as a person leaves the penitentiary, a relapse effect may occur. It is precisely the prevention of such a negative phenomenon that currently operates both psychologists and staff of the penitentiary system. But their efforts are often not enough. To obtain better results in solving this problem, close cooperation with local authorities, employment agencies and social security for poorly protected persons is necessary.