Features of the formation of the progressive prison system in England

Abstract

The article examines the peculiarities of the development of a progressive prison system in England. It is noted that the prerequisites for the implementation of this system were: an increase in the number of convicts, and therefore, prisoners; lack of prisons; decentralization and inefficiency of the prison system at that time; demoralizing consequences of execution of punishments. In 1838, the main regulations for reforming the penitentiary system of England were submitted to the government. The result of the proposed reform was the formation of a progressive prison system. The beginnings of the English progressive system of execution of punishments can be found in the activities of Captain D. McConochie, who in 1840 first applied its regulations to convict labourers on Norfolk Island near Australia, where the most dangerous criminals were sent. In England itself, this system was first introduced in 1842 in Pentonville Prison. The English progressive penitentiary system provided for several stages of imprisonment: solitary confinement, which took place in special solitary cells; collective imprisonment with joint labor during the day and separation at night; parole. The system had the following characteristic features: gradualness in the severity of the punishment, which depended on the arrestee himself; individualization of execution of sentences, based on a personal daily analysis of prisoners’ attitude to the regime and work; involvement of prisoners in the provision of prison activities; comprehensibility and accessibility for each detainee; significant educational influence on prisoners, most of whom were interested in softening prison conditions; parole as the highest reward for good behavior and conscientious work. The system had significant successes and attracted the attention of specialists and the public by reducing recidivism and a diverse set of educational measures. It also found its embodiment in the modern penitentiary system of England, in which the execution of prison sentences is organized according to a progressive system, which provides for solitary confinement with subsequent transfer to a general cell, where the regime of detention has three degrees. One of the main elements of organising and executing punishments related to deprivation of liberty is the classification and division of prisoners into four categories. According to these categories, there are four regimes of detention of prisoners.