On the Need to Develop Professional Competences in Criminal Procedure and Criminalistics in Corrections Officers of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia

Aleksandr S Shatalov,Aleksandr V Akchurin

doi:10.46741/2686-9764-2020-14-4-570-576

Abstract

The paper substantiates the idea that while performing law enforcement functions correctional institutions face the risks of illegal behavior on the part of those individuals who do not want to embark on the path of reformation. The most effective response to the facts of criminal acts committed by convicts is associated with the implementation of the principle of the inevitability of criminal punishment for such behavior. The speed of such a response is of paramount importance and depends on corrections officers themselves. The response can be effective only if officers of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia (FSIN Russia) use the full range of procedural and criminalistic tools at their disposal. Based on the analysis of the criminal procedure status of institutions, bodies and officials of FSIN Russia and the content of their functional responsibilities, we make an attempt to find out whether corrections officers need criminalistic knowledge. We identify the main areas in which corrections officers demand criminalistic knowledge. These include: law enforcement (for direct use in the implementation of criminal procedure powers, as well as for indirect use in the implementation of their main activities aimed at the execution of criminal penalties), education (for training personnel for penal institutions and bodies), and research (for further elaboration on the issues related to the investigation of prison offences). Key words: correctional institutions; criminalistics; convicts; criminal process; prison-related crimes; investigation of crimes; Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia.

Highlights

According to the current legislation, the results of intelligence-gathering activities and regime measures of penal institutions and bodies cannot be regarded as evidence in criminal cases, but they can contribute to the formation of a high-quality evidence base and the correct organization of the proof process itself, ensuring the effectiveness of procedural and, first of all, investigative actions
Statistics of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia (FSIN Russia) annually report about a thousand crimes committed by convicts in correctional facilities [10]
The greatest effect on the illegal activities of convicts is exerted by the inevitability of criminal punishment for the committed criminal acts; 97.8% of the surveyed convicts noted that gaining freedom was the most significant motive for SCIENCЕ AND PRACTICЕ JOURNAL

Summary

Introduction

According to the current legislation, the results of intelligence-gathering activities and regime measures of penal institutions and bodies cannot be regarded as evidence in criminal cases, but they can contribute to the formation of a high-quality evidence base and the correct organization of the proof process itself, ensuring the effectiveness of procedural and, first of all, investigative actions.

Results

Conclusion