Psychological Grounds for Spreading Criminal Subculture Among Schoolchildren Brought to Criminal Responsibility

Abstract

Criminal subculture goes far beyond the prison system, involving new socio-cultural spaces, exerting an increasing influence on the younger generation. Traditionally, penitentiary institutions, including those for minors, are considered to be the source of the spread of the criminal subculture elements. However, its distribution channels are transformed over time. The aim of the study was to clarify the psychological reasons for the spread of criminal subculture among schoolchildren who have committed criminal offenses. The study involved students of the Federal State Educational Institution Secondary School No. 2 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Sverdlovsk Region and the Federal State Educational Institution Secondary School of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Tyumen Region, a total of 165 teenagers. There are also 52 students of secondary schools in Sverdlovsk and Tyumen regions who are registered with the criminal executive inspectorate. As a result of the conducted research, two groups of psychological grounds were identified: external and internal. A group of external factors is associated with the influence of the Internet space, the public environment, creating a strong and domineering image, as well as family and loved ones belonging to the criminal sphere. A group of internal factors related to psychological grounds includes: the need for communication, the value of belonging, the ability to receive vivid emotions, feelings of control and subordination. It is established that a significant part of juvenile offenders is not driven by romanticizing prison life. They committed their crimes without ideological convictions, at the same time sharing criminal norms and values.