Use of Correctional and Labour Measures on the Inmates of The Solovetsky Camp in the 1920s and 1930s

Abstract

The main aim of the research behind this article is to analyze changes in essence of Soviet labour policy in the 20s and 30s of the 20th century and show the weakness of democratic law under a totalitarian regime. Solovetsky Camp of Special Destination and its inmates are the subjects of investigation in this article. Analysis of legal acts and literature of the 1920s shows the correctional focus of the first labour camps. This fact is confirmed by the number of correctional institutions and by cultural and educational work. Solovetsky camp was the first “corrective labor” institution in the USSR, founded in 1923. However, further reform of the penal system radically reorganized penitentiary institutions and aimed them at solving economic problems. The result was countrywide dissemination of forced labour camps like the Solovki. For many years the Solovki was the largest camp in the Soviet Union, where the methods of using forced labor on large masses of prisoners were worked out. Solovki became the main structure in the penal system of the state along with the other concentration camps. But price of economic achievements were not commensurate with the number of lost humans lives. The history of Solovetsky camp reflects main events in the country, while the period of Solovetsky camp is separate stage of the development of the penitentiary system in Russia. Keywords: Solovetsky Camp of Special Destination (Soviet Union), penitentiary system, human rights, northern forced labour camps, correctional measures, educational work, social and economic aims. Citation: Arctic Review on Law and Politics, vol. 3, 2/2012 pp. 186–199. ISSN 1891-6252