Prison Department Research Articles

«Фонд имени бывшего начальника Главного тюремного управления тайного советника А. М. Максимовского» (1907–1917): причины создания, деятельность, историческое значение

The purpose of this article is to study the activities of the “Foundation named after the former head of the Main prison department, privy councilor A. M. Maksimovsky”. Research objectives: to identify the reasons for the foundation’s creation, to analyze the main directions of its activities, to determine the list of persons who established this fund, to establish the historical significance of the foundation’s work. The chronological framework of the study is determined by the time of the existence of this charitable organization. The source base consists of unpublished office documents, reference sources, pre-revolutionary periodicals. Clerical documentation from two funds of the Central archive of the Nizhny Novgorod region was used: fund 386 “Nizhny Novgorod prison inspectorate” (1908–1918), fund 1952 “Balakhninsky district branch of the Prison trustee society”. The most important historical sources include reference materials on the highest and central state institutions of Russia (1801–1917), the pre-revolutionary periodical press — the journal of the Main prison administration called the “Prison bulletin”. The author came to the conclusion that “The Foundation named after the former head of the Main prison department, privy councilor A. M. Maksimovsky”, was created on the initiative of representatives of the political elite of the Russian empire. Its founders wanted not only to perpetuate the memory of A. M. Maksimovsky, who died while performing his official duty, but also, in the context of the growing revolutionary movement in Russia, to financially support the families of prison officers killed in their posts.

Тюремные инспекторы Западной Сибири и организация пенитенциарного ведомства в конце XIX – начале XX в.

The purpose of the article consists in studying of a position of provincial prison inspector in the regional administrative apparatus and in researching of local prison inspection’s activity. Using microhistorical approach, structural-functional method and methods of retrospective and discourse analysis, the authors made an attempt to analyze the stages of the creation of the prison institution in Western Siberia and the scenarios of its transformation. The historical sources involved in the research including periodicals, sources of personal origin, documents of governmental agencies, archive materials and works of historians and publicists allow us to provide an overall pattern of provincial prison inspections’ functioning. A logical consequence of the creation of a central prison institute was the gradual formation of provincial prison departments. Due to a number of favorable factors, the prison inspection bodies (as part of the provincial governments) were formed in 1892 in the Tomsk Governorate. In other regions of Siberia, including the Tobolsk Governorate, these regulations became effective only in 1895. The prison departments were headed by provincial prison inspectors, who held a much higher position than another heads of departments. In this regard, they were almost on the same level as the vice-governor. The authors conclude that the inspection of prisons was sufficiently extensive, ranging from inspection of penitentiaries, detention houses and transit points, control of their sanitary conditions and technical equipment, to the staffing of prison schools, churches and libraries. The West Siberian prison inspections played an important role in the production and organization of convict labor, which served as an integral part of the penitentiary process of criminal forces. The philanthropic feelings were also not alien to prison officials – a lot of work was invested by the inspectors in the development of trusteeship and charitable institutions, maintaining corporate identity within the prison department, expanding official relations at the all-Russian and international level. These prison officers played a significant role in the systematization of penitentiary regulations. Despite the fact that the thesis of the need for the existence of the prison inspections was questioned in official circles, it still survived the onslaught of criticism, proving the expediency and effectiveness of its activities, developed its own scenarios for functioning during the period of revolutionary unrest and social transformations.

The History of Education Development at Henry Gurney School, Malaysian Prison Department

The History of Education Development at Henry Gurney School, Malaysian Prison Department

The History of Education Development at Henry Gurney School, Malaysian Prison Department

The History of Education Development at Henry Gurney School, Malaysian Prison Department

Paul, the prisoner (Acts 23:34-35): An insight into 2018-2022 political prisoner’s rights in Zimbabwe

Undisputed letters of Paul and Acts of the Apostles are replete with details of the Gentile Missionary’s multiple imprisonments, so much as to qualify him a ‘jailbird’ description. Paul’s incarceration in Herod’s palace for 2 years (Ac 23:34–35), his arraignment before Governor Felix and subsequent detention for 5 days before plea (Acts 24) on charges of inciting public violence, being a ringleader of a cultic faction and causing disturbances in the Jerusalem Temple, resonate with the contentious arrests and imprisonment without bail and trial of members of opposition political parties in Zimbabwe. Consistent with New Testament passages that exhort caring for prisoners and the need to grant justice to those facing trial, this study seeks to understand how inmates in Zimbabwean prisons have been on the receiving end of relics of the ancient Roman Legal system in the country’s Human Rights history between 2018 and 2022. The article demonstrates how the New Testament can be deployed to grapple with distress calls emerging from Zimbabwe’s prison walls as part of advocacy for judicial reforms in the country’s quest for rule of Law. At the end, the article recommends ways in which Churches in Zimbabwe can tap from New Testament passages how to operate an effective prison ministry in liaison with the Prisons and Correctional Services Department of the Government of Zimbabwe. The article employs qualitative methods of Socio-Historical and Ethnographic Analyses to discuss how human rights pitfalls in Paul’s imprisonments present remedial lessons in Zimbabwe’s quest for judicial reforms.Contribution: Deployment of the Bible to redress Human Rights issues in Zimbabwe. Demonstration of how Early Christian Literature can dialogue with contemporary African Sitz im Leben for social transformation.

Правовая регламентация и организация деятельности пенитенциарных учреждений Саратовской губернии в конце XIX – начале XX века в контексте реализации тюремной реформы 1879 года

Introduction. In modern conditions, several promising directions in the study of the penitentiary system of the Russian Federation are being actualized. In the context of these scientific developments, the research into the historical and legal aspects of the legislative policy of late Imperial Russia to improve the organizational structure, management bodies and functioning of institutions of the penal system has become particularly relevant. Theoretical analysis. During the modernization of the penitentiary system of Russia in the late XIX – early XX centuries, laws, circulars and instructions were adopted to improve the efficiency of the management of individual places of detention of the civil department and prison guards. The legal regulation of the penal enforcement legislation made it possible to structure and improve the activities of the management, supervision and support staff of the prison department. Еmpirical analysis. It has been revealed that purposeful activities aimed at optimizing office work, establishing a correct and monotonous order of documentation, accounting and reporting in the offices of prison castles occupied an important place in the activities of the Main Prison Administration, Prison departments of the Provincial Government in the provinces. Results. During the implementation of the prison reform in the Russian Empire in 1879, a systematic modernization of the penitentiary system in the country took place. The legal regulation of the activities played the primary role in improving the management and organization of the work of all structures of the prison department, which is documented by the materials of penitentiary institutions of the Saratov province of late XIX – early XX centuries.

Does the parole program affect recidivism? Qualitative Analysis in Malaysia

Objective: the objective of this study is to identify the critical factors that present challenges and opportunities for parolees in Malaysia to avoid committing repeated crimes and reduce recidivism.Methods: the study employs a qualitative approach, using face-to-face interviews with prison officers in the state of Pahang, Malaysia, to gather data. Content analysis is used to analyse the data and identify the critical factors for parole activities in Malaysia.Results: the study identified five crucial factors that affect parole activities in Malaysia: individuals, families, communities, private institutions, and government policies. Individuals refer to the characteristics and behavior of the parolee, while families and communities relate to the support and involvement of the parolee’s family and community in the rehabilitation process. Private institutions, such as Intermediate Houses and Corporate Smart Internship (CSI), can provide support and resources for parolees, and effective government policies and practices can ensure successful reintegration into society. Further studies could investigate the specific ways in which these factors influence parole activities in Malaysia and explore best practices for reducing recidivism rates.Scientific novelty: this study contributes to the literature on parole activities in Malaysia by identifying critical factors that can impact the success of the parole system in reducing recidivism. The study provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by parolees in Malaysia.Practical significance: the findings of this study can be used by the Malaysian Prisons Department to develop effective strategies and policies to reduce recidivism rates and improve the success of the parole system. The study can also be used by other countries with similar parole systems to identify critical factors that impact the success of their parole programs.

Assessment of the Influence of Prisons Service Training Programs on Inmate’s Rehabilitation at Kisumu Maximum Prison: Kenya

Rehabilitation is composed of a number of different types of interventions, which are employed in varying degrees to provide purposeful activity for prisoners. They are to challenge offending behavior, provide basic education to tackle illiteracy and innumeracy and equip prisoners with life and work skills. The Prison Service in Kenya is charged with the task of rehabilitating inmates as they serve their sentences within the confines of the prison homes. The Prison service mandate is to contain offenders in safe custody, rehabilitate and reform them, facilitate the administration of justice, and promote prisoners' opportunities for social reintegration. It is hoped that the information obtained through the study may help come up with prison service policies for inmates and create rehabilitation programs relevant to the needs of individual inmates. This study was based on Psychoanalytic Theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The research was carried out in Kisumu Maximum prison, Kisumu County. The study uses a sample size of 25 respondents. The study concludes that inmate's rehabilitation is multi-faceted and a product of many programs, such as vocational skills training, educational programs, socio-psychological programs, and spiritual and agricultural programs, among other roles, since prisons are places of rehabilitation. The study recommends what may be adopted to enhance proper rehabilitation measures for incarcerated inmates among the offender population in Kenya. The study also proposes to institute some recommendations that would be important to the prison department, other security agencies, intelligence operatives, and other researchers in the domain of international security.

Challenges And Expectation For Implementation Of Technical And Vocational Education Training (TVET) In Malaysian Prison Institutions: A Preliminary Study

The Malaysian Prison Department offers rehabilitation programmes for inmates that include guidance and counselling, disciplinary, religious and moral education, vocational and skills training and pre-release programs before they return to society as law-abiding citizens, and the success of this program is based on the recidivism rate. Implementation of Technical dan Vocational Education Training (TVET) in the Human Development Program (PPI) depends on the professional development of the instructor and must be in line with the national level requirement. Prison vocational instructors need to possess different teaching competencies due to their unique environment. This study aimed to identify and provide a new approach for training vocational teachers according to the needs of different stakeholders such as instructors, trainers (inmates) and related parties involved in TVET training. This study used a qualitative approach to collect the data. It used a semi-structured interview strategy with the educational experts in TVET, including training module developers, teaching experts, national industrial experts, prison senior officers, NDTS coaches, NDTS trainers and NDTS coordinators. The interview was to develop in-depth knowledge to enhance the data on the important domains of teaching competencies by thematic analysis. Analysis using NVivo, this study identified five core teaching competencies challenges faced by vocational instructors in prison: planning and preparation competencies, classroom preparation competencies, carrying out professional responsibilities’ competencies; instruction competencies; and assessment competencies. This study can be useful to Prison Vocational Instructors, Prison Management and also Prison Institutions that pursue accreditation on TVET teaching and learning.
 Keywords: Teaching Competency; Education; Prison; TVET

From the History of Countering Terror against Officials of the Russian Prison Department at the turn of the 19th – 20th centuries

From the History of Countering Terror against Officials of the Russian Prison Department at the turn of the 19th – 20th centuries

The relevancy of massive health education in the Brazilian prison system: The course "health care for people deprived of freedom" and its impacts.

IntroductionBrazil has one of the largest prison populations globally, with over 682,000 imprisoned people. Prison health is a public health emergency as it presents increasingly aggravating disease rates, mainly sexually transmitted infections (STI). And this problem already affects both developed and developing nations. Therefore, when thinking about intervention strategies to improve this scenario in Brazil, the course “Health Care for People Deprived of Freedom” (ASPPL), aimed at prison health, was developed. This course was implemented in the Virtual Learning Environment of the Brazilian Health System (AVASUS). Given this context, this study analyzed the aspects associated with massive training through technological mediation and its impacts on prison health.MethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed data from 8,118 ASPPL course participants. The data analyzed were collected from six sources, namely: (i) AVASUS, (ii) National Registry of Health Care Facilities (CNES), (iii) Brazilian Occupational Classification (CBO), (iv) National Prison Department (DEPEN); (v) Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE); and the (iv) Brazilian Ministry of Health (MoH), through the Outpatient Information System of the Brazilian National Health System (SIA/SUS). A data processing pipeline was conducted using Python 3.8.9.ResultsThe ASPPL course had 8,118 participants distributed across the five Brazilian regions. The analysis of course evaluation by participants who completed it shows that 5,190 (63.93%) reported a significant level of satisfaction (arithmetic mean = 4.9, median = 5, and standard deviation = 0.35). The analysis revealed that 3,272 participants (40.31%) are health workers operating in distinct levels of care. The prison system epidemiological data shows an increase in syphilis diagnosis in correctional facilities.ConclusionsThe course enabled the development of a massive training model for various health professionals at all care levels and regions of Brazil. This is particularly important in a country with a continental size and a large health workforce like Brazil. As a result, social and prison health impacts were observed.

Capturing Incarceration: A phenomenological study of Recidivism in Convicted Women

The present study aimed to find out psychosocial determinants of recidivism in female convicts. Previous literature on recidivism suggested several psychosocial factors behind recidivism e.g. poverty, low self-esteem, personality, and familial factors (Bird, Hussain, & Joyce, 2004). However, the present study used a qualitative approach to find out psychosocial determinants of recidivism, specifically guided by the phenomenological approach. The data was collected from two women's prisons. Six (N=06) semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. The findings revealed two major themes; psychological factors (personality and social exclusion) and social factors (social demographic factors, familial factors, societal constituents, and judicial system) behind recidivism. This study is helpful for determining the underlying factors behind criminal acts and recidivism and it will help the prison department to consider these psychosocial determinants of recidivism and reentry to prisons and will also help in the psychological assessment of prisoners at their first entry to prison.

Mediating Role of Quality of Life in the Relationship between Prison Climate and Life Satisfaction

This study emphasises the importance of Quality of Life (QoL) as a bridge between prison climate and life satisfaction among Malaysian drug-abuse inmates. The respondents are given a self-administered assessment randomly selected from the list of drug-abuse inmates in a Malaysian prison. The Structural Equation Modelling in IBM-SPSS-AMOS 25.0 is applied to model and calculate the inter-relationships among the constructs in the study. The results show that QoL significantly influences drug abuse inmates' prison climate and life satisfaction and partially mediates the relation between prison climate and life satisfaction among Malaysian drug-abuse inmates. QoL is essential to fulfil drug-abuse inmates' life satisfaction during imprisonment and achieve a better life in the community after being released from prison. Hence, practical contributions are proposed to the Malaysian Prison Department for designing appropriate policies and strategies to improve prison climate and QoL for achieving drug-abuse inmates' life satisfaction since Malaysian life satisfaction has become the government's priority in the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025).

Influence of Gender on Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Recidivists: A Study of Female Inmates in Women’s Prisons in Selected Counties in Western Kenya

Women were nearly never mentioned in the history of criminal justice literature, while recidivism is one of the most fundamental concepts in the field. The high rate of female recidivism having resulted in an increasing number of people being jailed and then discharged back into society, and the high risk of re-arrest, re-incarceration has become a top priority for governments, sociologists, the general public and those included in correctional facilities. The research took place at three Western Kenya women's prisons: Kakamega Women's Prison, Bungoma Women's Prison, and Busia Women's Prison. The study's overall goal was to look into the influence of gender on female recidivists' rehabilitation and reintegration. The research was based on the following precise goal; to determine the patterns of recidivism among female prisoners in selected counties in western Kenya prisons. The study used a descriptive research approach and was based on gendered route theory and relational theory. Repeat offenders from the respective jail facilities made up the research population. To acquire the desired representation from the study population, purposive selection was performed. For this study, 150 female respondents were chosen from a target population of 240 recidivists. Questionnaires and guidelines for Key Informant Interviews were utilized to collect data. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 for windows, and the qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study emphasizes the importance of introducing alternative rehabilitation approaches such as vocational training for female recidivists having manufacturing, processing, and farming technical talents and abilities. The study provides useful information and identifies a knowledge gap that the Kenyan prisons department and stakeholders would make use of to enhance legislation and rehabilitation techniques for female inmates. Females had a greater rate of recidivism, according to the study. The survey also discovered that the available rehabilitation programs don't really match the demands of the inmates. In addition, failure by the society to accept the female ex-convicts back into the community and to offer them new opportunities for employment may result in further recidivism. Keywords: Gender, Rehabilitation, Reintegration, Recidivists, Female inmates DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-8-05 Publication date: October 31 st 2021

The Readiness for Independent Living among Incarcerated Adolescents in Malaysia: A Conceptual Paper

Each year thousands of adolescents are discharged from incarceration across the nation. The Prison Department, Malaysia shows up that most of the adolescents who were released from the incarceration period infringe again and re-entered the rehabilitation centre. The increasing number of juvenile crimes and the escalating number of adolescents with repeated offences have challenged the effectiveness of existing intervention procedures and policies. By far, the intervention programs implemented at the approved school in Malaysia are mostly based on 'one for all' orientation. All inmates have to go through the same intervention process through this practice regardless of their different cases and background. Yet, little is known on how well incarcerated adolescents are equipped with relevant knowledge and skills to ensure their readiness to integrate with the outside social world upon their release from the approved schools. Given that, their readiness to cope and adapt with their lives upon their release remains elusive. Therefore, the present paper seeks to analyze the strengths and limitations of the existing intervention programs at approved schools in Malaysia. Also, factors contributing to incarcerated adolescents' readiness to reintegrate with society and to live independently, namely, coping resources of his/her needs of support, information, and feedback to delineate the challenges lying ahead, are scrutinized and proposed to improve the existing practices.

Exploring the Personal Factors of Homeless Ex-Prisoners Who Migrated Repeatedly to Kuala Lumpur from the Perspective of Migration Theory by Everett S. Lee/ Meneroka Faktor Peribadi Gelandangan Bekas Banduan Berhijrah Secara Berulang Kali ke Kuala Lumpur dari Perspektif Teori Migrasi oleh Everett S. Lee

The concentration of homeless ex-prisoners in the capital city raises personal choice factors for them to migrate repeatedly. Kuala Lumpur is the chosen destination for migration for ex-prisoners after their release from prison. The lack of place to go makes Kuala Lumpur a destination of choice despite living as a homeless person. This qualitative study uses a phenomenological approach involving 15 homeless ex-prisoners to explore the personal factors that led them to choose Kuala Lumpur and resigned to living on the streets. The personal factors identified were self-choice, finding job, having friends, easy access to food, migrating, and being familiar with Kuala Lumpur. The study's findings have confirmed the migration factors brought about by the Migration Theory by Everett S. Lee. This study recommends that the social services and welfare agencies involved, such as the Social Welfare Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and the Prisons Department, to implement more comprehensive and consistent interventions towards assisting homeless ex-prisoners via necessary services, welfare, and appropriate social support.

The Role of the Public in Prison Transformations of the 19th Century in Russia

Introduction: the article examines the circumstances that promoted the activity of social forces of the 19th century in improving prison life and re-socialization of persons released from prison. The article describes the areas of public activity aimed at the transformation of prisons in the Russian Empire and the impact of this activity on the improvement of the execution of sentences in the form of imprisonment. We analyze the activities of the Guardianship Society for Prisons, Patronage Societies and other non-governmental structures. We assess the role of the public in the development of domestic legislation and law enforcement practice and analyze errors and omissions that occurred. Methods: the study is based on the axiological approach. Finding a solution to the research problem was facilitated by the use of general philosophical principles of dialectics and special methods of cognition: systematic, formal-legal, sociological, etc. Results: the ideas of the Age of Enlightenment contributed to the manifestation of social activity, in the public consciousness there emerged a thought about the necessity to abandon the cruelty of punishment. The organization of patronage is a necessary condition for the transformation of prisons. Discussion: it is noteworthy that in the works of different historical periods, we can find common views and negative assessments of the activities of non-governmental entities of the pre-revolutionary period associated with the prison department. Conclusions: the activity of the public in the field of transformation of correctional institutions cannot be considered faultless. However, the number of its critical assessments is so large that there is no need to increase it; anyway, this cannot change anything. From an axiological point of view, it is much more important to identify what is valuable for social practice: it stimulated the development of public initiative in addressing the issues related to punishment and its execution, the establishment of new public formations that aimed their activities at providing assistance to those released from prison, organizing the execution of sentences against minors, the removal of children of convicts from prisons and the establishment of shelters for them, etc. Keywords: Public; Enlightenment era; Guardianship Society for Prisons; patronage societies; societies for agricultural colonies and craft shelters; academic community; prison; prison transformations; prison reform; prisoners; rehabilitation; juvenile offenders; international congresses

Освещение деятельности судебных палат Российской империи и органов тюремного ведомства на страницах «Журнала Министерства юстиции»

The article examines the «Journal of the Ministry of Justice» as a source for the study of the judicial authorities and the bodies of the prison department of the Russian empire in the second half of the 19th and early 20th century. This journal played a significant role in the preparation and implementation of judicial reform in the country, placing, in particular, legislation, orders of the Ministry of Justice, materials of judicial practice, scientific articles. The magazine reflected the political course and attitude of the autocracy towards the reform of the judicial and prison departments.

The Level of Family Social Support Among Parolees in Malaysia

Family harmonious and willingness to accept after-released prisoners affect positively on their rehabilitation and well-being. Considering that, this study aims to measure the social support level of parolees received from their families in Malaysia. Hence, quantitative survey was conducted using cross-sectional design for sampling. A total of 280 parolees were under supervision program by Prison Department in Peninsular Malaysia had been selected as respondents. The data obtained and analyzed using descriptive analysis. The study found that parolees received social support as follows: 54.6 per cent moderate, 37.5 per cent high level, and 7.9 per cent low level. The parolees found rehabilitation process as encouraging as well as motivational to re-integrate them in a society. This paper also discuss some suggestions for optimizing family social support for ex-prisoners towards becoming someone who are more independent and valuable to their family and society in the future.

Profil dan Pengalaman Menggunakan Dadah dan Keterlibatan Jenayah Dalam Kalangan Banduan Melayu di Malaysia

The problem of drug use and crime worries many people as it threatens the well-being, harmony and security of the country and society. Over the years, this problem has been often associated with Malays compared to other ethnics. This study aims to identify the profiles and experiences of drug use and crime among Malay offenders. The study was conducted using a quantitative cross-sectional survey. A total of 301 Malay offenders who were charged for drug-related offences and serving their sentences in the Malaysian Prison Department were selected to participate in the study. The study has found that the majority of offenders involved in drug use and crime offences are young people aged 21-39 years old, unmarried, attained at least lower and/or upper secondary education SRP/SPM, employed prior to custody, and had income below than RM3,850 per month (B40). Based on their experiences of drug use, most offenders reported that they obtain drugs from the dealers and the average age of first drug use is between 30 to 35 years old. Methamphetamine is a popular drug used by majority of Malay offenders, and it is due to incredible enjoyment and peer pressure. The study also reported offenders spent between RM50 and RM100 to buy drugs in a day. Based on the experiences of crime, most of offenders reported to commit crimes at least twice a week and preferred to commit crime alone than in groups. The type of crime offences reported by most of Malay offenders are drug dealing, theft and burglary instead of drug use. Findings of this study have implications for the implementation of effective intervention and management offenders in terms of providing counseling services, skills, education, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation among offenders.