Problematique Issues of Motivation for Law-Abiding Behavior in Convicts Serving Their Sentences Under Strict Conditions of Detention

• Main Authors: Suchkova E.L., Shtefan E.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Moscow State University of Psychology and Education 2019-12-01
• Series: Психология и право
• Subjects: convicted; mode; malicious offender; strict conditions of serving a sentence; deformation of justice; prison subculture
• Online Access: https://psyjournals.ru/en/psyandlaw/2019/n4/Suchkova_Shtefan.shtml

The article discusses the issues of psychological work with convicts who are malicious violators of the sentence serving regime. It is emphasized that this group of persons presents a particular problem for the correction process given it counteracts the normal functioning of the correctional institution. Based on the analysis of interview data (20 convicted men in a detachment with strict conditions for serving sentences, 15 employees whose activities are directly related to convicts of this category), the major categories of convicts serving sentences in strict conditions are identified. The assumption was confirmed that the majority of persistent violators are ideological follower of the prison subculture, but at the same time they seek to justify their behavior with adverse life circumstances. The measures necessary for working with this group of convicts are discussed, with the aim of activation of the law-abiding attitude.