Man and the social system are the eternal confrontation of rules, instincts and innovation. Going against the system, introducing something new and useful is good, but there are situations when, speaking out against norms and rules, a person creates dangerous incidents and ends up in penitentiary institutions. These are special institutions that are designed to correct the individual, limiting the time from society.
Penitentiary system
Before answering the question about what a prison is, it’s worthwhile to talk a bit about the system to which it belongs. The penitentiary system is a socio-legal institution designed to carry out criminal punishments, which include both imprisoning the perpetrator and holding him in custody for a while before the judicial investigation. This system performs two main functions in society: punitive and prevention of relapse.
The main goal of the penitentiary system is to protect society by preventing the likelihood of crime. And this can be achieved if a person who has served his sentence returns to society prepared and willing to voluntarily follow the rules and can ensure his existence. Preparation for legal life in society is carried out by penitentiary institutions. This is a kind of correctional and educational base for criminals.
Varieties
Simply put, prisons are places of limited freedom for offenders. To date, the following organizations operate in the system:
- State and local executive bodies that oversee the execution of sentences.
- Execution institutions.
- Pre-trial detention centers, enterprises whose activities are based on the work of convicts, research, medical or educational institutions that relate to the penal system.
General characteristics
It is worth noting that all organizations that perform a punitive function are defined by the Criminal Executive Code, have charters and regulations, according to which they must act. Their main goal is not only to punish, depriving of freedom, but also to correct illegal behavior.
In general, such institutions include: penitentiary inspections, medical correctional organizations, educational and settlement colonies, strict and general regime colonies, pre-trial detention centers, detention centers and prisons. That is, all organizations where offenders serve their sentences in the form of physical, socially useful work and are deprived of their liberty can be considered as institutions of the penitentiary system.
Social work
In institutions of this type, offenders carry out a number of special works that will help to improve. Firstly, it is physical labor, and secondly, social work. According to the Criminal Code, there are 6 main areas in which the penitentiary system should work in order to correct offenders. In each direction, social work can be traced; however, it should be perceived as a separate element of the corrective order.
Social work in penitentiary institutions is not a means that helps to embark on the true path. It only makes this process possible and successful, while protecting the interests of prisoners. The essence of the work is to maintain social ties with the outside world, so that after liberation a person can adapt faster and easier. Particular attention is paid to the usefulness of these relationships. If they have a negative influence, then the social worker can simply ignore them, protecting the prisoner from them. It is also worth noting that social work does not end after the conclusion, it continues for some time, until complete socialization.
The main task of a social worker is to find, develop and maintain socially useful relationships. In particular, they pay attention to prisoners who do not have a close circle of friends or relatives, and his company can have a negative impact. Interest groups are looking for such offenders, help with employment, and change their social circle.
Prisons are correctional labor organizations where people who commit a crime are located. In places of deprivation of liberty , intensive work is being carried out to correct malefactors, from labor education to social support. The main goal of such institutions is to release into the society socially literate and interested in their future individuals who can realize that a crime will always be followed by punishment.