IMAGE OF A PENAL OFFICER: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT
The article examines the factors influencing the process of forming the image of the penal system in general and penal officers in particular. Various approaches to the concept of «image» are analyzed, in which it is associated with the image of a person that appears from the point of view of other people; a psychological mask that a person puts on himself in order to make a positive impression; stereotype, representation. The reasons why the image of penal officers is negative in the media, works of art and public opinionare revealed. The features of the formation of a professional and personal image are analyzed. The article retraced the historical retrospective of the formation of the «officer's image». The article describes the normative legal acts containing the requirements for the personality and behavior of employees of the penitentiary system of our country. The results of a research concerning the image of a penal officerare presented, in which randomlychosenordinary citizens, cadets of Samara Law Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia and current employees of the penitentiary system took part. Based on the results obtained, conclusions are drawn on how to form a positive professional image of both employees of the penal system in general and the commanding staff in particular. The results are of practical importance and can be used in the process of training employees for the penal system.