Prevention of group crimes committed in correctional institutions
In the article, the author considers such an important social problem as group crime of convicts serving sentences in correctional institutions. The purpose of this study was to analyze measures to prevent this category of crime. The object of the study was a group of convicts of criminal (negative) orientation. Research methods: statistical (based on official data on crime); comparative (analysis of crime in Russia and the Penal system); comparative analysis of Russian legislation. The objectives of the study were: to consider the reasons for the formation of groups of convicts; to study the determinants of crimes committed by convicts as part of a group; to assess the existing level of crime of organized criminal groups in places of deprivation of liberty; to determine general and individual preventive measures of group crime of convicts. In the course of the analysis of criminal activity of groups of convicts, it was found that crimes committed in society directly affect crimes in places of detention. The consolidation of convicts into groups of negative orientation can develop into the formation of organized criminal groups with a pronounced leader and hierarchical structure. Crimes committed by organized criminal groups of convicts have already stable character and a very high level of public danger. As part of the group, convicts often commit the following crimes: drug trafficking, fraud, causing harm to health of varying severity, murder, mass riots, actions that disorganize the activities of the correctional institution, escapes. The prevention of group crimes in places of detention is important for the normal functioning of a correctional institution. The reasons for committing crimes as part of a group can be very diverse. The analysis of scientific literature and empirical sources allowed us to identify the following determinants of group crimes: following informal norms of behavior, increasing the authority of the group, the inability to commit a crime alone, the ability to avoid criminal responsibility by one or more members of the group, selfish reasons, and coercion by other convicts. The activities of correctional officers to prevent group crimes are traditionally carried out in two main areas: preventive activities in relation to a group (one) of convicts and preventive activities related to the conditions of serving a sentence, when the commission of crimes becomes simply impossible. In conclusion, the author provides a short list of preventive measures for group crime of convicts.