Life imprisonment in Russia, America

The ban on the death penalty in Russia has been in effect for more than twenty years. Since it was abolished, life imprisonment became the highest penalty for criminal offenses. At first, experts believed that because of this decision, there would not be enough room for prisoners in Russian prisons. However, their fears were not justified. From 1997 to 2015, the whole sentence of life imprisonment was heard by about 1,300 defendants. It is believed that those sentenced who do not reconcile with this type of punishment live no more than three to seven years. There is information on 15 suicides among life-members in the last decade.

Prisons, where they serve a life sentence

In the past, this punishment was used as an alternative to the death penalty - as a pardon. In turn, life imprisonment was replaced by milder terms - 15 or 20 years imprisonment. Prisoners serve their sentence in the following prisons: "Black Dolphin", "Polar Owl", "White Swan", "Vologda Pyatak", "Mordovian Zone". Of course, all these names are informal.

Conditions in which convicts are held

Getting into correctional institutions, in the first ten years the prisoner has the right to only two short visits with relatives and one transfer. This very meeting takes place in the presence of the guards, and the prisoner shares a glass with his relatives - they can communicate only through a telephone receiver. If after the lapse of the first ten years there is still some one of the relatives or friends of the prisoner, who is ready to visit him, then to these two short appointments are added two more, the duration of which is three days. In addition, a prisoner may, in addition to one parcel, receive two more a year. In another twenty years, three short and three long dates are added to this number, as well as four more parcels. However, all these additions occur purely theoretically.

Why can not I get what the law promised

There are several reasons for this. The first of these is the conditions for keeping prisoners for life. They are in high-security colonies. In order to receive all the additional visits and the opportunity to receive parcels from relatives, the prisoner must be able to never violate the rules established by the administration. However, in practice it is practically impossible to do this, because even those cases when prisoners do not have time to do cleaning in the cell are equated with violations. If the serving life imprisonment does not greet the correctional officer, a penalty may be imposed on him.

In addition, when the first decade of life imprisonment comes to an end, spouses usually acquire new families, mothers grow old and die, and children forget about the prisoner. Practically in all prisons, the regime of the day is practically the same. At 6 am, there is an ascent, in 10 - a retreat. In the morning, there is charging and cleaning, breakfast. If the correctional institution is allowed to work - this is a great success for the prisoner. In this case, he has more chances to avoid mental and physical degradation. In some of the colonies, watching TV programs that have been approved by the administration is allowed. In cameras almost everywhere is video surveillance. Prisoners are being moved around the facility with blindfolded eyes.

Density of population in the cells

There is one more test that falls to the share of a life imprisonment serving life in Russia. This is a stay for many years with the same people. It must be said that in some prisons, in one cell, relatives often serve time: for example, father and son, or brothers. For example, there are seven such chambers in the "Black Dolphin" colony. And even after some time, the sitters ask them to resettle to avoid quarrels. Strange people are even harder with each other for years. However, in some cases sentenced to life imprisonment serve time in solitary confinement. It is difficult to say what is more painful - from day to day and year after year to see the same person or stay alone all the time.

The Vologda Pyatak Colony

One of the well-known prisons, where prisoners are serving their term, is a prison with the unofficial name "Vologda Pyatak". For the history of this institution hundreds of convicts were killed here. There is a prison in the Kirillo-Novoozersky Monastery on the island of Ognenny in the Vologda region.

According to legend, this monastery was founded by the Monk Cyril Bely, who saw a fiery pillar above the island. In the correctional institution the same temple was turned after 1917, when it began to contain the enemies of the Soviet regime. In 1994 the prison of life imprisonment was opened here. Among the inhabitants of this colony are the most cruel criminals: serial killers, terrorists and even cannibals. Employees of the administrative staff of the colony do not believe in the possibility of re-education or correction of these prisoners.

Tight Prison Rules

"Vologda Pyatak" today is one prison with the most brutal orders. Any action here occurs only on the permission of the administration staff. Sentenced to life imprisonment here can not hold mass events. There are no competitions, no TV programs, no training in the "Vologda Pyatak". Prisoners here, except for mental disorders, are often ill with tuberculosis - in the infirmary of the colony there are always about 20-30 patients.

Colony "Polar Owl"

Another well-known penitentiary institution for the lifelong is the Polar Owl colony. This prison, where life imprisonment is also practiced in Russia, is located in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. Here there are convicts from the 70s of the XX century. It also sends dangerous criminals - serial killers, recidivists. The prison is designed for 464 prisoners. Here the terrible criminal - Alexander Pichushkin is serving his sentence. He is also known as the "Beatz maniac," who killed 48 innocent people, while he was determined to bring the number of his victims to 64.

Local residents testify that the mortality rate in this colony is very high. This is due both to the harsh conditions of the prison and to the harsh climate. After all, winter in these parts lasts all twelve months.

"Black Dolphin" and "White Swan" - prisons for prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment

"Black dolphin" is a correctional institution, within which the strictest rules are observed. And there are grounds for this: those who were sentenced to life imprisonment for the most terrible deeds are serving their term here. The prison received its name because of the statue of a dolphin, which is located at its gate. It was built in 1774 for those who were sentenced to hard labor for the rest of their days. Later in the prison was a concentration camp, as well as a colony where people with tuberculosis were kept. At one time, the "Black Dolphin" was a prison of the NKVD. Now it is a prison of life imprisonment for murderers and terrorists. The treatment with them is the strictest. When the camera is opened, the convict must stand in a pose called "Swallow" - bend down, spread his hands to the sides, spread out his fingers, open his mouth. This is necessary in order to immediately see that the prisoner does not have dangerous items hidden in his mouth or in his hands.

The prison "White Swan" is known for the fact that in it have folded their crowns dozens of "thieves-in-law". Some believe that it got its name because of the walls painted in white. Others are sure that the reason was the statuettes of swans, which can be found on the territory of this colony. And also there is an option that says: the prison "White Swan" got its name because of the position in which prisoners can move around the camp. They should bend at an angle of 90 degrees and fold their hands behind their backs. Especially dangerous criminals are also held in this prison.

Features of the law and the terms of life imprisonment

There is an interesting feature in the Russian legislation. Women, as well as people over 65 years old, never receive life imprisonment. Lifetime imprisonment for women is an excuse that has always provoked numerous controversies. After all, one can not ignore the view that terrible crimes can not be justified by belonging to the sex or physiological characteristics.

Life imprisonment in America

In different countries, there are different patterns of conviction in accordance with local jurisdiction. For example, life imprisonment in America is always summarized. This means that a person can be awarded one, two, and three life terms. But this process has a practical side. After all, after 30 years of imprisonment, you can apply for early release. The same prisoners, who have several life sentences, can not do this.