“Breivik’s Syndrome” in the Tobolsk Prison Castle

Abstract

In article on the example of the Tobolsk prison castle attempts of introduction of the European values to system of serving of punishments in the Russian history are considered. In the center of authors attention — reaction of criminal and political prisoners to an imprisonment humanization. Authors have proved regularity: attempts of introduction of the European values in the Tobolsk prison castle were perceived concluded as weakness of the state and administrative power and caused new requirements; the prison became uncontrollable, and each stage of a humanization came to an end with the tragedy. On the other hand, the refusal of the European approaches stabilized a situation in prison. In article the reasons of this phenomenon are analyzed, economic and cultural and historical conditions for reforming of prisons in Russia and Europe are compared. Authors emphasize that when reforming prisons on the European sample in Russia the meaning of criminal penalty as conditions of keeping of prisoners were sometimes better than in what there lived the poorest part of the Russian society was lost. Article is constructed on comparison of penitentiary policy of the imperial government and Soviet power; it is emphasized that Bolsheviks, having come to the power, have considered experience of pre-revolutionary Russia and have originally refused the European principles of the organization of prisons. Meanwhile, return to the European principles of a humanization of prison in the period of “Khruschev’s thaw” has led to the same negative processes which happened in prison during the pre-revolutionary period. In article the idea is introduced that in culture of the Russian people there is a side of both a humanization, and admissible state repression. Authors come to a conclusion that the unreasoned transformations of the penitentiary sphere which aren’t considering cultural features of the country, mentality and financial position of the people can weaken trust to the power.