Exile on Penal Servitude in the Russian Empire in the 19th Century: Some Aspects of Applying

• Main Authors: Aleksandr A. Krymov, Alexey V. Rodionov, Andrey P. Skiba
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava 2017
• Subjects: exile; penal servitude; Russian Empire; prison system; History (General); D1-2009; Penal; Sakhalin; Siberia
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/9fc26ab67b1e4fc4958449d0dd1ed38a

The results of the research of the main features of the execution of criminal penalties in the form of exile on servitude in the Russian Empire in the 19th century are presented in the article. The study was based on the use of narrative, comparative and historically-genetic methods of scientific research. The information base of the research includes acts, analytical and statistical data that concern exile on servitude in the Russian Empire, published in Russian and foreign scientific literature before 1917 and in the modern period. Main positions of the “Exile Statute” from 1882 and the appropriate law enforcement practice were analysed. The cause and consequences of the abolition of exile on servitude as a kind of penalty for criminals in the central provinces of the Russian Empire were determined. The features of the servitude organization, the discharge system of arrived to prison convicts’ classification were analysed. The legal framework and features of the regulation and organization of labour of convicts in the first half of the XIX century in the newly annexed western parts of the Russian Empire were studied. Largely, that exile on servitude in the Russian Empire in the studied period should be regarded as a significant socio-economic phenomenon that has had a great impact on the development of the country. Generally, it concerns the colonization of Siberia, the Far East and Sakhalin Island. Historical experience, gained during the development of the exile on servitude institution in pre-revolutionary Russia is essential and requires its consideration today. It was determined that a significant change of infrastructure, communications and information capabilities improve the relevance of the question of the return to the historical experience of the application of exile on servitude as one of the types of punishment, not related to incarceration.