OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE PENITENTIARY SYSTEM OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN THE OPERATIONAL-SEARCH ACTIVITIES

Abstract

The article analyzes the use of penitentiary institutions of the Russian Empire in ensuring the state security. Certain aspects of the operational-search activities at the places of deprivation of liberty are considered.

The inner intelligence service itself and the prison system in general were the parts of the same agency – Ministry of Internal Affairs. It simplified the order of interaction between them, in particular in the recruiting process of the agents.  The use of the secret agents has always been the core method of the operational-search and counter-intelligence activities. It is based on the psychological process of communication. The strong emotional stress and weakening the control over the behavior in custody contributed to the successful recruitment of the secret agents. For that purpose, the system of manipulation by the mental state of prisoners, as well as weakening of their resistance will in dealing with search-operational personnel, was developed in prisons. In particular, when in 1909 the revision of the prison libraries was done, it is revealed, that the preference was given to the literature of the semi-pornographic content.

Along with the institutionalization of counterintelligence, which was carried out at this time, there were changes in the treatment of the inmates and detainees. At the beginning it was considered as a punishment combined with other types of punishment, then it had already performed a preventive function. Specificity of the mental state of the detainees was also actively used in conducting inquiries. Thus, the penitentiary institutions of the Russian Empire passed the evolution from the institutions of the execution of sentences to the important structural unit for the provision of counter-intelligence in the country.