Juvenile Correctional Asylum at the St. Nicholas Monastery on the Black Sea: History of the Opening and Problems of Organization

Abstract

Introduction. Modern criminal and penal legislation for juveniles who have committed grave and especially grave crimes most often considers imprisonment the only form of punishment. One instrument of state policy in the second half of the 19th century in this area was the active involvement of monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church. It was assumed that they were to become the leading body in combating and preventing juvenile delinquency.
Materials and methods. Materials of a number of different historical documents were used, as well as historical, descriptive and comparative methods of scientific research allowing to establish cultural and historical factors.
Results. The Russian Empire was one of the first countries in the world to initiate the development of juvenile legislation and to experiment with a system of correctional institutions involving public organizations. It is possible to achieve positive results in prevention and correctional activities only with broad public involvement, training of inmates of shelters
in demanded professions in the labor market, a combination of various programs and religious educational practices, with close cooperation with regional executive authorities.
Discussion and conclusion. As part of the search for the optimal model for achieving the correctional effect, it is interesting to refer to the existing historical experience, when society through the Russian Orthodox Church tried to participate in the system of correctional asylums for juveniles.