Release on parole: problems and tendencies

Nowadays, the release on parole is one of the most widespread grounds for the release from serving a sentence; it holds the second place among all the grounds for release from the places of confinement. Release on parole is possible in three types of punishment: deprivation of freedom for a fixed period, life imprisonment and confinement in a disciplinary military unit. Among all the inmates sentenced to the above punishments, the number of those sentenced to a deprivation of freedom for a fixed period prevails. According to recent statistics, both the absolute number of those released from the places of confinement on parole and the share of those released on all the grounds have been decreasing. It would be wrong to explain this tendency by disadvantages in the court system connected with the disagreements between the courts and administrations of correctional institutions and their decreasing role in the correction of inmates. We should concentrate on two main reasons. Firstly, the deterioration of population in the places of confinement can be explained by the fact that only dangerous criminals are sentenced to real terms of imprisonment. Secondly, the changes in criminal and penal legislation have considerably limited the possibilities for the release on parole (those sentenced to corrective labor and some other punishments cannot be released on parole; the terms of imprisonment necessary for the release on parole in relation to some categories of inmates have been increased; the range of circumstances to be considered by the court when releasing on parole has been extended etc.) Taking into account the fact that a release on parole is the most significant element of the so-called 'progressive" system of serving a sentence, the proposals to spread this institution beyond the limits of deprivation of liberty, even to compulsory works deserve special attention. The right of the administrations of correctional institutions to initiate a release on parole and the extension of functions of supervising committees would encourage the realization of the above system of punishment.

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