Religious condition of society as the factor defining the development of penal policy and penal legislation

The question of the analysis of reasons and conditions defining the development and functioning of legislative system is a topical one both in the theory of law and in branch legal sciences. A religious condition of society acts as one of the social factors defining the development of penal policy and legislation. Under modern market conditions, the work of convicts gradually loses its significance. In this regard, it is necessary to increase the educational potential of punishment including a religious enlightenment of convicts by means of religious organizations. In pre-revolutionary Russia, religious education was considered an integral part of work with convicts. During the Soviet period of development of our state, there were openly hostile relations between the state and church that resulted in extrusion of religion out of public life and consequently, the life of convicts serving sentence in the form of imprisonment. The situation began to change in the late eighties when the process of gradual return of religion into social - cultural life of the population and increase of its importance in everyday life started. Now, in the context of international policy concerning prisoners, religious impact on convicts is considered a part of modern penal policy in the Russian Federation. This finds its reflection in current penal legislation and the changes made to it, the Concept of development of penal correction system until 2020, and in various manifestations of cooperation between the penal correction system and centralized religious organizations registered in accordance with the established procedure. Realization of spiritual and moral potential of prison ministration of representatives of traditional religions of Russia in the course of counteraction to proselytism and recruitment of adherents of Neopaganism, radical Islam, pseudo-religious extremism and terrorism, as well as prevention of their negative impact on convicts becomes the most important activity of religious organizations. Taking into account the achieved level of participation of religious organizations in correction of convicts, it is possible to conclude that although law does not regulate religious impact it is a very effective cure of convicts and one of the factors, which influences the penal policy and legislation of the Russian Federation.

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