Forced Labor: Reality and Prospects

The article analyzes the criminal legislation in terms of regulating the imposition of punishment in the form of forced labor as an alternative to imprisonment for a certain period. A brief historical overview is presented, illustrating the initial ambiguity of the legislative approach to the introduction of this punishment. The article considers the imperfect procedure for assigning forced labor, which deprives it of independence and presentability and hinders its practical application. In view of the current trends in liberalizing sentencing, that do not involve isolation from society, forced labor needs to be clarified in order to expand its use. In addition, the text introduces problems associated with the re-profiling of correctional institutions that function as correctional centers, located near correctional colonies where convicts serve their sentences. The authors suppose this situation may cause the emergence of criminal groups, and it will not fully contribute to the goals of correction. The paper reveals formal approach of the legislator to the reform of the penal system in terms of introducing alternative punishments to imprisonment, which does not meet modern realities and expectations of the society.