Probation and the "Zigzags" of the State's Criminal Policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan: Problems and Solutions

The article discusses the key issues related to the current state of probation in the legislation and law enforcement practice of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The prerequisites for its formation are analyzed and an attempt is made to answer the question: why is probation, which Kazakhstan has become a "pioneer" in the Eurasian legal space, in a state of crisis that threatens the possibility of its further successful development. The author pays attention to the problem of the lack of a unified conceptual approach to understanding the essence of probation, which is relevant not only for the Republic of Kazakhstan, but also for the Russian Federation. The issue of possible development of the probation service in Kazakhstan as a way to overcome its crisis is being considered. Based on the results of the study, the author draws conclusions about the need for a universal conceptual approach to understanding the essence of probation, as well as the expediency of creating an independent state body – the Probation Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan.