As practice shows, a person who has committed a crime and ends up in “places not so remote” often manages to disrupt order there too. Special premises called punishment cells are provided especially for this category of convicts. Every prisoner knows what a punishment cell in prison is. A person serving a sentence has probably been there at least once. Law-abiding citizens are also interested in what a punishment cell in prison is. This interest is due to the fact that many people have heard this abbreviation, even those who have nothing to do with the penitentiary system. Information about what a punishment cell in a prison is, photos of the premises are presented in this article.
Introduction to the special prison section
A punishment cell in a prison is a special place for punishment. As practice shows, some prisoners behind barbed wire easily accept forced confinement. To influence such prisoners, the prison administration has to resort to extreme measures and introduce the most severe form of punishment, namely, isolate and place the offender in a punishment cell.
Explanation of a punishment cell in prison means a punishment cell. According to experts, the severity of the punishment is further aggravated by the fact that the isolated prisoner loses the right to receive a visit and a parcel. Despite the decoding, in the punishment cell prison they are also called kandey.
What do strict conditions of detention imply?
The abbreviation SUS stands for “special conditions of detention,” which are designed to significantly complicate the life of prisoners in general regime correctional colonies. Many people think that SUS is a special type of cell room. However, in reality this is not the case. We are not talking about a specific room, but rather about conditions called strict.
No prior trial is required to identify a prisoner in the SUS. The specifics of these conditions of detention are reflected in Article 121 of the Penal Code of the Russian Federation. After transfer to a strict regime, the prisoner is kept in a separate room, which is locked. As a result, the prisoner is deprived of the opportunity to move freely around the territory of the correctional institution.
While on a strict regime, the convicted person still has the right to an hour and a half walk every day. Moreover, subject to good behavior, the prison authorities can extend this time to three hours.
While at the SUS, a person receives three parcels and parcels, and can also count on three short-term and the same number of long-term visits. By comparison, regular carers receive six large and small parcels each and can count on the same number of short and long meetings with relatives. In the light mode, the number of such small human joys increases to twelve per year for each item.
The differences also concern the maximum amount of money that a prisoner can spend per month, buying at a local stall. Thus, ordinary inmates are allowed to buy goods worth 9,000 rubles per month. While on SUS, a person can spend no more than 7,800 rubles. In places of deprivation of liberty, payments are made by non-cash method - paper money is not used here.
Another limitation of the SUS is the impossibility of parole.
A little history
Since the punishment cell in a prison is a special department, the conditions of detention in which are aimed at performing only two tasks - to isolate and punish violators of the regime, it fully coped with its purpose until 1988. Until this time, the prisoner was kept in a punishment cell without bed linen or a mattress. Due to the fact that while in the punishment cell, the prisoner did not work, then, following the logic of the administration, he did not have the right to eat. For this reason, until 1988, criminals in detention centers were fed only once every two days. However, everything was approaching the collapse of the Soviet Union, the topic of human rights and freedoms, even of an inveterate criminal, became one of the most pressing. What a punishment cell in a prison is, in the full meaning of the word, those who were placed in an isolation ward during the years of the USSR know. Since 1988, human rights activists have become more active, and in 1992 a petition was filed, after which the prison administration was forced to lift many restrictions.
Today, judging by numerous reviews, the punishment cell in prison has become much more humane. Nevertheless, a number of restrictions were still left in place.
Barrack or special room
In correctional colonies of general and strict regimes, cell-type premises or PKT are provided. Such cells are located directly on the territory of the colony. Previously, PKT was called BUR, which stood for “high security barracks.” In some penal colonies this name has been retained as an unofficial name to this day.
Another type of special premises is EPKT or a single chamber-type room. This is an independent penitentiary facility, where prisoners are sent in stages.
Malicious violators of prison order are housed in EPKT and PKT, several people per room. Article 118 of the Penal Code of the Russian Federation states that the inhabitants of such cells claim only two programs per year. The same number of parcels is allowed.
While in the PKT, a prisoner can spend no more than 5,000 rubles from his account. The duration of the walk is standard and is one and a half hours a day. Provided the prisoner behaves well, the director of the correctional institution may increase this time to three hours.
In the FCT, prisoners are kept in ascetic conditions. They sleep on folding bunks, which are forbidden to be used after getting up - guards make sure that prisoners do not even sit on the bed while awake. The room has a table and benches that are firmly attached to the floor.
Behind a meter-long partition there is a bathroom. There is a fine-mesh steel grille on the window; lamps and radiators are located in niches fenced off with mesh. The walls are covered with light plaster. The floor is wooden or concrete.
Why are they put in a punishment cell?
Judging by the reviews of eyewitnesses, in order to end up in a punishment cell, it is enough to be rude to the guard. If the convict does not rise from his bed, this is already regarded as a daring act. Playing cards, which are prohibited in prison, are considered a more significant reason for punishment. In addition, they are put in a punishment cell for drunkenness and making mash. If any alcohol is found on a prisoner during a search, he is on his way to Kandei. This fate awaits a convicted person from whom prohibited items were confiscated, for example, bladed weapons, drugs, etc. It is noteworthy that food items were included in the category of prohibited items. You can end up in a punishment cell for two reprimands or a fight with another prisoner.
To end up in a punishment cell, you don’t have to be rude to a prison officer or get into a fight. People who are under judicial or preliminary investigation are placed in a punishment cell. According to experts, such a fate does not await everyone during the investigation, but only those who have been ordered by the court to be kept in custody as a preventive measure. New prisoners who arrived after the trial are also assigned to the punishment cell.
Exceptions to the rules
According to the legislation in force in Russia in 2022 (Article 117 of the Criminal Executive Code), the following cannot be placed in a punishment cell:
- Pregnant women;
- Disabled people of group 1;
- Women who have children under 3 years of age (if they are not deprived of maternal rights).
The main contingent of the punishment cell (about 90%) are young people aged 18-25 years . Due to youthful maximalism, they often put forward certain claims, for which they become the main objects of “education.”
Of these, only 10% are there legally. As a rule, these are repeat offenders and dangerous criminals who do not comply with the requirements of the administration of the correctional facility and need complete isolation from other prisoners.
About restrictions
Unlike “solitary cells,” as solitary cells are also called, a punishment cell differs in that a prisoner assigned to the isolation ward loses the opportunity to receive a visit and a parcel. The administration limits the prisoner's communication with the outside world. Mobile phones are confiscated. If a convict undergoes training, he is given notes and textbooks in the punishment cell. Without leaving the cell, he catches up on what he missed on his own. While in custody in a detention center, a prisoner does not have the right to register a legal marriage or order food. Thus, candei has a negative impact on the psychological state of the offender.
About complete social isolation
A prisoner can only be sent alone in exceptional cases. This preventive measure is considered the most stringent in places of deprivation of liberty. Moreover, solitary confinement can only be used in prisons, as specified in Article 131 of the Penal Code of the Russian Federation. At the moment, there are only two prisons operating in the Russian Federation where there are solitary confinement.
While in such a detention center, a prisoner can see relatives only twice a year during short-term visits. The prisoner is prohibited from spending money from his personal account. At the same time, it is allowed to have only the latest press, religious literature and a standard set of personal hygiene in the cell.
The most severe factor in solitary confinement is complete social isolation. The prisoner is prohibited from communicating with other prisoners, even during one and a half hour walks.
A standard solitary cell has a single bed. The window is either missing or located near the ceiling. The only source of lighting is a light bulb that burns around the clock. There is also a bathroom and a table built into the floor.
What is allowed?
Despite the fact that the conditions of detention for prisoners in a punishment cell are as strict as possible, they have the right to communicate with a priest. It could also be another clergyman, depending on the faith of the criminal. In addition, every day detainees are taken for a walk, which lasts no more than half an hour. It is noteworthy that the remaining inmates of the prison who did not end up in the punishment cell have the right to walk for 30 minutes more. Also, the prisoner is not prohibited from taking care of himself. To undergo hygiene procedures, prisoners are allowed to store the necessary means.
For minors
DIZO is a disciplinary isolation ward, a type of punishment cell, typical for educational colonies. Unlike correctional institutions, juvenile citizens serve their sentences in educational institutions.
According to Article 137 of the Penal Code of the Russian Federation, the conditions there are very similar to a punishment cell, but somewhat softened.
Article 137 of the Penal Code of the Russian Federation. The procedure for applying penalties to those sentenced to imprisonment in educational colonies
- Convicts placed in a disciplinary detention center are prohibited from long visits, telephone conversations, purchasing food and basic necessities, receiving parcels, packages and parcels, using board games and smoking. They have the right to enjoy a daily walk of two hours.
- All penalties may be applied to convicts placed in a disciplinary isolator, except for placement in a disciplinary isolator.
- For educational purposes or for medical reasons, the early release of a convicted person from a disciplinary detention center is permitted by order of the head of the educational colony or his deputy.
With the permission of the head of the correctional institution, short-term visits are allowed to a juvenile offender - but no more; parcels, parcels and telephone conversations are also prohibited.
The daily walk of prisoners in the pre-trial detention center is two hours. To continue their education, minors are allowed to have the necessary textbooks and notebooks in the detention center. But board games and cigarettes are not allowed in the DIZO.
In contrast to the maximum fifteen days in a punishment cell, you can only put the offender in a pre-trial detention center for ten days. But remember how harsh the prison authorities can be - after “resting” in a regular cell for a couple of days, the prisoner can again be sent to the isolation ward.
You can learn more about the nuances of keeping minors in educational colonies in a separate article.
How long will they be placed in isolation?
The law provides for a stay in Canada for 15 days. However, in Russian realities this period may be much higher. Often, after serving his required 15 days, the prisoner is returned back to his general cell. However, after new charges are brought, judging by the reviews of eyewitnesses, most often fabricated by the administration of the institution, the prisoner is again sent to a punishment cell. Thus, having spoiled relations with the prison management, the prisoner practically does not have to leave the punishment cell.
Deadlines and other features
Due to the extreme complexity and severity of the proposed conditions, the legislator provides a limit on the maximum period of one-time use of a punishment cell, which is limited to 15 days (7 days for minors). But at the same time, the legislator did not limit the number and permissible periods of confinement in a punishment cell. Therefore, the established period of 15 days is “conditional”, since it is enough for the administration of the institution to release the prisoner on the 15th day and a day later to “lock” him again in the isolation ward for some far-fetched reason. Based on existing practice, most often people aged 18 to 25 years end up in punishment cells, since this age category is characterized by particularly acute maximalism and unwillingness to put up with lawlessness and violation of their rights.
What is a punishment cell in prison? Description of candea
The isolation ward is a very small room with an area of no more than 9 square meters. m. In the punishment cell there is a window that is tightly closed with sheet metal or boards. There is space along the walls for folding bunks. The isolation ward is designed for a maximum of 9 people. Due to the fact that so many prisoners can gather in the punishment cell, due to the cramped conditions, they have to sit on the floor. The offenders take turns sleeping. Those who were unable to get enough sleep during the night will not be able to do so during the day, since the task of the detention center workers is to make life as difficult as possible for the violators.
If it so happens that there is only one criminal in Kandeya, then the bunks are folded up during the daytime. For this reason, the prisoner is forced to spend time on his feet during the day. Of course he can sit on the floor. In a punishment cell, an inmate is deprived of books, newspapers and magazines. You cannot take them with you to the punishment cell either. There is also no television in the punishment cell. Today, reduced nutritional standards are a thing of the past. Offenders are fed twice a day with only prison food. To transfer food, the door is equipped with a special window.
What does a punishment cell look like?
A punishment cell in a prison (punishment cell) is an inexplicably small room, usually not exceeding 9 square meters. A small window located in a punishment cell is usually covered with a piece of iron and wood.
Folding bunks are attached to both walls of the punishment cell. Since up to nine people can be in the punishment cell at a time, they have to take turns sleeping on them, while the rest are cramped and forced to sit on the floor. It is also impossible to get enough sleep during the day, since prison workers consider it their duty to “spoil” the lives of prisoners and prevent them from sleeping.
If there is only one prisoner in the punishment cell, then the bunks must be folded for the day, so he will have to spend the entire day on his feet or on the floor. In addition, according to the stories of former prisoners, the conditions in the punishment cell are rather spartan, and inside there is a constant cold temperature and dampness. Some prisoners cynically joke that the punishment cell is a prison within a prison.
So, we found out what a punishment cell is and examined the conditions of stay and the reasons why prisoners are placed there. The punishment cell is the most difficult place to serve a sentence with the most stringent conditions.
Please note that Russian legislation is constantly changing and the information we write may become outdated. In order to resolve the issue you have regarding Criminal Law, we advise you to seek the advice of a lawyer in support of the site.
What does the camera look like?
The cell in the punishment cell is quite small. This is 9 square meters.
A small window is covered with a sheet of iron. There are folding bunks on both sides.
It is believed that during the day they should be folded. But it often happens that there are up to 9 people in a punishment cell, so they take turns sleeping on these bunks.
Those who sleep during the day are usually disturbed by prison workers in every possible way. In some cases, the bunks can be folded until the evening. In this case, prisoners must stand all day.
Usually the conditions in the punishment cell are quite spartan, damp and cold.
The punishment cell in the zone is often called a prison within a prison. After all, here are the strictest conditions of detention for prisoners.
Our material describes in detail what cells look like in Russian prisons.
Carousel
In order not to break the law, the authorities release the prisoner from the punishment cell after 15 days. Otherwise, he has the right to contact his lawyer and bring the inspector himself to justice. The prisoner may have time to return to his cell or barracks for a few minutes or hours, and then he is called again and informed about the violation and sent back. In this case, we can say that the punishment cell is a carousel on which you can ride endlessly until the authorities decide to stop.
Pre-trial detention center
What is a punishment cell in a pre-trial detention center? The main functions of the pre-trial detention center include:
- preventing forgery and interference in the investigation;
- ensuring conditions to minimize the risk of hiding suspects and accused persons from the investigation and trial;
- prevention of crimes on the part of the accused and the guilty;
- ensuring the safety of persons on the territory of the institution;
- delivery of convicts to persons who have the legal right to be summoned;
- providing prisoners with the opportunity to work legally.
According to Part 2 of Art. 22 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, detention is allowed only by court decision. In his absence, no one can be detained for more than 48 hours.
In exceptional cases, they may choose a measure of imprisonment for up to 3 years if the following circumstances exist:
- the identity of the accused has not been established;
- the suspect does not have a permanent place of residence in the Russian Federation;
- the person has disappeared from the court or the preliminary investigation authorities;
- the detainee violated a previously chosen preventive measure.
Why are they put in a punishment cell in a pre-trial detention center? You can end up in a pre-trial detention center because of a rude word to the warden or if the prisoner was caught playing cards.
You can also get there for hitting on fellow inmates or simply for not getting up when the warden entered. They will also put you in solitary confinement if alcohol, homemade mash, or illegal items are found in the possession of a persistent offender.
By law, only those who can be there for health reasons are placed in a punishment cell. If a prisoner falls ill during solitary confinement, he must be released. The transfer of food to the pre-trial detention center is prohibited; walks are allowed for half an hour a day.
