Under penal law punishment is a measure of state compulsion of persons guilty of committing a crime. It is also a measure of crime prevention. The purpose of penal law is not only to punish but also to reform convicted persons, to help them become law-abiding citizens.
In our country a person is criminally responsible at the age of 16 as a rule, and at the age of 14 if he committed a grave crime. Criminal punishment is imposed only by a sentence of a court.
The basic punishments in our country are: deprivation of liberty, fine, compulsory labour, corrective labour, disqualification from a specific office or activity, arrest, restriction of liberty, deprivation of liberty or other specific rank. There are special punishments in relation to military personnel. Capital punishment – a death sentence is not applied in our country.
Deprivation of liberty is applied for a period of time from 6 months up to 30 years. Adult offenders serve their sentences of deprivation of liberty in corrective (penal) colonies. Juvenile delinquents serve their sentences in educational colonies. The most dangerous offenders serve their sentences in prisons.
If a prisoner makes progress he may be conditionally released before completing the sentence.
VI. Do the following exercises: