The ban on the death penalty in Russia is already in forcemore than twenty years. Since its abolition, life imprisonment has been the highest penalty for criminal offenses. At first, experts believed that because of this decision, there would not be enough space in the Russian prisons for prisoners. However, their fears were not justified. From 1997 to 2015, about 1,300 defendants heard the entire sentence of life imprisonment. It is believed that those sentenced who do not accept this type of punishment live no more than three to seven years. There is information about 15 suicides among life inmates over the past decade.

Prisons where a life sentence is served
In the past, this punishment was applied asalternatives to the death penalty - as pardon. In turn, life imprisonment was replaced by more lenient terms - 15 or 20 years in prison. Prisoners are serving sentences in the following prisons: "Black Dolphin", "Polar Owl", "White Swan", "Vologda penny", "Mordovskaya zone". Of course, all these names are informal.
Conditions in which convicts are kept
Getting into correctional facilities firstFor ten years, a prisoner has the right to only two short visits with relatives and one transfer. This meeting itself takes place in the presence of guards, and the prisoner shares the glass with his relatives - they can only communicate through a telephone receiver. If, after the first ten years, there still remains one of the relatives or friends of the prisoner who is ready to visit him, then two more dates are added to these two short visits, the duration of which is three days. In addition, the prisoner may, in addition to one package, receive two more per year. After another twenty years, three short and three long dates, as well as four more parcels, are added to this number. However, all these additions are purely theoretical.

Why can not get the promised law
There are several reasons for this.The first of these is the living conditions of life prisoners. They are in strict regime colonies. For the same, in order to get all the additional dates and the opportunity to receive parcels from relatives, the prisoner must be able to never break the rules set by the administration. However, in practice, it is practically impossible to do this, because even cases when prisoners do not have time to clean the cell are equated to violations. If the person serving a life sentence does not greet the prisoner, a penalty may be applied to him.
Moreover, when the first decade of lifethe conclusions are coming to an end, spouses usually acquire new families, mothers age and die, and children forget about the prisoner. In almost all prisons, the daily routine is almost the same. At 6 in the morning there is a rise, at 10 - hang up. In the morning, charging and cleaning, breakfast. If work is allowed in a correctional facility, it is a great success for the prisoner. In this case, he is more likely to avoid mental and physical degradation. In some colonies allowed to watch TV programs that have been approved by the administration. In cameras almost everywhere video surveillance is conducted. Blindfolded prisoners move around the facility.

Population density in cells
There is another test that falls onshare serving a life sentence in Russia. This stay for many years with the same people. It must be said that in some prisons in the same cell, relatives often serve their sentences - for example, father and son, or brothers. For example, in the Black Dolphin colony there are seven such cells. And even after some time, they have been asked to resettle them in order to avoid quarrels. It’s even harder for strangers to be with each other for years. True, in some cases, life-sentenced prisoners serve time in solitary confinement. It is difficult to say that it is more painful - to see the same people day after day and year after year or to be left alone all the time.

Colony "Vologda penny"
One of the famous prisons where they serve their sentencesprisoners, is a prison with the unofficial name "Vologda penny." The history of this institution here killed hundreds of convicts. The prison is located on the territory of the Cyril-Novoozersky monastery on the island of Fire in the Vologda region.
According to legend, this monastery was foundedRev. Cyril White, who saw the pillar of fire over the island. The temple was turned into a correctional institution after 1917, when it began to contain the enemies of the Soviet regime. In 1994, the same prison was opened for life imprisonment. Among the inhabitants of this colony are the most brutal criminals: serial killers, terrorists, and even cannibals. Employees of the administrative staff of the colony do not believe in the possibility of re-education or correction of these prisoners.

Hard prison rules
"Vologda penny" today - one of the prisons with the mostcruel orders. Any actions here take place only with the permission of the administration staff. Sentenced to life imprisonment here can not hold mass events. No competitions, no TV viewing, no training in the Vologda Penny Coal is not conducted. In addition to mental disorders, prisoners here often suffer from tuberculosis - about 20-30 patients are always in the colony's hospital.

Colony "Polar Owl"
Another well-known correctional facility forfor life - the colony "Polar Owl". This prison, where life imprisonment is also practiced in Russia, is located in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. Here are convicts from the 70s of the twentieth century. Here also send dangerous criminals - serial killers, repeat offenders. The prison is designed for 464 prisoners. A terrible criminal is serving his term here - Alexander Pichushkin. He is also known as the “Bittsevsky maniac”, which killed 48 innocent people, while he intended to bring the number of his victims to 64.
Local residents indicate that the mortality rate in this colony is very high. This is due to both the harsh prison conditions and the harsh climate. After all, winter in these parts lasts all twelve months.
"Black Dolphin" and "White Swan" - prison for life sentences
"Black Dolphin" - a correctional institution,within which the strictest rules are followed. And there are grounds for this: those who have been given life sentences for the most terrible acts are serving their sentences here. The prison got its name because of the statuette of a dolphin, which is located at its gate. It was built in 1774 for those who were sentenced to hard labor until the end of their days. Later in the prison there was a concentration camp, as well as a colony, where people with tuberculosis were kept. At one time, the Black Dolphin was a prison of the NKVD. Now it is a life sentence prison for murderers and terrorists. Handling them is the strictest. When the camera opens, the convict must stand in a pose called “Swallow” - bend down, open his arms to the sides, spread his fingers, open his mouth. This is necessary in order to immediately see that the prisoner has no dangerous objects hidden in his mouth or in his hands.
The White Swan Prison is known for itsDozens of “thieves in law” have put down their crowns. Some believe that it got its name from the walls, painted white. Others believe that the reason was the statuettes of swans, which can be found on the territory of this colony. There is also an option that says: the White Swan prison got its name because of the posture in which prisoners can move around the camp. They should bend at a 90 degree angle and fold their arms behind their backs. This prison also contains especially dangerous criminals.

Features of the law and terms of life imprisonment
There is an interesting feature in the Russianlegislation. Women, as well as people over 65, never receive a life sentence. Life imprisonment for women is a reason that has always caused many disputes. After all, it is impossible not to take into account the opinion that terrible crimes cannot be justified by belonging to the floor or by physiological features.
Life sentence in america
Different countries have different orders.convictions in accordance with local jurisdiction. For example, life imprisonment in America is always cumulative. This means that a person can be awarded one, two, and three life sentences. But this process has a practical side. Indeed, after 30 years of imprisonment, you can apply for parole. Those prisoners who have multiple life sentences cannot do this.