There were no prisons in Ancient Russia, although the first semblance of the Criminal Code appeared at the beginning of the XI century, this is a kind of code of laws “Russian Truth”.
Those who were convicted were punished depending on the gravity of the crime committed. The death penalty, beatings, injuries.
Only in 1550 there was such a form of punishment as imprisonment and serving a term in prison.
In modern Russia, imprisonment is the only punishment. Until recently, in exceptional cases, the death penalty was practiced, but in 1996 a decision was made to abolish it.
All criminals are now being sent to prisons. There are a lot of them in the Russian Federation. They all differ in conditions of detention. This article presents a selection of 10 the most cruel prisons in Russia.
10. Vladimir Central | Vladimir
The prison became famous throughout the country after the premiere of the song of Michael Krug. Built in 1783 in the city of Vladimir. Received the status of a central prison (central) in 1906.
For a long time it was used as a place of isolation for dangerous criminals or political prisoners. The prison was famous for the harsh conditions of detention.
Since 1978, they began to use it for ordinary criminals, not political ones. Now there is a pre-trial detention center No. 1.
Famous persons who have been in custody: Vasily Stalin (son of the leader, the surname was changed), Zoya Fedorova, Lidia Ruslanova.
9. Crosses | St. Petersburg
One of the largest isolators in the country, location - St. Petersburg. It was built in 1892.
Guests of the city admit that they would never have thought that this unique historical building is nothing more than a prison.
She was named so because of the location of the prison facilities. The Crosses strictly abide by the rules for keeping prisoners. During the entire existence of the prison, three escapes were made, only one successful.
At the moment, all the prisoners in this prison have been transferred to the Kresty-2 detention center in Kolpino. The old building decided to be put up for auction.
Famous sitters: Alexander Kerensky, Joseph Brodsky, Nikolai Gumilev.
8. Sailor silence | Moscow
SIZO No. 1 of the city of Moscow. The prison received a beautiful name in honor of the street on which it is located.
The prison was built in 1775, however, at that time it was a straitjacket. In 1870 it was renamed and began to be called a prison. In 1912, new prison buildings were erected.
Six years later, Sailor Silence became a correctional institution for prisoners under the age of majority.
In 1945, the prison began to function as usual, juvenile delinquents were replaced by especially dangerous ones. In 1956, the prison was renamed to a pre-trial detention center.
In the 90s, the leaders of well-known bandit groups “sat” here. According to the latest data, overcrowding is observed in the cells of the detention center, prisoners even have to sleep in turns.
Famous personalities: Dmitry Yazov, Sergey Mavrodi, Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
7. Lefortovo prison | Moscow
Founded in 1881, the military of the Russian army were serving their sentences here. Now Lefortovo Prison has become a pre-trial detention center. Especially dangerous criminals are awaiting sentence here.
This prison has always been terrifying to Russian people, it is so famous. She was mentioned in her works by famous writers.
Lefortovo has very harsh conditions. Meetings with relatives are forbidden, until 2017 the building did not even have hot water.
To find out what really happens there is unrealistic. This is one of the most closed prisons, is under the control of the FSB.
Famous personalities serving time at Lefortovo: Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Alexander Gukovsky, Dmitry Mikhalchenko.
6. Butyrka prison | Moscow
Butyrku can be called the most famous prison in the country. Built in 1771. It is famous for the fact that many famous people were serving their sentences here. Now it is a pre-trial detention center.
The prison complex consists of two dozen buildings (3-story). In total there are 434 cameras.
In the last 20 years, several shoots have been committed, which was not during the Soviet Union. Although, perhaps, the information was simply carefully hidden. All prisoners were detained, some in hot pursuit, someone after 2 - 3 years.
Famous sittlers: Emelyan Pugachev, Felix Dzerzhinsky, Osip Mandelstam, Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
5. The Black Golden Eagle | Village Lozvinsky (Sverdlovsk region)
Location - Lozvinsky village in the Sverdlovsk region. Prisoners sentenced to long terms, including life, are serving time in prison.
It is divided into two parts. In the first, prisoners are serving their sentence, the term of which does not exceed 25 years, in the second - those who have to spend the rest of their lives here.
The conditions for prisoners from the first group are no different from the conditions in other colonies.
For criminals sentenced to life, they are completely different. They are not allowed to work, walking is also prohibited. During the day you can not lie on the beds.
Famous prisoners: Vladimir Belov and Vladimir Mirgorod (serial killers), Ilya Tikhomirov (participant in a terrorist act).
4. The Vologda nickel | Belozersk (Vologda Oblast)
Another colony for life prisoners. Located near the city of Belozersk (Vologda Oblast).
Until 1917 it was a monastery, during the revolution they began to use it as a place of confinement "for the enemies of the people." This colony contains dangerous criminals, so the conditions here are pretty harsh.
Some writers mention in their works about the “Vologda nickel”. Also, the prison is shown in many films and series. Of course, this is nothing more than fiction.
There is no information about famous personalities serving their term in the Vologda Penny. In the open lists of killers, pedophiles, killers, the organizers of gangs.
3. The polar owl | Kharp Village (Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug)
Colony for life sentenced prisoners. Location - Harp village, located in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
The village was founded in 1961, and a prison camp was also formed. They were engaged in the laying of railways.
In 2004, those who received a life sentence began to be sent here. Thanks to the scandal, the colony became famous throughout Russia. Employees of the institution “beat out” the confession, acting on the prisoners with physical and psychological methods.
Famous prisoners: Voevodin (creator of the extremist group), Pichushkin (maniac, he has 60 victims).
2. The White Swan | Solikamsk (Perm Territory)
Located in the city of Solikamsk (Perm Territory). The colony was built in 1938, it was a camp for political prisoners.
Since 1999, prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment have been sent to the colony. Pretty tough conditions.
Cells of different types: “solitary”, on two or three prisoners. However, the conditions in the colony meet all the requirements of international standards.
Famous personalities: Vasya Brilliant (thief in law), Raduev (terrorist).
1. The black dolphin | Sol-Iletsk (Orenburg Region)
Colony of Sol-Iletsk. The largest among the colonies for life prisoners. It was built in 1773. In addition to those who have to spend the rest of their lives here, there are prisoners sentenced to long term sentences (general regime).
Particularly dangerous criminals are in solitary confinement. Harsh conditions: daily routine, walks only in a specialized unit, sleep with the lights on, video surveillance.
Famous prisoners: Karola Neer, Vladimir Nikolaev (cannibal, imprisoned "alone").