The Management of Prisoners' Children in the Russian Federation

Abstract

The inherited geography of the penal estate in the Russian Federation, which results in prisoners being sent long distances to serve their sentences, creates difficulties for maintaining prisoners' family ties. Using the results of interviews conducted with prisoners, former prisoners and relatives in the Russian Federation in 2007–2011, the article examines the patterns of contact between minors and their incarcerated parents in the context of arrangements put in place by the prison service to support the parent‐child relationship. Despite arrangements that appear positive on the surface, societal prejudice and historical practice combine with geography to militate against good outcomes.

Slipping through the cracks: Examining the realities of a child-friendly prison system

“…Some work has been done in various jurisdictions to improve children's relationship with incarcerated parents, overcoming barriers such as distance, transportation, cost, stress, and the prison environment (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, 2013; Pallot & Katz, 2014;Schubert, Duininck, & Shlafer, 2016). These include parenting classes, child-friendly visits with flexible hours, prison nurseries, community-based alternatives to parental…”

Gender, Sexuality, and Intimacy in a Women’s Penal Colony in Russia

“…This is one of the highest rates in the world (Yasaveyev, 2010). Sociological research rarely focuses on the Russian prison system as a whole and even more rarely on women in colonies (Piacentini, 2004;Pallot, 2005Pallot, Piacentini, 2012;Piacentini et al, 2009;Moran et al 2009;Katz, Pallot, 2010;Moran, Pallot, Piacentini, 2013;Pallot, Katz, 2014;Omelchenko, 2012). The main reason is that the image of a convicted person is subject to comprehensive social stereotyping and marginalisation in contemporary Russian society (Omelchenko, 2015).…”

An Absent Presence: Visitor Narratives of Journeys and Support for Prisoners During Imprisonment

“…From the prisoners’ standpoint, family contact has advantages in terms of goods and bonding (Braman ). Pallot and Katz () found that the geography of the penal estate in the Russian Federation undermines the family ties: ‘distance reduced visitation by convicts families and friends’ (p.250). Kohl (, p.1269) reports: ‘where a prisoner serves time determines how much of a deprivation he or she will suffer’ and by extension, the social reach of prison tariffs.…”