Problems of Spiritual and Religious Re-education of Prisoners in the Prisons of the Russian Empire in the Nineteenth Century

Abstract

The experience of spiritual and religious re-education of prisoners in the prisons of the Russian Empire in the nineteenth century is studied. The activity of the clergy in the context of spiritual and religious re-education of individuals who committed the illegal acts is analyzed. The prison authorities, clergy and governor were dealing only with religious propaganda, and the prison regime itself with all its inherent injustices and hardships caused no desire for prisoner’s rehabilitation. Insufficient material support of prisons only worsened the situation where in addition to the frequent lack of churches and chapels in the prisons, the lack of libraries, spiritual and religious literature, also was not maintained a good salary level for the prison clergy.