Soviet Union - Non-Political Prisoners

[Lynn_M]

Whilst it's generally accepted that Political Prisoners were dealt with in a draconian manner, how did they deal with Non-Political Offenders and Non-Political Prisoners? Supposing 'Comrade A' stole something from 'Comrade B,' would the authorities have actually cared? Somehow, I don't think they would have; I think they only cared about themselves

But that's only my theory. Does anyone actually know?

[Lynn_M]

*When I said 'offenders,' I actually meant 'suspects'

[Jackdaw33]

Yes, they did care, because law and order was essential to the preservation of the Soviet system. Whilst corruption was rife, if the man in the street stepped out of line he would soon know about it.

[jno]

yes, they were as keen on law and order as any country. There's a short bit about the procesure here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_Soviet_Union#Criminal_cases

[Peter Pedant]

they also had the Soviet Penal Code
spelling out what you could go down for

It might be useful to rehearse the sociological side here.
A journey thro the criminal process would involve a guilt finding process. But that does not mean the state of finding guilt is at the same stage as in the west for example

In Iran after the Revolution of Freedom (!) and also the French revolution (1792) {The Terror} the guilt finding stage occurred at the stage of arrest. If you were arrested by order the cttee of Public Safety - you would end up being guillotined.

Being charged with an offence in the soviet system may well have served the same function.....( occurs in Japan currently apparently )

[ichkeria]

You don't surely imagine that Soviet prisons only contained political prisoners?
It's more or less as it is in modern Russia. You could/can commit any crime you want and get away with it if you were/are on 'the right side' or had/have money to buy yourself out of trouble

[Peter Pedant]

Itch
I think the question was are there mixed prisons or are politicals segregated and treated particularly badly ?

oo-er any prison in Russia ( judging from James Bond films only ) isnt exactly a holiday