Vologda reformatories for juvenile delinquents (1918 – the 1920s)

Based on the analysis of archival documents and scientific literature, the article discusses issues related to the formation and functioning of various types of reformatories for juvenile delinquents (school and shelter, probation and supervision station for morally defective children, reception center, children’s home, juvenile colony for difficult children, et al.) that operated in the territory of Vologda Governorate during the initial period of the Soviet era. The data on the location of these institutions, specific features of their management, and the number, composition and confinement conditions of the inmates were clarified. When characterizing the activities of these institutions, along with positive experience, the problems, difficulties and shortcomings in their work were considered and attention was paid to the measures taken to eliminate the latter. The author came to the conclusion that the history of the Vologda juvenile reformatories in 1918 – the 1920s was a reflection of the national policy of the Bolsheviks implemented at the regional level that was aimed at combating homelessness, neglect, and juvenile delinquency, at developing effective measures to eradicate and prevent these negative phenomena, and at searching for an optimal model of an institution for correcting difficult teenagers.

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