COMPLIANCE OF NATIONAL LEGISLATION WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IN THE USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE, SPECIAL MEANS, AND FIREARMS IN SUPPRESSING ILLEGAL ACTIONS BY CONVICTS

 

Author (s): Bodnar I., Puzyrevskyi M., Makarenko O.

 

Work place:

Bodnar I.,

Candidate of Law, Associate Professor,

Associate Professor of the Department

of Criminal Executive and Criminal Law

of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Law,

Law Enforcement Activities and Psychology,

Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine, Chernihiv, Ukraine

ORCID: 0000-0003-4016-9276

 

Puzyrevskyi M.,

PhD in Law, Associate Professor of the Department

of Criminal Executive and Criminal Law

of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Law,

Law Enforcement Activities and Psychology,

Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine, Chernihiv, Ukraine

ORCID: 0000-0001-8835-3238

 

Makarenko O.,

Senior Lecturer of the Department

of Criminal Executive and Criminal Law

of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Law,

Law Enforcement Activities and Psychology,

Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine, Chernihiv, Ukraine

ORCID: 0009-0008-5823-4885

 

Language: Ukrainian

 

Scientific Herald of Sivershchyna. Series: Law 2026 No 2 (28): 38-49

 

https://doi.org/10.32755/sjlaw.2026.

Summary

The article examines the compliance of Ukrainian national legislation with international standards regarding the use of physical force, special means, and firearms in correctional institutions when preventing unlawful actions by convicts. The study emphasizes the state’s responsibility to ensure effective control over the activities of the State Criminal-Executive Service of Ukraine while fully respecting the rights and dignity of prisoners. Maintaining a fair and humane approach is essential for protecting inmates’ rights, ensuring internal order, and minimizing threats to personnel and other prisoners.

The research analyzes international legal instruments, including United Nations and Council of Europe standards, regulating the circumstances and procedures for using force. Procedural safety requires clear algorithms specifying types of measures, conditions of use, authorized personnel, and reporting obligations.

The article identifies gaps in Ukrainian legislation, noting that while the Law “On the State Criminal-Executive Service of Ukraine” and the Criminal Executive Code establish certain principles, they rely heavily on cross-references to other laws, creating uncertainty for staff regarding the legality and proportionality of their actions.

The study highlights the importance of properly trained personnel to minimize negative consequences of using force and ensure that any use of weapons is justified, proportionate, and aimed at preventing harm. Draft legislation on the penitentiary system introduces general rules and prohibits use of force as punishment, though further refinement is needed.

The findings suggest that aligning Ukrainian legislation with international standards is critical for protecting human rights, maintaining security in correctional facilities, and ensuring lawful, professional conduct by personnel.

Keywords: national legislation, international standards, convicts, prisoners, personnel, penal institutions, State Criminal-Executive Service of Ukraine, criminal offenses, crimes, security, prevention, physical force, special means, firearms.

 

References

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  8. Council of Europe. (1987, February 12). European Prison Rules. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/994_032#Text
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  14. Draft Law of Ukraine No. 1769, On the Penitentiary System (2019, June 14). https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0633-19#Text

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