Formation of the policy of the Russian empire for purpose use labor of criminals in the XVIII century

The article examines the peculiarities of the criminal executive policy of the Russian Empire on the issues of labor use of convicts to punishments associated with exile and imprisonment in the 18th century. It is noted that at the beginning of this period (the years of the reign of Peter I), this policy was formed, which provided for the active use by the state of cheap labor of criminals to solve economic problems. An explanation is given of such a policy, which was initially determined by the expanding vast spatial territories of Russia, for the development and consolidation of which workers and permanent residents were required in remote areas; in addition, during the years of rapid reform activities of Peter I, in order to implement his grandiose plans, there was a need for a large number of workers for the construction of cities, fortresses, ports, etc. hard labor.