To the question of the principle of democracy implementation in the penal legislation in the neighboring countries

The article reviews the penal laws of the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and the Russian Federation with regard to cooperation within the CIS, highlights the problematic and positive aspects of corrective labour systems of these states. The article notes that the nature of democratic ideas in the West was predetermined by a set of social-democratic, political, cultural and other factors. As factors of the successful development of the prison systems abroad the author singles out the development of the civil society and a high level of legal culture and social activity, the liberal direction of democracy, the lack of long-term no significant socio-political upheavals, and elaboration of penal practice. Ways to improve the penitentiary activities are suggested.