The main areas of the innovation activity improvement of the correctional system

While studying theoretical and legal foundations of innovation activity in the Penal System, we have identified the need to improve this kind of activity. In our opinion, innovation should be based on programming. This is a method which can provide the necessary coordination and effectiveness of the activity of the Federal Penal Service. Planning, included the main goals, objectives, and performers, helps to regulate this or that activity and presupposes the sequence in presentation of any events planned for a certain period of time. Work plans in the Penal System of Russia usually contain a list of events to be carried out. Responsible officials and timelines of events are specified there, too. Consequently, the content of the plan is general, there isn't detailed information about certain steps of conducted measures in such documents. As practice shows, programming of innovation is a necessary part of the Federal Penal Service activity. The urgency of this process is connected with the vagueness of the functions and the uncertainty of subjects of innovation activities, as well as the lack of sufficient professional skills of the staff working in the field. The processes of formation of advanced experience and programming of innovation have some common features (stages), namely the detection of the urgency of the problem, its research and analysis, working out of a plan of actions for the practical implementation of the program. In this paper we consider the most significant aspects of the technology of programming and prove the necessity of programming of innovation in the Federal Penal Service activity. Historical experience (in terms of best practices in the Penal System accumulated in the USSR) shows that science and innovation is a critical development factor contributing to the transformation of the Penitentiary System and overcome the crisis in it. For Russia, by entering into legal reform and democratization of public life, the problems of the coordination and effectiveness of reforming institutions and bodies executing criminal punishment are essential.