The problematic issues of professional activity of the personnel of penal institutions, a set of key factors that define the service in the State Criminal and Executive Service of Ukraine as a service of a special nature are considered in the article. The analysis of the number of the personnel of the State Criminal and Executive Service of Ukraine, the reasons for undermanning of penal institutions and staff turnover is conducted. At the same time, it is stated that these negative phenomena are permanent and have the most intensive distribution among junior enlisted and low-ranking officers. The constant negative tendency of re-offenders to repeat criminal offenses both during serving their sentences and after their release is emphasized. This fact predetermines the necessity to involve highly qualified, motivated personnel in the re-socialization process and their proper training.According to the results of an expert survey of practitioners, it is determined that fewer convicts in groups of up to 25 people with whom social and educational work is organized, increases its efficiency and provides an opportunity to more effectively apply methods of influencing convicts’ self-awareness. It is clarified that the personnel directly involved in the organization of social and educational work with convicts is characterized by the presence of persons mostly aged 22 to 35 years with little, from 1 to 3 years, working experience in the State Criminal and Executive Service of Ukraine and at the position. That means that persons on whom the lion’s share of success in the process of re-socialization of convicts depends, have little practical and life experience. More than a third of respondents among the personnel of social and psychological services do not have education that meets the necessary educational and qualification requirements for this position.The analysis of specific features of official activity in penal institutions and the irreversible psychological changes that the personnel of these institutions have is carried out. The lack of positive motivation for professional activity was found in the majority of respondents.Key words: penal institution, convict, term of imprisonment, subject, penitentiary influence, criminal offense, personnel.

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