This article is dedicated to analyzing the challenges of upholding human rights in places of detention in Ukraine and the necessity of reforming the penitentiary system in line with international standards. It examines the current state of prisoners’ rights in Ukraine, highlighting systemic issues such as inadequate detention conditions, insufficient medical care, overcrowding in penal institutions and pre-trial detention facilities, and the lack of effective legal protection mechanisms. Particular emphasis is placed on the practice of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), notably the judgment in the case of Ivchenko and Others v. Ukraine, which confirms numerous violations of Articles 3 and 13 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The study of European experiences in safeguarding human rights in places of detention is particularly relevant in the context of Ukraine’s European integration aspirations. The article reviews effective models of penitentiary systems in European countries, specifically Norway, Germany, and Spain, analyzing their approaches to the resocialization of offenders, rehabilitation programs, and mechanisms for social reintegration post-release. Special attention is given to innovative practices such as the operation of open institutions, the introduction of mentorship programs for inmates, provision of access to education and vocational training, and the digitization of penitentiary systems. A separate section addresses the challenges of reforming Ukraine’s penitentiary system, noting that the national system remains focused on isolating offenders rather than facilitating their social reintegration. In this regard, the article proposes expanding the use of alternative sentencing measures, such as probation and community service, which have proven effective in EU countries. It also explores the prospects of adopting specific European practices in Ukraine, including the potential establishment of open-type institutions for individuals convicted of non-violent crimes to enable gradual societal reintegration. The feasibility of implementing volunteer programs to support released individuals is assessed, as such initiatives aid reintegration and reduce recidivism risks. The article underscores the importance of modernizing Ukraine’s penitentiary system in accordance with international standards, emphasizing the need to align national legislation with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Prison Rules, and recommendations of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). It concludes that adopting a comprehensive approach—encompassing improved detention conditions, expanded social programs, and enhanced oversight of prisoners’ rights—will enable Ukraine to meet European standards in the execution of sentences.

This article is devoted to a comprehensive study and systematization of the theoretical foundations of managing the activities of operational units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS). The relevance of the topic is due to the critical importance of effective management of operational and investigative activities (OIA) for ensuring national security and protecting the state border, especially in the context of full-scale armed aggression and ongoing hybrid threats. Despite the high practical significance of the managerial component, the level of scientific development of the relevant theoretical foundations remains insufficient, and existing approaches are either too general or do not take into account the specifics of OIA. Based on the analysis of scientific literature in management theory, public administration, OIA theory, and current legislation, and using systemic, formal-logical, comparative-legal methods and the method of generalization, the essence of managing the activities of SBGS operational units is revealed as a purposeful, systemic, and predominantly social process of influencing personnel, resources, and the operational situation. A distinction is made between the concepts of «management» and «leadership» taking into account the specifics of the SBGS as a military formation. A comprehensive set of specific management tasks in the field of OIA is defined and systematized. These tasks include policy development; regulatory, methodological, informational, and analytical support; organizational, personnel, and resource provision; control over legality and effectiveness; institutional development; and ensuring accountability. A system of OIA management principles is substantiated, including both general managerial principles and special ones determined by the nature of OIA. The author proposes a classification of OIA management functions within the SBGS and differentiates them from the functions of OIA as a practical activity. Scientific approaches to the classification of management methods are analyzed, and a system of methods adapted to the specifics of OIA is developed: decision-making methods, organizational-structural, administrative-legal, socio-psychological, economic, and control-analytical methods. The forms of OIA management are examined – legal (adoption of normative and individual acts) and organizational (organizational actions, logistical operations) – with examples of their implementation in the practice of the SBGS. The article contributes to overcoming the scientific gap by forming a holistic theoretical model of OIA management in the SBGS. The presented systematization of theoretical foundations has practical significance for improving management processes, enhancing the efficiency of operational units, and serves as a scientific basis for further research and the development of applied management methodologies in this field.

Статтю присвячено аналізу реалізації принципу заборони катувань або нелюдського чи такого, що принижує гідність, поводження або покарання в діяльності Державної прикордонної служби України. Розглянуто міжнародні та національні нормативно-правові акти, які врегульовують ці питання, здійснено детальний аналіз їх впливу на діяльність прикордонного відомства. Особливу увагу приділено необхідності впровадження стандартів прав людини, передбачених Конвенцією про захист прав людини і основоположних свобод та іншими міжнародними договорами, у внутрішнє законодавство України та практику діяльності Державної прикордонної служби України. Окреслено основні проблеми та виклики, з якими зустрічається Державна прикордонна служба України у процесі забезпечення дотримання принципу заборони катувань або нелюдського чи такого, що принижує гідність, поводження або покарання. Наголошується на необхідності підвищення рівня правової обізнаності та професійної підготовки військовослужбовців та працівників прикордонної служби, що сприятиме ефективнішій реалізації міжнародних стандартів у повсякденній діяльності. Досліджуються механізми контролю та нагляду за дотриманням прав людини в діяльності Державної прикордонної служби України, включаючи внутрішній контроль, а також роль громадських організацій та міжнародних інституцій у цьому процесі. Висвітлено досвід інших країн у забезпеченні дотримання принципу заборони катувань або нелюдського чи такого, що принижує гідність, поводження або покарання у прикордонних структурах, що може бути корисним для вдосконалення практики діяльності відповідних структур в Україні. Зроблено висновок, що успішна реалізація принципу заборони катувань або нелюдського чи такого, що принижує гідність, поводження або покарання в діяльності Державної прикордонної служби України, можлива лише за умови комплексного підходу, який включає реформування законодавства, удосконалення навчальних програм для прикордонників, посилення контролю та відповідальності за порушення прав людини. Також підкреслюється важливість міжнародного співробітництва та обміну досвідом для досягнення високих стандартів у сфері захисту прав людини на державному кордоні.

The article is devoted to the analysis of illegal migration of persons of conscription age across the state border of Ukraine and to the study of public opinion regarding this negative phenomenon. The authors state that in the first days of the introduction of martial law in Ukraine, a significant number of men joined the ranks of military formations, at the same time there were men of conscription age who, due to various circumstances, try to avoid fulfilling their civic duty, in particular by avoiding restrictions on crossing the state border of Ukraine established by law. Recently, such attempts to evade the fulfillment of civic duty are gaining alarming proportions. Attention is emphasized to the fact that the main methods of illegal crossing of the state border by men of conscription age are: transporting persons through the “green” section of the border; use of passports of other countries – dual citizenship; use of illegally issued or forged documents; departure of conscripts abroad for the purpose of accompanying persons with disabilities; using opportunities for departure through the “Slyah” system. The presence of a high demand for the transportation of citizens of conscription age across the state border encourages criminal elements to form criminal groups that use various methods of committing this criminal offense. The study of public opinion regarding such a negative phenomenon as evasion of military service by illegally crossing the state border of Ukraine shows that a significant part of respondents (19.5 %) have a positive attitude towards “evaders”, 54 % of respondents have a neutral attitude towards their actions (with understanding) and only 26.5 % condemn such actions. The majority (67.1 %) of respondents do not support the need to introduce criminal liability for illegally crossing the state border under the conditions of martial law. According to the respondents, the most effective mechanism for reducing the level of evasion of citizens from military service under the conditions of the legal regime of martial law (74.8 %) is the strengthening of motivation for military service.

The authors of the article outline the legal foundations and prospects for the development of law enforcement agencies, taking into account the state-legal reform in Ukraine. In particular, the concept of state regulation of the system of professional training and retraining of police personnel is considered, taking into account the national component of the countries of the European Union. The position of strict compliance with the requirements of domestic legislation and international legal treaties ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the agreed course on the reconstruction and reconstruction of Ukraine into a democratic legal state of the European Union is substantiated. The possibility of involving the public in law enforcement activities is considered and analyzed. The public's own (author's) vision of forms of public participation in the detection and prevention of crimes is presented for consideration and discussion. In the scientific study, the authors highlight the issue of attracting representatives of national minorities to the ranks of the police for the purpose of reforming and improving its law enforcement activities and strengthening public trust. The article substantiates the need for effective cooperation of employees and heads of the state apparatus of all branches and branches for the purpose of qualitative and objective implementation of the basic principles of the Constitution of Ukraine. The main directions of scientific research have become the countries of the European Union and highly developed countries of the world. It was determined that the need to establish communication with law enforcement agencies of foreign countries is becoming important. The application of the experience of the countries of the European Union is possible in terms of creating specialized law enforcement agencies, expanding the range of powers of the National Police of Ukraine, using the latest resources, and establishing cooperation with foreign partners regarding the training and retraining of law enforcement agencies of Ukraine and European countries. Taking into account the conducted theoretical analysis of the state regulation of the system of professional training and retraining of police personnel in the democratic states of Europe, the vector directions for the construction of a legal Ukraine have been established. The significance and assessment of these legal positions in the system of public administration and law as a whole is revealed. Conclusions were made and recommendations were made regarding the coordinated application of the norms of the current legislation in the practical activities of the head and employees of law enforcement departments. Attention was drawn to the need for further scientific cooperation of scientists, specialists in the field of public administration and law.