Oryol Central is known as one of the largest prisons in pre-revolutionary Russia. What is noteworthy, a correctional institution still exists today under the official name SIZO-57/1. The prison became famous thanks to its cruel treatment of prisoners. The true and complete history of the Oryol Central in our article.
The foundation of the prison in Orel
In 1840, the Arrest Company appeared in Orel; thirty years later, it was reorganized into the Prison Correctional Facility. In 1908, the prison expanded again and received a new name - Katorzhny Oryol Central. At that time, the correctional institution was designed for 1200 prisoners. However, often the total number of prisoners reached 1400 people. At the time of its foundation, the prison consisted of a main building, a “serf” building, a new building, a single building for “newcomers”. There was also a prison infirmary for up to 70 people on the territory of the
correctional facility . The Oryol Central had cells with a capacity of 28-36 prisoners. However, often up to 60 prisoners were kept in one room.
Correctional History
In 1917, against the background of the general situation in the country, the correctional institution ceased to exist. However, already in 1926, the prison in Orel was reborn. Among the first prisoners here are former jailers. The most famous among them are: Rykhlensky (head doctor of the prison hospital), Simashko-Solodovnikov, the Former, von Kube, Zhernov, Novchenko. As in many other prisons, the Oryol Central held political and criminal criminals together. The treatment of all prisoners was disgusting. During World War II, just before the occupation of Orel by enemy troops, Stalin ordered the execution of political prisoners in the city prison. The city was occupied by German troops, in October 1941 the invaders organized a concentration camp on the territory of the Oryol Central. After the war, the Oryol Central began to function as usual.
Prison conditions and interesting facts
Numerous historical evidence confirms that the treatment of prisoners in the prison was a nightmare. In the period from 1908 to 1912, the Oryol Central prison buried 437 prisoners. And these are only figures of official statistics. Overcrowded chambers, non-compliance with sanitary standards. In prison, epidemics of various diseases constantly flashed. Moreover, despite the presence of a hospital, assistance was not provided to prisoners in most cases. The most colorful about the prison was told by F.E. Dzerzhinsky. His letter, sent from the Oryol Central, which tells about the mass mortality of prisoners, has been preserved.
At the beginning of the last century, instead of modern cards, prisoners were given “tickets”. The document contained general information about the prisoner: full name, date and brief description of the committed act, term of imprisonment. Interestingly, at that time prisoners were more often called "vagrants." The hard labor was a real test for the prisoners. On the territory of the Oryol Central there was a building of tsarist workshops. “Official” productions worked here: prisoners made shackles and chains, horseshoes for the army. Often received and orders from private entrepreneurs. Then the prisoners began to work in furniture, bookbinding, shoe manufacturing.
Oryol Central today
Today, the prison, which celebrated its centenary, is called pre-trial detention center No. 1 of Oryol, and there is also a prison tuberculosis hospital on its base. One of the oldest buildings has been preserved on the territory of the correctional institution. This is the building where in tsarist times the most dangerous criminals were kept. The building has been restored and continues to be used for its original purpose. Another local “attraction” is the cell, where
Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky, a famous Russian revolutionary, was sitting. The room is preserved in its historical form. Prison officials say that sometimes they are disturbed by the ghost of Felix Edmundovich. Unfortunately, tourist excursions are not offered here. But anyone can always learn more about the prison by hitting it as a prisoner.