Scientific Journal of the National Academy of Internal Affairs

Origin and development of professional criminality in pre-Soviet Ukraine is studied. Analysis of criminal legislation norms aimed at criminal professionalism combating and elimination is provided along with classification of professional criminals. It is concluded that qualitative and quantitative characteristics of pre-Soviet professional criminality were influenced by current trends. Poverty and despotism of ruling class, legislative chaos and atrocities of law enforcement structures were contributing to development of professional criminality. 1600 1700s were marked with revivification of such crime categories as robbery, horse stealing, counterfeiting and other criminal «craft». From the early 1700s to mid 1800s professional criminality was characterized as deeply primitive. Still, abolition of serfdom, development of competitive economy and migration accelerated the negative transformations in criminal dynamics and structure – the first «professionals» in criminal communities make their names. The penitentiary system of the Russian Empire itself was a powerful leverage generating new concepts and trends along with facilitation of criminals’ hierarchic structures.