The relevance of the investigated problem is attributed to the fact that in modern Russian society punishment of crime is not only the punishment for a committed offense, but also a method aimed at correction and discipline of the convict. However, legal and psychological literature, as well as mass opinion has formed the belief that penitentiary institutions are unable to cope with the set tasks. Therefore, this study is aimed problem of finding additional means of influencing convicted persons, for the purpose of correction and re-education in a penitentiary institution. The leading approach to the study of this problem is an integrative one; it is implemented with the help of theoretical and methodological analysis of the national achievements in psychology, as well as and the various approaches to studying the problem of convict correction existing in Western psychology, and executed in the context of the development of the idea of man as the subject of relationships. As a result of theoretical and methodological research the role of higher education in the executive power system of Russia has been distinguished. In addition, the article presents the results of theoretical analysis of penitentiary system methods of the modern executive government. Materials of the article may be useful to Federal Penitentiary Service employees, social workers, psychologists and teachers. [Note: The issue number (4) displayed on the PDF is incorrect. The correct citation is v11 n17.]