Performance Accountability in Indonesian Local Governments: Does Monitoring Really Work?

This study aims to empirically examine whether the monitoring activities on local government implementation really matter for local government performance accountability. Based on a sample of decentralized Indonesia during 2010-2019, we test this by measuring monitoring activities of local government at district and city levels. Using panel data set of 514 local governments, our results show that the monitoring activities, conducted by external audit and the public, positively affect local government performance accountability. In contrast, legislative monitoring negatively affects performance accountability. These findings suggest that the external audit plays a fundamental role in monitoring activities at the local governments. In addition, direct public monitoring can enhance performance accountability through intensifying human development and a greater democracy. As for legislators, the composition between government coalition and opposition should also be suitable for the effectiveness of monitoring.

COVID-19 Lockdown in Belgrade: Impact on Air Pollution and Evaluation of a Neural Network Model for the Correction of Low-Cost Sensors’ Measurements

In this paper, we explore the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in Serbia on the air pollution levels of CO, NO2 and PM10 alongside the possibility for low-cost sensor usage during this period. In the study, a device with low-cost sensors collocated with a reference public monitoring station in the city of Belgrade is used for the same period of 52 days in 2019 (pre-COVID-19 period), 2020 (COVID-19 lockdown) and 2021 (post-COVID-19 period). Low-cost sensors’ measurements are improved by using a convolutional neural network that applies corrections of the influence of temperature and relative humidity on the low-cost sensors. As a result of this study we have noticed a remarkable decrease in NO2 (primarily related to traffic density), while on the other hand CO and PM10, related to domestic heating sources and heating plants, showed constant or slightly higher levels. The obtained results are in accordance with other published work in this area. The low-cost sensors have shown a satisfactory correlation with the reference CO measurements during the lockdown, while the NO2 and PM10 measurements of 2020 were corrected using a convolutional neural network trained on meteorological and pollutant data from 2019. The results include an improvement of 0.35 for the R2 of NO2 and an improvement of 0.13 for the R2 of PM10, proving that our neural network model trained on data from 2019 can improve the performance of the sensor in the lockdown period in 2020. This means that our neural network model is very robust, as it exhibits good performance even in the case where training data from the prior year (2019) are used in the following year (2020) in very different environment circumstances—a lockdown.

The Folk Theorem for Repeated Games with Time-Dependent Discounting

This paper defines a general framework to study infinitely repeated games with time-dependent discounting in which we distinguish and discuss both time-consistent and -inconsistent preferences. To study the long-term properties of repeated games, we introduce an asymptotic condition to characterize the fact that players become more and more patient; that is, the discount factors at all stages uniformly converge to one. Two types of folk theorems are proven without the public randomization assumption: the asymptotic one, that is, the equilibrium payoff set converges to the feasible and individual rational set as players become patient, and the uniform one, that is, any payoff in the feasible and individual rational set is sustained by a single strategy profile that is an approximate subgame perfect Nash equilibrium in all games with sufficiently patient discount factors. We use two methods for the study of asymptotic folk theorem: the self-generating approach and the constructive proof. We present the constructive proof in the perfect-monitoring case and show that it can be extended to time-inconsistent preferences. The self-generating approach applies to the public-monitoring case but may not extend to time-inconsistent preferences because of a nonmonotonicity result.

THE CURRENT STATE OF ENSURING HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE SUPERVISION OF THE LEGALITY OF THE EXECUTION OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES

В статье рассматривается современное состояние обеспечения прав человека при осуществлении надзора за законностью исполнения уголовных наказаний. Анализируется структура органов, реализующих обеспечение прав заключенных под стражу и осужденных, особенности ее функционирования в современных условиях. Описывается содержание реализации контроля уполномоченного по правам человека, ведомственного контроля, а также прокурорского надзора за законностью исполнения уголовных наказаний, судебного, общественного и международного контроля за местами принудительного содержания. Проводится сравнение систем обеспечения прав заключенных под стражу и осужденных в России и зарубежных государствах. Рассматриваются особенности осуществления надзора за законностью исполнения наказаний на современном этапе, взаимодействия органов прокуратуры с общественными наблюдательными комиссиями. The article examines the current state of ensuring human rights in the supervision of the legality of the execution of criminal penalties. The article analyzes the structure of the bodies that implement the rights of prisoners in custody and convicts, the features of its functioning in modern conditions. The article describes the content of the implementation of the control of the Commissioner for Human Rights, departmental control, as well as prosecutor's supervision over the legality of the execution of criminal penalties, judicial and public control over places of forced detention. The author compares the systems of ensuring the rights of prisoners in custody and convicted persons in Russia and foreign countries. The article considers the features of supervision over the legality of the execution of sentences at the present stage, the interaction of the prosecutor's office with public monitoring commissions.

Evolutionary Game Analysis on Behavioral Strategies of Multiple Stakeholders in Inclusive Green Growth

Inclusive green growth has been set as an important initiative to solve the severe problems of environmental degradation and severe income inequality. It requires the joint participation of local government, enterprise and public. However, these stakeholders are not enthusiasm enough as there are divergences among their interest goals. Hence, this paper analyses how to balance the stakeholders’ interest goals based on the central supervision and local regulation in environmental protection and income inequity alleviation. Therefore, an evolutionary game model between central and local government, and an evolutionary game model among local government and enterprise and public are conducted. The conclusions are drawn as follows: (1) The local government should play a leading role in promoting IGG, and the decrease of the economy proportion in the assessment on local government will significantly promote its enthusiasm; (2) When the penalty on enterprise increase, both enterprise and the public will choose positive participate behavior faster; (3) The high public monitoring cost will hinder both enterprise and public’s participation. Finally, some recommendations are put forward.

EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC MONITORING COMMISSIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EPIDEMIC: SOME LEGAL AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS

Автором рассматривается проблема эффективности деятельности членов общественных наблюдательных комиссий в период эпидемии. Особое внимание уделяется правовой основе деятельности членов общественных наблюдательных комиссий в учреждениях уголовно-исполнительной системы с учетом имеющихся ограничений, связанных с эпидемией. Согласно ст. 85 УИК РФ возможно введение режима особых условий в исправительных учреждениях для противодействия и нейтрализации негативных последствий от стихийных бедствий, различных оснований введения чрезвычайного положения, указанных в ст. 3 ФКЗ Российской Федерации «О чрезвычайном положении», групповых неповиновений осужденных и пр. Режим особых условий предусматривает возможность введения дополнительных ограничений в отношении осужденных к лишению свободы и корректировку организации деятельности подразделений администрации исправительного учреждения (ч. 2 ст. 85 УИК РФ). В статье предлагается повторно изучить уже имеющийся опыт ряда пилотных проектов, которые реализовывались в исправительных учреждениях, и по мере необходимости внедрить их для повышения эффективности общественного пенитенциарного контроля за обеспечением прав осужденных. Формулируются также предложения по совершенствованию уголовно-исполнительного и иного законодательства в этой сфере. The article deals with the problem of the effectiveness activity of public monitoring commission members during the epidemic. Special attention is paid to the legal basis of the activities of public monitoring commissions members in the penal institutions, taking into account the existing restrictions associated with the epidemic. According to Article 85 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, it is possible to introduce a regime of special conditions in correctional institutions to counteract and neutralize the negative consequences of natural disasters, various grounds for the introduction of a state of emergency specified in Article 3 of the Federal Criminal Code of the Russian Federation «On the State of Emergency», group disobedience of convicts, etc. The regime of special conditions provides for the possibility of introducing additional restrictions on persons sentenced to imprisonment and adjusting the organization of the departments activities of the penal administration (Part 2 of Article 85 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The article proposes to re-examine the existing experience of a number of pilot reform that were implemented in correctional institutions and, if necessary, to implement them to improve the effectiveness of public penitentiary control over the rights of convicts. Proposals are also formulated to improve the penal enforcement and other legislation in this area.

LEGAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE PUBLIC FORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRYING OUT CONTROL OVER ENSURING THE RIGHTS, FREEDOMS AND LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF THE PERSONS CUSTODY

Статья посвящена рассмотрению правового и организационного аспектов деятельности общественных формирований, которые осуществляют контроль за обеспечением прав, свобод, законных интересов лиц, содержащихся в учреждениях уголовно-исполнительной системы. Изучение специальной литературы позволило выявить, что актуальность выбранной нами темы исследования обусловлена возрастающим значением общественных формирований в непосредственном контроле за деятельностью учреждений и органов уголовно-исполнительной системы в сфере обеспечения прав человека. В последние годы непосредственное участие граждан в государственной деятельности приобрело повсеместный характер, что, безусловно, свидетельствует о том, что в России процветает партиципаторная демократия. Особый интерес общественности вызывает контроль вышеуказанными объединениями деятельности государственных учреждений за соблюдением прав лиц, содержащихся в местах лишения свободы. Также в данной статье приведены результаты проведенного социологического опроса о деятельности общественных наблюдательных комиссий в учреждениях УИС среди сотрудников ФКУ ИК-8 УФСИН России по Оренбургской области в форме анкетирования, в котором приняли участие 78 сотрудников и 120 осужденных ИК. The article is devoted to the consideration of the legal and organizational aspects of the public formations activities that exercise control over the rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of persons in custody. The study of specialized literature revealed that the relevance of the chosen research topic is due to the increasing importance of public formations in the direct control of the penal system activities in the field of ensuring human rights. In recent years, the direct participation of citizens in state activities has become widespread, which, of course, indicates that a participatory democracy is flourishing in Russia. Of particular public interest is the monitoring by the above-mentioned associations of the activities of State institutions for the observance of the rights of persons held in places of deprivation of liberty. This article also presents the results of a survey conducted on the activities of public monitoring commissions in the institutions of the penal system among the employees of the Federal Penitentiary Institution «IK-8» of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Orenburg region in the form of a questionnaire, which was attended by 78 employees and 120 convicts.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PENAL INSTITUTIONS WORK IN THE UK AND RUSSIA DURING THE CORONAVIRUS INCIDENCE (COVID-19)

В 2020 г. мир впервые столкнулся с ограничениями в реализации прав и свобод граждан, связанных с их свободным передвижением не только между странами, но и внутри страны, города и даже улицы. Это произошло в связи с распространением новой коронавирусной инфекции (COVID-19), заболевание которой ставило под угрозу жизнь и здоровье большого числа граждан. В деятельности пенитенциарных учреждений мира также произошли серьезные изменения, связанные с обеспечением безопасности жизни и здоровья сотрудников УИС и осужденных (обвиняемых и подозреваемых). Пенитенциарные учреждения были вынуждены ограничить заключенных в реализации отдельных их прав и законных интересов с целью соблюдения санитарно-противоэпидемических (профилактических) мер, направленных на недопущение возникновения и распространения новой коронавирусной инфекции (COVID-19). К наиболее резонансным ограничениям относят приостановление реализации права осужденных на краткосрочные и длительные свидания, запрет на выезд осужденных за пределы пенитенциарных учреждений, ограничение в перемещениях внутри пенитенциарного учреждения. Автором анализируется деятельность пенитенциарных учреждений в России и Великобритании в условиях распространения новой коронавирусной инфекции (COVID-19), отмечается положительный опыт, который они смогли наработать в этих условиях. Изучены особенности работы представителей общественной наблюдательной комиссии в России и Инспекции тюрем Ее Величества (HM ChiefInspectorofPrisons) в Великобритании, основной целью деятельности которых являлось оценить работу пенитенциарных учреждений в условиях пандемии с точки зрения соблюдения ими реализации основных прав и законных интересов осужденных (подозреваемых и обвиняемых). Автором рассмотрена работа конкретных пенитенциарных учреждений в Великобритании; приведены примеры положительного опыта реализации прав осужденных, направленных на поддержание семейных связей при полном отсутствии как краткосрочных, так и длительных свиданий; показаны реальные проблемные вопросы, с которыми столкнулись тюрьмы Великобритании, и каким образом их пытались решить. Анализируя работу территориальных органов ФСИН России, были приведены примеры работы УФСИН России по Самарской области и ГУФСИН России по Красноярскому краю, которые быстро и эффективно смогли реализовать в своих исправительных учреждениях предоставление осужденным в отсутствие краткосрочных и длительных свиданий права на видеозвонки семье и близким. На основе обобщения положительного опыта работы пенитенциарных учреждений Великобритании и России были сделаны выводы о необходимости продолжить работу, направленную и цифровизацию всех пенитенциарных учреждений, и, конечно, активно использовать для поощрения осужденных право на видеообщение со своими родными и близкими. Отмечается, что и после пандемии в качестве одной из возможностей реализации своей деятельности должна остаться работа судов, представителей общественной наблюдательной комиссии и других правоохранительных и контролирующих органов в режиме видеоконференции. Therefore, in the work of all penal institutions of the world, there have been serious changes in their activities related to ensuring the safety of the life and health of prison officers, as well as convicts (accused and suspects). All penitentiary institutions were forced to restrict the exercise of certain rights and legitimate interests of their prisoners, in order to comply with sanitary and anti-epidemic (preventive) measures aimed at preventing the emergence and spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). One of the most resonant restrictions is the suspension of the implementation of the right of convicts to short-term and long-term visits, the ban on the departure of convicts outside of penitentiary institutions, restrictions on movement within the penitentiary institution. In the article, the author analyzes the activities of penitentiary institutions in Russia and the United Kingdom, in the context of the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), as well as the positive experience that they were able to gain in these conditions. The article examines the specifics of the work of representatives of the public monitoring commission in Russia and the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in the UK, whose main purpose was to assess the work of penitentiary institutions in terms of their compliance with the implementation of the basic rights and legitimate interests of convicted persons (suspects and accused) in the context of the pandemic. The author reviewed the work of specific penitentiary institutions in the UK, gave examples of positive experience in the implementation of the rights of convicts aimed at maintaining family ties in the complete absence of both short-term and long-term visits. He showed the real problematic issues faced by the UK prisons, and how they tried to solve these issues. Analyzing the work of the territorial bodies of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, examples were given of the work of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Samara region and the GUFSIN of Russia in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, which, for example, quickly and effectively managed to implement in their correctional institutions the provision of convicts, in the absence of short and long visits, the right to video calls with family and friends. Based on the generalization of the positive experience of the penitentiary institutions of Great Britain and Russia, conclusions were drawn about the need to continue the work aimed at digitalization of all penitentiary institutions, and of course actively use the right to video communication with their relatives and friends to encourage convicts. And the work of the courts, representatives of the public monitoring commission and other law enforcement and regulatory bodies in the VKS mode and after the pandemic should remain as one of the opportunities for implementing their activities.

LEGAL INSTITUTION FOR DEMOCRATIC CIVIL CONTROL OVER ACTIVITY OF SECURITY AND DEFENSE SECTOR OF UKRAINE: STATE-OF-THE-ART OF NORMATIVE LEGAL REGULATION

The article is dedicated to study the status of legal regulation of legal institution “Democratic civil control over activity of security and defense sector of Ukraine” and to substantiate the theoretical recommendation as regards improvement of military and security legislation. It has been proved that uncontrollable military organizations and law enforcing bodies of the state bring potential danger both individuals and society’s humanistic values. They are dangerous because of unbalanced mechanism of the democratic civil control. Disruption of containment mechanism and counterbalance in the power separation system in the state, usurpation of power by one person or group of people can paralyze not only power itself but other institutions of society. Subjects of state segments for democratic civil control turn to be the attendant bodies of political will by one person, the certain cover-up and justification of unlawful violation. Under those conditions the civil monitoring of institutions in the security and defense sector of Ukraine becomes inefficient. Their subjects experience limitations: such as access to information of law-enforcement authorities and military formations; implementation of freedom of expression. Most of substantial reactions are left unattended by state jurisdiction and military administration. Their legal status also remains imperfect and deprived of real impact gears on the objects under control. It has been proved that in order to ensure efficiency of openness and transparency in activity of Security and Defense Sector it is required to implement the complex of organizational and legal measures such as an active elucidative campaign for the purpose of bringing to essentiality, goal, form and tools of public control over SDS and to consolidate new philosophy where the civil control will take leading place. The certain declaratory of the most mechanisms of civil control institution have been deduced herein. The means to improve situation in this field are proposed to be developed by participation of interested subjects both public administration, members of public monitoring and subsidiary objects of new special law. By its developing the negative and positive experience of civil control has to be taken into consideration. The other way to secure the effective mechanism of democratic civil control over SDS is to specify statutory norms for SDS in the law of Ukraine.