我国古代监狱制度述论

我国最早的监狱大约出现在公元前2000多年前,随着夏朝的建立而产生,经过商、西周、春秋各时期的发展,形成了古代监狱的雏形,并逐步向成熟完备的狱制发展.随着唐朝进入封建社会的鼎盛时期,监狱制度达到了相当完备的程度.宋、明、清的监狱承袭唐制,并进一步完善.但是随着封建社会的衰落,君主专制统治趋于极端,明清时期的狱制具有了封建晚期特征.

The Prison System of China in History

The earliest prison of China came into being in before 2000 B.C. when the Xia Dynasty was established. Through a long time of development in the Shang Dynasty, West Zhou and Spring and Autumn Period, the embryo of China's prison system had been formed and it was making its way toward maturity. In Tang Dynasy when feudal system enjoyed full development, prison system became well established. The succeeding Dynasties like Song, Ming and Qing followed and furthered the Tang's prison system. However, with the decline of feudal system and the extreme tendency of absolute monarchy, the prison system of the Ming and Qing Dynasties took on the color of late feudal society.