Ferenc Finkey, the First Hungarian Penologist

Abstract

The Trianon Peace Treaty had a profound effect on the social and governmental structure of Hungary. These changes, of course, also influenced the field of corrections and actually altered some of its key aspects as well. The author will recall several key penological concepts and ideas from the era to provide an introduction to the philosophical foundations of the establishment of correctional legislation and the resulting substantive changes that occurred. Moreover, a detailed analysis will be provided on the system of enhanced severity workhouses, an emblematic punitive measure that addressed the unfavourable criminological tendencies of the 1920s, which emerged as consequences to the Trianon Peace Treaty. The essay will conclude with deducing the generalized historical, legal, and moral lessons and conclusions pertaining to this peculiar period of Hungary.