The article examines the legal and psychological factors influencing the adaptation of prisoners of war within the criminal-executive system of Ukraine. The full-scale hostilities on the territory of the country have necessitated regulatory measures for the detention of prisoners of war in accordance with international standards of humane treatment, primarily enshrined in the Geneva Conventions. The focus is placed on analyzing Cabinet Resolution No. 413, which defines the organizational and legal framework for detention, in conjunction with the provisions of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine and the Internal Regulations of penal institutions. The paper provides an interdisciplinary assessment of these normative acts through the lens of their impact on the psycho-emotional state of prisoners of war. While the regulation of detention conditions can create a basic structure for stabilization, excessive uniformity, restricted autonomy, and limited communication often result in psychological exhaustion, loss of motivation, and learned helplessness. The author argues that applying approaches typical for the penal system to individuals who are not convicts contradicts humanitarian principles and poses risks of rights violations. Therefore, the article proposes a differentiated approach to regulating the conditions of detention of prisoners of war — one that balances security requirements with psychological support, individualization, and respect for human dignity.

Key words: prisoners of war, personality, adaptation, legal regulation, penal enforcement system, legal status, psychological state, isolation, detention conditions, detention regime, personal space, emotional exhaustion, maladaptation.

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