The religious and moral foundations of punishment theory expand the traditional normative approach to studying this criminal law institution. Assessing the effectiveness and fairness of punishment requires interdisciplinary research because it should be based on social conditioning and the moral essence of state coercive measures. The author’s concept developed by Professor I. M. Ragimov, which is based on analyzing historical, religious, legal, and philosophical aspects of punishment, represents a comprehensive theory that makes a significant contribution to science and is relevant for legislative and enforcement practice. The article demonstrates the connection between studies on the nature of criminal punishment conducted by several generations of representatives from the St. Petersburg (Leningrad) School of Criminal Law. Despite discussions regarding the goals of punishment and other specific issues, there is evident continuity in the ideas of scientists who developed penological theory. The theoretical philosophy-law concept proposed by Professor I. M. Ragimov continues prerevolutionary and Soviet traditions in studying criminal punishment. Based on his study of religious and moral foundations, he proposes an ethical formula for punishment that includes threat of sanctions, retribution and punitive measure, as well as he develops principles for constructing effective sanctions. The modern significance of ethical justification for criminal law institutions lies in the necessity of implementing state policy aimed at preserving and strengthening spiritual-moral values. Traditional values of a state using criminal punishment must be considered when justifying the application of coercive measures, serving as criteria for justice and appropriateness of particular types of criminal penalties. The penological theory analyzed in the article corresponds to contemporary views on the normative system as a tool for preserving and reinforcing society’s spiritual-moral values.