The article is devoted to the role of emotional intelligence in the professional activities of employees of the penitentiary system and its importance for the training of future specialists of the FPS of Russia studying in psychological specialties. The authors emphasize the importance of communication skills in stressful situations faced by employees engaged in educational and psychological work in the penal system.The analysis of the results of empirical research demonstrates high indicators of emotional intelligence of cadets of the Academy of the FPS of Russia, especially in aspects of self-motivation and emotional awareness. The article uses two diagnostic methods: N. Hall's method and D. V. Lyusin's questionnaire. The authors identified key aspects contributing to the formation of emotional intelligence, such as the active expansion of the circle of communication and attention to non-verbal signals. In conclusion, the need to introduce methods of increasing the level of emotional intelligence into the educational process is emphasized, which is an important condition for the training of highly qualified specialists capable of effective interaction within their professional activities in correctional institutions.