The aim of the article is to identify new trends, patterns of corruption in the system of government and develop approaches to improving mechanisms to prevent and combat corruption in Ukraine. In the context of reforming modern Ukrainian society, the study of the development of mechanisms to prevent corruption is very relevant. In addition, given the deepening socio-political and financial-economic crisis in Ukraine, corruption is a serious threat to national security. According to international experience, a mechanism should be clearly established for the selection of specialists to work in the public administration sector. An effective set of tools to combat corruption in the state are, first of all, prohibitions and restrictions. The focus on overcoming the factors of corruption that are inherent in the sphere of state structures is the improvement of mechanisms. One of the effective mechanisms for preventing corruption is preventive measures in public bodies with a number of restrictions and prohibitions.