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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction: Following the task adopted in connection with the application of measures in the Response of the Slovak Government to the Report of the CPT Committee from the last visit to Slovakia in 2018, we would like to gain information on the possibilities of carrying out personal searches by means of technical devices (e.g. scanners).
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For personal searchings, instruments such as metal detectors are used. For cell searchings, when certain small spaces need to be explored (pipes, for example), some cameras are used.
In case of personal searches of inmates or other persons, does your prison service use scanners? If yes, please specify.X Ray are used, in some cases, to explore the existence of drugs inside the inmate. Judicial approval is required in these cases.
In case your prison service uses scanners for personal searches, what is your experience with their use (pros and cons)?The use of X Ray, for the above-mentioned purpose, has turned out to be an excellent way to prevent inmates from introducing drugs into the prison context. Also, it is considered an effective instrument to protect inmates, due to the risks posed by drugs inside the human body.
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Airport style scanners are used at the gatehouse of all Scottish prisons to monitor the access and egress of all pedestrians and vehicles.
In case of personal searches of inmates or other persons, does your prison service use scanners? If yes, please specify.Body scanner technology is used at HMP&YOI Polmont and HMP&YOI Cornton Vale. All prisoners moving in and out of both prisons are required to be searched. In both Polmont and Cornton Vale this has included going through a body scanner. Other measures applied alongside the body scanner technology include the use of a Boss Chair and Cellsense technology. In both prisons, all prisoners are also still subject to a rub-down search either before or after they go through the body scanner.
In case your prison service uses scanners for personal searches, what is your experience with their use (pros and cons)?An independent research evaluation reported that, overall, the introduction of body scanners has had a positive impact on prisoners’ wellbeing and dignity due to the significantly reduced number of full body searches now requiring to be conducted. These were considered to be undignified and uncomfortable, and for many women prisoners in particular who have had a history of experiencing abuse and trauma, prison staff welcomed the introduction of body scanners. However, concerns were raised with regards to the efficacy of the body scanner technology in detecting hidden items, with many staff indicating that they felt that body scanners were ineffective in detecting prohibited items. In addition, high levels of false positive readings were a concern to staff, and a frustration to prisoners, some of whom reacted aggressively to having to be subjected to a full body search as a result (even although this had been usual practice before introduction of the technology). There is clear evidence that the body scanners have resulted in a more efficient admission and exit process in both prisons – with staff confirming that the process takes significantly less time than the previous full body searches for all prisoners.
In the prison system of the Republic of Croatia, hand-held metal detectors and metal detector doors are used during personal searches of prisoners and other persons.
In case of personal searches of inmates or other persons, does your prison service use scanners? If yes, please specify.No, in the prison system of the Republic of Croatia, scanners are not used during personal searches of prisoners and other persons.
In case your prison service uses scanners for personal searches, what is your experience with their use (pros and cons)?See answer to question number 2.
Metal detectors
In case of personal searches of inmates or other persons, does your prison service use scanners? If yes, please specify.No
In case your prison service uses scanners for personal searches, what is your experience with their use (pros and cons)?N/a
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In order to prevent or map disorder of criminal acts in prisons, searches can be carried out of the inmate's person, room and belongings. Either search by technical devises, dogs, visitations or manual searches can be chosen in this regard. Technical devises comprises both metal detectors, transillumination equipment including x- ray and from ultimo 2019; body scanners. For personal searches, both body scanners and manual searches are being used.
In case of personal searches of inmates or other persons, does your prison service use scanners? If yes, please specify.Body scanners were introduced ultimo 2019. Directorate of the Norwegian correctional service decided that body scanners should be operational in prisons of high security in connection with access control in addition to control of inmates. The purpose of the body scanner is to strengthen the security by preventing unwanted objects in prisons of high security, make the access control more efficient and to reduce the use of traditional visitations. The scanner gives the following advantages: • The scanning will take place in a separate room located in the visit department. • The procedure takes 64 milliseconds. • The scanner radiates less than a cellphone. The scanned picture does not show any intimate body parts. Visitors may be asked to undertake this security measure. Body scanners will not be used for employees in the correctional service or persons from imported services such as health, school and welfare services regularly performing work inside the prison.
In case your prison service uses scanners for personal searches, what is your experience with their use (pros and cons)?Due to the fact that body scanners were recently installed, the experience with the tool is rather limited. The use of the body scanner is seen to be less intrusive than manual searches. Body scanners is expected to increase the security by reducing unwanted items in the prisons, make the access control more efficient and reduce the use of more intrusive measures for searches such as traditional visitation or manual searches.
Technical devices that are in use in Finland, are handheld metal detectors and metal-detector gates. For inmates and other persons belongings an item-scanner (not person) can be used also. Although not a pure technical device, a prison drugdog is used for personal searches. If deemed necessary and a suspicion for innerbody smuggling attempt is present and with certain requirements fullfilled, a prisoner can be subjected to an X-ray used and controlled by medical staff in common state hospitals.
In case of personal searches of inmates or other persons, does your prison service use scanners? If yes, please specify.Yes, Finnish Prison service uses only non-portable item-scanners.
In case your prison service uses scanners for personal searches, what is your experience with their use (pros and cons)?Item-scanner enables the use of modern technology in personal searches that include belongings. Scanner gives better possibilities to check hidden contrabands inside solid objects without breaking the object. With item-scanners only pros, no cons.