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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: We are trying to prepare a report on the international practices about “Security of Prisons”, in order to form the basis for the report some specific questions arisen.
SPS is unable to answer this question for reasons of security.
How many security cameras are located per prison in your country?SPS is unable to answer this question for reasons of security
How is the security ensured while prisoners are in open air yards?SPS is unable to answer this question for reasons of security
Is there any prevention mechanism for communication between different wards?SPS is unable to answer this question for reasons of security
Do you have nets over the open air yards of wards (on the roof) for the purpose of security?SPS is unable to answer this question for reasons of security
If yes, what the nets used over the yards are made of(line,steel,string, etc.) and is there any legislation related to this practice?SPS is unable to answer this question for reasons of security
How high are walls around the prisons?SPS is unable to answer this question for reasons of security
We have watch towers only in our the biggest prison. There are 7 watch towers but they are not continuously occupied. We use them for occasional control and dependant on activities in prison.
How many security cameras are located per prison in your country?There is no such standard about the exact number of cameras in prison. These depends on our risk assessment but usually we install cameras on entrances, halls, yards and for securing our security perimeter and places where we store our weapons and classified information. In our system it is not allowed to install cameras in prison cells, wardrobes, elevators and sanitary facilities.
How is the security ensured while prisoners are in open air yards?By cameras and presence of prison guards.
Is there any prevention mechanism for communication between different wards?Our prison guards seek to prevent this communication.
Do you have nets over the open air yards of wards (on the roof) for the purpose of security?No.
If yes, what the nets used over the yards are made of(line,steel,string, etc.) and is there any legislation related to this practice?/
How high are walls around the prisons?Every prison has different height but differs from 4 to 5 meters.
4 watch towers
How many security cameras are located per prison in your country?60 security cameras
How is the security ensured while prisoners are in open air yards?Depending on the regim or the disciplinary sanction imposed on the detainee, which limits his time outdoors, the walks are done in strict accordance with Art. 215 of the Enforcement Code - a daily walk lasting at least one hour, while for minors, pregnant women and mothers who have children with them and for detainees suffering from tuberculosis - at least 2 hours. Walks duration is determined by the prison administration, taking into account the daily program, the weather and other circumstances that are carried out in a special place within the prison and are organized according to a cell mobile graphic. At the same time, prisoners’ walks are carried out under the constant supervision of the prison administration. It should be noted that before the walks, the prison administration is required to verify the fence condition of the yards, the locks and lack of objects that can be used to attack or escape. Also, in prisons where predominantly the housing system consists of barrack, the walks are made in the interlocative areas established by prison administration, from awakening to the shutdown, respecting the day program.
Is there any prevention mechanism for communication between different wards?Detainees are prohibited to: establish contacts with detainees from other cells during the stay in quarantine, initial detention regime, disciplinary isolator, the movement, escort, accompany, walk etc. During the walks, prison administration is obliged to supervise the behavior of inmates, in order not to allow throwing of objects, things, food, slips, letters over the fence, and conversations between inmates.
Do you have nets over the open air yards of wards (on the roof) for the purpose of security?Yes, we do have nets over the open air yards.
If yes, what the nets used over the yards are made of(line,steel,string, etc.) and is there any legislation related to this practice?All open air yards are equipped with metal bars that are covered with metal mesh-type "Rabita" for not allowing the throwing of objects, things, food over the fence. Also, a part of the open air yards are covered with a roof for shelter in rainy weather.
How high are walls around the prisons?4 meters.
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Watch towers are currently not in use in Norway.
How many security cameras are located per prison in your country?This will depend whether the prison is low or high security. The number of security cameras is classified.
How is the security ensured while prisoners are in open air yards?Prison officers, walls/fences and cameras. In some prisons barbed wire is used on top of the fences.
Is there any prevention mechanism for communication between different wards?Inmates from different wards are allowed to communicate, unless individual security reasons predict otherwise. If so, one will attempt to segregate the individuals in question.
Do you have nets over the open air yards of wards (on the roof) for the purpose of security?Yes, facilities which are located in accessible areas and there is a risk of objects being distributed over the prison wall.
If yes, what the nets used over the yards are made of(line,steel,string, etc.) and is there any legislation related to this practice?There is no such legislation all though the questions is discussed regularly
How high are walls around the prisons?This may vary somewhat from prison to prison, but 7-8 meters is considered standard.
Correctional institutions of middle security level as a rule don't have watch towers in the classic sense of this word. Correctional institutions of maximum security level, according to architectural solutions, have the number of watch towers which is estimated to be sufficient to meet demands of this level of security.
How many security cameras are located per prison in your country?Number of security cameras depends, among other, on the level of security of the correctional institution, specific needs, architectural solutions and external perimeter.
How is the security ensured while prisoners are in open air yards?Surveillance of prisoners while they are in open air yards depends on the type and level of security of correctional institution. In closed type of correctional institutions prisoners are monitored by video surveillance and by direct watch of security officers (judiciary police officers).
Is there any prevention mechanism for communication between different wards?According to individualization principle each correctional institution undertake measures and activities with the aim of limiting and disabling unwanted communication between persons placed on separate wards. Among other, solutions implemented in practice include visual surveillance of critical points by the judiciary police officers.
Do you have nets over the open air yards of wards (on the roof) for the purpose of security?With the aim of improving security system, we are in the process of consideration and selection of adequate model due to the solution of this security challenge.
If yes, what the nets used over the yards are made of(line,steel,string, etc.) and is there any legislation related to this practice?See previous question.
How high are walls around the prisons?According to the assessment and according to good practice, not less than 4 meters.
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We do not have high towers in any of our establishments. We do utilise perimeter CCTV in the closed estate and these are monitored by central control rooms. The level and frequency of monitoring is determined by the category of the establishment. The category of the prison will also determine the staffing levels in the control rooms.
How many security cameras are located per prison in your country?There is no central database of CCTV across the custodial estate. The number of camera’s per prison would typically vary depending on the security category and scale of the prison. This could range from less than fifty in some sites to several hundred in others.
How is the security ensured while prisoners are in open air yards?The category of the establishment will determine the level of supervision of prisoners whilst on open air yards. Staff supervise prisoners during access to the open air and often these yards are also covered by CCTV equipment. The yards in category B and C establishments will be enclosed by fencing, and in the category A estate the yards are “covered”.
Is there any prevention mechanism for communication between different wards?In the closed estate prisoners do not have open access to all living accommodation. They will however have common work, education and domestic accommodation, where contact can be made. Prisoners determined to be vulnerable will be kept separate from the general population at work and education. Prisoners may also be able to communicate between living accommodation due to proximity of the buildings.
Do you have nets over the open air yards of wards (on the roof) for the purpose of security?As stated above the high security estate does have covered exercise yards. Netting is used for the purpose of prevention of contraband, thrown over the wall, landing in exercise yards. The netting tends to be made of polyethylene material.
If yes, what the nets used over the yards are made of(line,steel,string, etc.) and is there any legislation related to this practice?The netting tends to be made of polyethylene material. There is no regulation around this practice.
How high are walls around the prisons?Walls around prisons are generally a minimum of 5.2metres high.
In Finland, watch towers are no longer used for supervising the prison yards. Prisoners go to the outdoor exercise yards mainly in smaller groups one ward at a time. The yards are supervised from an outdoor control room, which are elevated in order to make supervision easier.
How many security cameras are located per prison in your country?We do not have detailed documentation on the number of security cameras per prison. Cameras are installed based on the security needs and the characteristics of the building.
How is the security ensured while prisoners are in open air yards?Prisoner groups in the outdoor exercise yards are supervised visually and with cameras from the control room. The outdoor exercise yards can be placed on different sides of the prison premises or, if necessary, centralised in the outdoor area in places where there are no harmful visual or vocal connections to accommodation wards or other yards. The outdoor exercise yards are separated from other areas by fences or walls. The passage to the outdoor exercise yards is controlled safely.
Is there any prevention mechanism for communication between different wards?Harmful communication from and to the outdoor exercise yards is prevented by scheduling the outdoor exercise times, planning the placement of the exercise yards, and blocking visual connections. In addition, the staff intervenes in possible harmful communication when needed.
Do you have nets over the open air yards of wards (on the roof) for the purpose of security?Some outdoor exercise yards with special security requirements have nets over them.
If yes, what the nets used over the yards are made of(line,steel,string, etc.) and is there any legislation related to this practice?The roofs of such yards are made of welded element nets. In Finland, prisoners have the right to exercise outdoors at least one hour every day. According to our own building instructions, it is possible to cover a yard with a roof in areas where there is a lot of snow in wintertime. However, 50% of the roof has to be made of either net or clear roof panels.
How high are walls around the prisons?In Finland, the walls around prisons are 5-8 meters high. When building new walls, the instructed height is 5 or 6 meters depending on the security requirements.
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None
How many security cameras are located per prison in your country?In our high security prison we have 141 cameras. In the medium security prisons it is different: - a prison with 36 cameras - a prison with 18 cameras - a prison with 12 cameras - a prison with 10 cameras - a prison with 37 cameras.
How is the security ensured while prisoners are in open air yards?The security will be ensured with staff, fence or wall, personal alarm device and in some prisons with cameras.
Is there any prevention mechanism for communication between different wards?Yes, telephone and personal alarm device
Do you have nets over the open air yards of wards (on the roof) for the purpose of security?No
If yes, what the nets used over the yards are made of(line,steel,string, etc.) and is there any legislation related to this practice?N/A
How high are walls around the prisons?From 4,8 m to 6,5 m
There are on average 10 watch towers per prison.
How many security cameras are located per prison in your country?Place of imprisonment - Security cameras Cesu Correctional Institution for Juveniles - 126 Daugavgrivas prison - 215 Rigas Central prison - 192 Olaines prison - 35 Brasas prison - 43 Liepajas prison - 56 Valmieras prison - 64 Vecumnieku prison - 9 Ilguciema prison - 44 Jekabpils prison - 61 Jelgavas prison - 72
How is the security ensured while prisoners are in open air yards?Inmates are monitored from control post, which is above the open-air yards. According with Section 70 Part 8 of the Sentence Execution Code of Latvia “If the conditions of the procedures for walks referred to in the internal procedural regulations of the deprivation of liberty institution are violated during a walk, the walk shall be terminated and a punishment shall be imposed on the convicted person for the violation of the sentence serving regime.”
Is there any prevention mechanism for communication between different wards?While monitoring the open-air yards, prison officers also: - check for damages in fences of the open-air yard, walls, doors, locks, upper bars, mesh and if there are any writings on the walls and/or doors; - watch so that inmates follow the inner regulation of the places of imprisonment, do not speak to inmates in other open-air yards, do not throw objects/substances/notes over the fences/walls, do not gamble; - keep track of inmates in other open-air yards and living quarters so that they do not pass around and receive objects/substances/notes; - in case of a violation of the inner regulation of the places of imprisonment, demand to stop the transgression and give a warning to stop the walk early. If the inmates continues to break the rules, prison officers immediately notify the Assistant Prison Chief on Duty and stop the walk.
Do you have nets over the open air yards of wards (on the roof) for the purpose of security?Yes
If yes, what the nets used over the yards are made of(line,steel,string, etc.) and is there any legislation related to this practice?Galvanized mesh fencing with grating.
How high are walls around the prisons?For the open-air yards, the walls are on average 2,90m high.
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This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.