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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: In one of our prisons, there are several (6-7) single-cell (in which aggravated life imprisonment convicts, dangerous prisoners or disciplinary punished prisoners stay) type rooms using same open air yard. Prisoners who stay in such type of cells use the same open air yard. The doors of single-cells are not connected to open air yard but all of the prisoners stay in single-cells use the same open air-yard in turn. It has been revealed that the prisoners contact each other while using the open-air yard. This has been described as a violation of security. They are considering to solve this problem by putting steel mesh to the windows. The steel mesh which will be montaged to windows, is not an obstacle to the sun light to enter the cell, its just for preventing illegal communication and interchange of items like cigarette, message pad or any other kind of items. In order to avoid any kind of human rights violation, can you assist us with answering the following question.
Regardless of the type of cell, as long as necessary for safety reasons, to avoid sharing objects our prison administration used galvanized steel grids with openings of 1 cm. This does not prevent natural light and oral communication, but only the exchange of objects
No. SPS cells are not directly connected to open air yards. SPS do not have this problem as there are no windows overlooking exercise areas where prisoners are held in Segregation Units for safety, care and rehabilitation.
Our prisons have two systems to avoid or at least hamper contraband. As described, we indeed install fencing panels with small wire openings. Usually, we advise Securifor 2D panels provided by Betafence. Another possibility is to create a no-go area by installing two-meter-high fences two meters away from the windows. Where possible, we try to avoid the installation of fencing panels by choosing new types of windows through which contraband is impossible.
In some prisons, especially older prisons, steel mesh is used only in connection with lesser parts of the cell window, which would be the part that can be opened for ventilation. In practice the aperture for daylight is not affected by this. To cover the window with steel mesh is not an option in Norwegian prisons.
The Ministry of Justice Guide to Safer Cell Accommodation published in 2005 requires that all ground floor windows on buildings facing into exercise yards and areas where prisoners have access are protected by steel mesh cages or perforated screens. The perforated screen is normally sufficient to stop all but very small items of contraband being passed to and from the cell but allow sufficient daylight for reading in the cell and ventilation. In addition, more modern prison house blocks are provided with sealed windows to cells where ventilation is provided through grilles perforated with 3mm holes. This prevents all contraband and makes communication between the cell and outside difficult. However, the prime method in preventing contraband and illicit communication in these circumstances is for prison staff to be on hand to supervise prisons when outside of their cells.
We could say that we make use of steel mash in quite all our facilities on some windows. Most common reason for the use of steel mesh is denying access of objects between the floors or among people who are outside their cells (for example on the yard) and people who are in the cells.
No.
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1. In some prisons we apply steel mesh to the windows of the cell, for the purpose of preventing illegal communication and exchange of forbiden items between prisoners
Yes, at some facilities we do have that type of installations.
In Finnish prisons, we can cover the air vents with, for instance, perforated steel plates, which prevent the exchange of items. Our prison building instructions do not allow us to cover the whole window with fine steel mesh or other similar product.
In every Estonian prison there are bars behind the windows to ensure the security. Inside some of the cells there are bars in every prison. It is not an obstacle to the sun light to enter the cell and it is for preventing the prisoners to smash their windows. These bars are placed to higher security cells. In Estonia there are two newer prisons and in one of them it is not possible to open the windows, the purpose of this is to prevent the prisoners to communicate to each ohter and changing things through windows. The ventilation is ensured through the ventilation system and the secure ventilation tunnel in the external wall, through which is not possible to change items.
Yes, we do. This is the way for us to stopp an illegal communication between very dangerous or disciplinary punished prisoners from the other prisoners.
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In the old prison buildings, there are no steel mesh to the windows of cells. Exceptions are special detention rooms where particularly dangerous prisoners are accommodated. In new buildings, windows are secured against the introduction of small objects, usually with steel mesh in front of the movable window parts.