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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: The Hungarian Prison Service would like to get to know the practices followed by its foreign partners on intelligence gathering mechanisms and systems. There is currently no dedicated prison intelligence service in Hungary. Due to the increasing amount of crimes related to terrorism and extremism, more and more international conferences and professional publications emphasize the importance of prison intelligence and its role in prevention. Our aim is to get a picture of the professional guidelines of the European prison services. The gathered pieces of information support the development of our theoretical concept.
no
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.)We currently do not have a service in Belgium which actively collects data and information in prisons. In Belgium there is no penitentiary intelligence service.
What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level? Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?yes
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.)The Operational Support Group is an independent unit within the Irish Prison Service(IPS). It is centrally lead by a Prison Governor and staffed by specifically trained prison staff selected from within IPS, with a dedicated team at each prison. Each team has a ranked structure, with the senior officer reporting directly to the central point. i.e. the Governor.
What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level?The main scope of intelligence gathering is focused on the activity of the prisoners within the prison estate. This includes all of the above and primarily targets criminal activity and the flow of contraband entering the prisons. The IPS also work closely with external agencies i.e. An Garda Siochana (police force) in relation to the safety of prisoners and the security of the prison estate. The OSG focus on both the strategic level - working nationally with the Department of Justice and with international agencies in the detection of criminal activity i.e. profiling gang associations and tactically at a local level i.e. conducting concentrated searches to detect and intercept contraband, acting on intelligence received and identifying potential avenues of criminal activity.
Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?IT support development is on-going and access to intelligence focused databases are limited to specific senior grades.
no
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.)not applicable
What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level?not applicable
Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?not applicable
yes
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.)There is a Public Protection Unit (PPU) located in SPS Headquarters responsible for monitoring, collating, analysing and managing intelligence information from across the estate and for liaising with external criminal justice agencies on intelligence issues. In each local prison there is an Intelligence Management Unit (IMU) which collects, evaluates, analyses and disseminates intelligence. The IMU: • identifies the extent, nature and risk to the maintenance of secure custody and good order; • develops key intelligence products to support the targeting of resources; • creates senior management information; • identifies organised prisoner networks and criminal activities through the effective use of intelligence; and • liaises with external agencies.
What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level?Activities include: • the monitoring of prisoners/associates/activities in line with the priorities within the Strategic Intelligence Assessment; • the management of subversive activities, incidents and disorder hot spots; • the investigation and analysis of subversive activities, incidents and prisoner activity which can be linked; • the application of a range of preventative measures.
Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?Each IMU inputs intelligence data on the Prisoner Record System (PR2) in accordance with the Analytical Standard Input Document (ASID). Each IMU reviews intelligence data in accordance with the timescales set out in the Intelligence Retention Policy. Intelligence must be entered on PR2 with 24 hours of receipt of the report, or by close of play on the Monday should the report be submitted at the weekend. Any updates should be entered as soon as they become known.
no
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.)At the level of the General Directorate of the Corps (central level) there is established “the Department of Preventive-Security Service and Summary Investigation” (hereinafter referred to as “the Department”). It is headed by a Department Director who is personally and disciplinary governed in the given extent by Director General. The Department is divided as follows: a) unit of prevention, operating-search activities and fight against radicalisation, terrorism and extremism, b) unit of summary investigation, c) unit of protection of protection of classified information and personal data. At the level of prisons and remand prisons there are established divisions (group, unit) of preventive-security service (hereinafter referred to as “the Division”). It is headed by a Division Head who is personally and disciplinary governed in the given extent by Prison Governor.
What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level?Prison officers of the preventive-security service mainly: - use means of the operating-search activities and information-technical means, - cooperate with bodies of the Police Force, Slovak Information Service, Military Intelligence, Military Police Service and Financial Administration, - fulfil tasks concerning fight against terrorism and organised crime, monitor, analyse and evaluate the situation concerning extremism and radicalisation, - cooperate with the establishments of the Corps in enforcement of activities against illegal and criminal activity, - cooperate with Police Force bodies concerning the execution of the witness protection program, - analyse reasons and conditions of the rise of exceptional occurrence, cooperate on their clarification and proposes measures for their prevention, - gain knowledge on the security situation in prisons and perform activities concerning prevention, - inform immediately about any knowledge on prepared criminal activity of inmates, - carry out specialized activities subject to autonomous regime (Act no. 215/2004 Coll. on Protection of Classified Information as amended).
Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?No
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yes
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.)Criminal Intelligence Board, operating at the Prison Department, is set up of 2 units: Criminal intelligence and Criminal intelligence information units. The above mentioned Board controls Criminal investigation units operating at the penitentiary institutions.
What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level?The main scope of intelligence gathering: drug smuggling and distribution within the penitentiary establishments, telephone frauds, escape planning, crimes against human life and health. The Board is focused on strategic, the units at the establishments – on tactical level.
Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?Currently the software developed for supporting intelligence gathering is being installed.
yes
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.)Latvian Prison Administration is one of the bodies performing operational activities. Thus it has the right to carry out operational activities, i.e. criminal intelligence gathering in imprisonment places. For this purpose within the structure of the Latvian Prison Administration (both in the LPA and in every imprisonment place), Safety department has been formed, and this department carries out criminal intelligence gathering. The Operational Activities Law closely regulates the operational activities in imprisonment places. The Attorney General and his/her authorized prosecutors supervise that the operational activities comply with the law, as these activities can interfere with the private life of a person.
What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level?According with Section 2 of the Operational Activities Law, the tasks of operational activities are: 1) protecting of persons against criminal threats; 2) preventing, deterring and detecting of criminal offences, and the determining of persons committing criminal offences and the sources of evidence; 3) searching for persons who, in accordance with procedures laid down in law, are suspected of, have been accused of or have been convicted of committing a criminal offence; 4) searching for property acquired through crime, and also other property (also financial resources) that may be subject to arrest in relation to committing a criminal offence; 5) searching for such persons who have left their permanent or temporary place of residence suddenly and without obvious reason, deviate from their usual lifestyle and it is not possible to reach them, as well as searching for minors and such persons who are to be taken care of because of their age, physical or mental condition or illness, but who have left home, medical treatment institutions or other places of residence (missing persons); 6) detecting and preventing threats to national independence, constitutional system, territorial integrity, economic sovereignty, military potential, and also other threats to national or public security; 7) protecting of the official secret; 8) acquiring information regarding particular persons, if an issue regarding access of such persons to official secret, classified information of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the European Union or foreign authorities, or an issue regarding the rights of persons to such occupation or position in respect of which the law provides for provision of an opinion of national security institutions or institutions ensuring public order and security, is to be decided; 9) in the cases laid down in the law - provision of special protection of persons.
Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?No.
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
no
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.) What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level? Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?Not
yes
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.)Legality control and information sharing of Security Information Register happens on central level. Every prison has a named person who is responsible for gathering and saving information in the system.
What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level?Main focus is on prison security to prevent escapes, violence, drugs, terrorism and organized crime, crimes during imprisonment and to guarantee the safety of the society. The register helps the prison officials to make right decisions for instance on prisoner placement, permissions to leave outside prison and other permits in relation to the prisoners.
Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?Yes, a system called Security Information Register.
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yes
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.)In Hessen, all penal institutions with extremist prisoners or imprisoned members of organized crime (OC) have one so called “structural observer”, that is, a specialist correctional officer whose only task is the surveillance and case management of extremist or OC prisoners as well as the exchange of information between staff, NGOs, imams, the Hessian Ministry of Justice, the Hessian Criminal Police, and the Hessian Office for the Protection of the Constitution. These structural observers gather and manage intelligence about all extremist or OC prisoners. The structural observers report to the penal institution itself as well as to the “Network Deradicalization in Corrections” (NeDiC). NeDiC is a staff unit in the Hessian Ministry of Justice that is responsible for: 1) The policy-making and administration of individual issues pertaining to all extremist or OC prisoners, 2) the coordination of prevention / deradicalization programs in Hessian penal institutions, and 3) matters concerning the pastoral care of Muslim prisoners in Hessian penal institutions. As the central coordination unit, NeDiC represents a single point of contact and point of focus for all gathered knowledge and competences across all the different projects and agencies. NeDiC’s experienced staff members include a scholar of Islamic Studies.
What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level?Structural observers gather and manage information from legal authorities, searches and examinations upon entry, tattoos, mail inspections, observations of contacts within the penal institution, supervision of visitors, money transfers, and cell inspections. They relay these information to their superiors in the penal institution, to NeDiC, and to the responsible officers in the Hessian Criminal Police. The scope of the intelligence gathering encompasses all information that pertain to the degree of radicalization, to illegal activities, to networking activities amongst prisoners or with extremists or members of OC outside the prison system. The purpose of the intelligence gathering is the prevention of radicalization processes and the assessment / management of risk in extremist or OC prisoners, both within the penal institution itself as well as outside after the prisoner’s release.
Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?No, there is no software.
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yes
If yes, what is its organizational structure? (Both on local and on a central level. Staff, leadership etc.)HMPPS has our own intelligence infrastructure which is independent to the police. However, we work closely with the police and other law enforcement partners. Intelligence professionals are based locally (within prisons), regionally and nationally. Local intelligence analysis is managed within individual prisons and regular collaboration and information sharing takes place with regional counterparts. Intelligence collection tactics employed may be supported by specialist regional and national teams to ensure compliance with UK regulations. The regional and national intelligence community is managed under the HMPPS National Intelligence Unit which forms part of the Security, Order and Counter Terrorism Directorate.
What is the main scope of intelligence gathering? (Please indicate the subjects: drugs, terrorism, planning escape etc.) Is the main focus on the strategic or the tactical level?Our intelligence remit is far reaching, analysing information linked to risks and threats posed within a custodial setting and in the community where HMPPS continue to manage offenders (such as approved premises, for offenders who have been released on licence). The analytical support for organised crime and terrorism related activity covers strategic, tactical and operational work as well as thematic subjects. This represents a wide range of internal and external customers and stakeholders with varying requirements. Prisoners are managed according to potential risk throughout their sentence aiding Offender Management (OM) and includes those who maintain or develop relationships with known organised criminals and/or extremists. This is captured within three main areas: Strategic understanding of emerging issues relating to specific trends, allows specific knowledge and the level of confidence relating to subjects of interest to be improved. This in turn will build a picture of issues or cohorts allowing patterns and trends to be understood and predicted supporting both operation and management decision making. Tactical and Operational level support includes individual case management, and reporting structured to understand problems, places and people, forward looking content feeding the strategic understanding. Counter terrorism work in prisons and probation is an increasingly collaborative effort. It involves close working on a daily basis with a number of partners, including police and other government departments at a regional and national level. This interoperability and collaboration strengthens the intelligence and operational relationship by identifying and investigating criminal activity, including terrorist related activity in the prison estate and related activity in the community.
Is there a dedicated software developed for supporting intelligence gathering?Our Digital Investigation Unit (DIU) obtains communications data for HMPPS under UK legislation where there is a justification on the grounds of the prevention and detection of crime, such as investigations seeking to prove the conveying of illicit items into prison establishments in breach of the Offender Management Act. DIU conduct lawful internet investigations of offenders illegally using social media platforms, using specialist equipment and accredited staff. It also gathers and disseminates information relating to prison based criminality reported anonymously in partnership with Crimestoppers; a national charity used by all UK police forces. HMPPS used various systems to record and store intelligence, however, many systems are available on the commercial market which could be adopted into bespoke software for any organisation.