Lost your Password?
Click Here
Don't have an account?
Register Here
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.
Want to ask a question? Please read our guidance information found here: Submitting a KMS Question
← Back Search KMSThis content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
Introduction: In order to define (new) standards relative to the security levels of prisons, the Belgian Prison Service wants to know how other countries are dealing with goods (canteen products, products for the kitchen, clothes, washing back from external laundry services) that are entering prisons, and what is the security procedure for this.
yes
If it does, how does it happen?In Sweden we have scurity levels 1, 2 and 3. 3 is open prisons. In high security level 1 all persons entering the prison are checked with metaldetector and all laguage is x-rayed. All goods coming to the prison is x- rayed and checked manually if needed as well. That includes ALL goods clothes, food etc. In security level 2 and 3 the goods are not x-rayed but checked by random sample or when we got certain information.
What technology may be applied for this control?Goods x-ray technologie.
yes
If it does, how does it happen?In closed prisons we have control over goods that are coming from outside. Suppliers are security checked in advance and they have been given permission to import goods to prison. The goods coming from outside are always received first by staff. Goods will be checked if needed by the staff or using a sniffer dogs. After the inspection, the goods are transported to the intended locations(kitchen, canteen, etc.)
What technology may be applied for this control?If necessary we are using X-ray inspection system.
yes
If it does, how does it happen?In our Cat A prison all goods entering are searched by means of an x-ray scanner In other establishments these items are searched manually. All deliveries are pre-arranged form existing suppliers who advise in advance when they will be making the delivery indicating the type and registration number of the vehicle.
What technology may be applied for this control?X-ray type scanners, hand held detectors and search dogs can be used
yes
If it does, how does it happen?Searches are conducted generally at the point of entry to the prison, by a designated team of staff, trained in searching of vehicles. The search team are supported by an Active Canine team when available.
What technology may be applied for this control?Hand held metal detectors, non linear junction detectors ( to identify mobile phone circuitry) and x ray machines are available if required if further examination is necessay
yes
If it does, how does it happen?1.3.2.2 Vehicle Entrance a Every vehicle entrance in a closed establishment is equipped with items appropriate to carrying out vehicle searching. b The appropriate staff must check any vehicle entering or leaving an establishment has the authority to do so. c Vehicle passengers are required to enter via the pedestrian entrance, where it is necessary for them to enter the establishment. d Instructions concerning items that drivers must leave at the gate prior to accessing the establishment are clearly communicated and visibly displayed. e The registration number of every vehicle must be recorded on access and checked upon egress. f All vehicles must be searched on entry and exit from the prison, with particular attention paid to the cabin and cargo areas.
What technology may be applied for this control?1.3.2.4 Access and Egress (Goods) a There are proper methods of receipt, storage and issue for all deliveries to the prison and for articles and goods exiting. b All mail including parcels are x-rayed on receipt and systems are in place to record the activity. c All incoming goods addressed to prisoners, including electrical items, are x-rayed and/or searched
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
yes
If it does, how does it happen?All vehicles, including those containing goods, are physically searched on arrival at a prison by prison staff.
What technology may be applied for this control?The establishment would identify the most appropriate equipment used to complete this search
yes
If it does, how does it happen?Incoming and outgoing vehicles are checked. In case of a reasonable suspicion personal belongings and clothes of incoming and outgoing persons are checked.
What technology may be applied for this control?We use telescopic mirrors, service dogs, metal detectors
yes
If it does, how does it happen?Goods entering prisons will normally be controlled, especially in prisons with a high security level.
What technology may be applied for this control?The control is done manually, by sniffer-dogs or by x-ray.
yes
If it does, how does it happen?Goods is transported to the premises of the Corps of Prison and Court Guard usually by vehicles. Prison officers are entitled to make a search of the vehicle upon its entry to the protected site, inside or upon departure from such a site. Persons and their garments are searched by detection means. Luggage and things are searched by means of detection means, by insight, discharge of things from the luggage to the determined place and thorough frisk of things. Search of luggage and things can be made by the aid of a service dog trained for searching of substances with a specific smell. Vehicles are searched by means of detection means and insight. When making searches of persons, luggage, things and vehicles it is proceeded so that the purpose of the search is fulfilled and basic sanitary rules are observed, property and personal things are saved and human dignity of the searched person is not degraded.
What technology may be applied for this control?Searches are made physically (e.g. by insight), with the aid of detection means and with the aid of service dogs trained for searching of substances with a specific smell.
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
yes
If it does, how does it happen?These goods are delivered by selected suppliers, and the goods must comply with all legal standards pertaining to foodstuffs. The procedure of delivery and receipt of goods was agreed in advance with the selected suppliers. Clothing and underwear inmates usually wash in the penitentiary and prison but can also be given to wash and receive from their relatives and then such goods are subject to a mandatory detailed inspection by the security officer.
What technology may be applied for this control?Usually they are used metal detector devices and RTG devices.
yes
If it does, how does it happen?The uniformed official doing the entry inspects – apart from the authority of the person and the vehicle wishing to enter – the chassis, roof, engine compartment, holding areas and especially the glove compartment of the vehicle. Apart from this he inspects whether the items and tools on the delivery note match the items in the vehicle. After this the entry into the territory of the Prison Service organizations is only possible with the escort of the uniformed staff receiving the cargo. This process is accordingly repeated when the vehicle leaves.
What technology may be applied for this control?The technology applied during execution changes with the given Prison Service institution. In most of the vehicle sluices there are built in cameras capable of inspecting the cargo compartments. Apart from this a chassis camera or mirror is what aides the colleagues in their work.
yes
If it does, how does it happen?All vehicles, including those containing goods, are physically searched on arrival at a prison by prison staff.
What technology may be applied for this control?The establishment can identify the most appropriate equipment used to complete this search.
yes
If it does, how does it happen?Checks are carried out not only on people, but also on the goods and products that are introduced in the prisons or even which are brought outside the penal establishments. Each prison Governor gives directions to regulate the relevant procedures. The Penitentiary Police staff which is in charge of the surveillance of prisoners who work in the prison kitchen, besides complying with the Penitentiary Act and the relevant Regulations of Enforcement, also follows the directions given by the prison governor. The Penitentiary Police staff also supervises the withdrawal of the food provided by the outside enterprises that sell food products to the prison; said Staff also supports the check of weigh, quality and quantity of the above-mentioned items by the Governor’s delegate and by a committee of inmates. Indeed, every day a committee of inmates – drawn by lot among prisoners – access the kitchen and carries out the checks foreseen. When outside firms are in charge of the laundry service, the Penitentiary Police staff carefully notes down all the work made, recording details of the entries and exits of the washing and assessing that it is in compliance with the commission received. All the prisoners who are employed in work activities implying the movement of goods and items are always searched in terms of the Penitentiary Act.
What technology may be applied for this control?The checks of goods and other items introduced in the prison can be made both manually and by the use of metal detectors or specific X-ray machines (e.g. the check on items brought by family members upon their visits to the inmates). The Penitentiary Police staff perform those checks