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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 is currently investigating the matter of equipping prison cells with specialized systems capable of being used by prisoners to signal the staff members if they detect something out of the ordinary, or address them in certain cases. We would like to get to know the practices followed by our partner authorities, thus we kindly ask you to answer the following three questions.
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Yes. Prisons in England and Wales use a system known as a “cell call system” which enables prisoners to summon assistance from staff from their cells. This has the capability to address both scenarios as described in a and b in the question.
Do you in any of your cells use communications equipment that allows bilateral communication, or permits staff members to communicate with or instruct the prisoners residing within a given cell (e. g. speakers in the cells)?Yes. The “cell call” system mentioned in 1 above has intercommunication capability to permit two way voice communication between prisoners in a cell and staff in the control room. We have a standard specification that describes the operation of the system that could be made available on request.
What procedures do you apply if these systems are put to use? How do you minimize unjustified or undue operation?Each prison will have operational protocols in place around the management of the “cell call” system including targets for response time to calls etc. In terms of misuse, there is always the potential for prisoners to make nuisance calls and activations of the system however this is managed through normal prion disciplinary procedures.
Yes, through intercom system in the cells and assault alarm (stationary) in corridors and common areas
Do you in any of your cells use communications equipment that allows bilateral communication, or permits staff members to communicate with or instruct the prisoners residing within a given cell (e. g. speakers in the cells)?Yes, intercom system (audible)
What procedures do you apply if these systems are put to use? How do you minimize unjustified or undue operation?Regulated through code of conduct. Abuse could result in a warning of misconduct. However, the intercom system is an important part of security and will never be turned off. An inmate should at any given time be able to get in contact with the staff.
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
a) We have an IP phone system in the cells. The prisoner can make a call to the control room and the guard can make a call to the cell. b) There are no direct alarm buttons.
Do you in any of your cells use communications equipment that allows bilateral communication, or permits staff members to communicate with or instruct the prisoners residing within a given cell (e. g. speakers in the cells)?There are no loudspeakers in the cells.
What procedures do you apply if these systems are put to use? How do you minimize unjustified or undue operation?There have not been any major problems with the IP phone system.
Yes. The Irish Prison Service operates a in 'cell call system' in all closed prisons. The prisoner can press a buzzer in their cell which activates an alarm and light over the cell door on the prison landing and also in the staff administration area on the landing. If delayed response within predetermined time, rings in the control room.
Do you in any of your cells use communications equipment that allows bilateral communication, or permits staff members to communicate with or instruct the prisoners residing within a given cell (e. g. speakers in the cells)?The Irish Prison Service is currently introducing a two way audio system across the prison estate. This is in place in a number of the newer prisons and facilitates bilateral communication between the cell and the control room, and allows direct communication with any prisoner in a given cell.
What procedures do you apply if these systems are put to use? How do you minimize unjustified or undue operation?The cell call system and the updated two audio system can not be de-activated until a member of staff responds to the call, checks the cell and resets the system at the cell door. Any abuse of the system will result in a disciplinary hearing by the Governor under the Prison Rules 2007.
Currently, the Romanian prison system does not have implemented such a system.
Do you in any of your cells use communications equipment that allows bilateral communication, or permits staff members to communicate with or instruct the prisoners residing within a given cell (e. g. speakers in the cells)?n/a
What procedures do you apply if these systems are put to use? How do you minimize unjustified or undue operation?n/a
a) and b) In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, all, even the oldest, detention rooms are equipped with an emergency call system. For the most part, systems are in use that ensure direct communication between the prisoners and the staff members (acoustically and visually). Only at one station in the oldest institution in the country is still a system in use, which gives only an optical indication (light lamp above the cell door and in the staff’s office) after triggering.
Do you in any of your cells use communications equipment that allows bilateral communication, or permits staff members to communicate with or instruct the prisoners residing within a given cell (e. g. speakers in the cells)?Yes. The prisoners operate the call system in their cell. The call is audible, but also visually. Optically, both on a screen either in the service office nearby or in the security center as well as on a display outside the prison room directly above the cell door. If calls cannot be accepted by a staff member on site, they will always be forwarded to the security central within a few minutes. In addition, every call (start, end, duration of the call) is logged by the PC application. Only the sound is transmitted, no image. The transmission works electronic-digital. The call system is located directly in the entrance area of the cell and consists of a metal plate. Two push buttons, one for the communication system and one for the ceiling lighting, are integrated in this panel. Thus, in special situations in which the employees are dependent on a light source, it can be prevented that the prisoner can control the lighting. In addition, the metal plate can be connected in a pressure-sensitive manner via a locking system, which is mounted outside the cell next to the door. Before an employee opens the door, he can use a key to activate the sensor of the call system. If a dangerous situation arises, which requires the involvement of additional staff, the employee only has to hit the metal plate. This triggers an audible and visual alarm.
What procedures do you apply if these systems are put to use? How do you minimize unjustified or undue operation?Abusive handling happens very rarely. The inmates are interested in being able to inform someone in case of emergency and to get help quickly. Vandalism happens rarely too or not at all. However, if a call system is damaged and is inoperative, the cell is not assignable any longer. The prisoner is transferred to another cell room. In case of willful damage, he will be punished with the legal sanctioning possibilities of the Prison Law and will be charged for damages.