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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 aim of this project is to try and find solutions to reducing the self-harm and violent incidents against themselves, to others including our front line staff with those using ceramics and razors. The incidents of those using a razor and improvising the razor into an improvised weapon has lethal outcomes and we are yet to find an alternative razor that crumples once the blade is removed from its base. Whilst we are not intending to make a blanket ban across the prison estate one establishment is taking the initiative to completely remove razors and instead provide an electric shavers as a replacement. This is due to a number of assaults prisoner on prisoner with lethal outcomes. If you are able to advise what good practice can be cascaded to us for our prison estate around reducing self harm and violence and trust the following questions will allow us to establish what is happening across the European Public Sector Prisons.
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Yes, razors are provided in prisons and penitentiaries of the Republic of Croatia. Prisoners may keep personal hygiene items, including shaving accessories, which do not endanger the security and safety of the prison.
Do you have concerning incidents a) of self-harm using a blade/improvised weapon with a blade, b) incidents of violence against other offenders with the blade and c) incidents to the staffing groups with the blade?Yes, there has been concerning incidents of prisoners self-harm using a blade.
How are all of these issues controlled and managed to reduce them in future?These issues are trying to be managed through quality individual treatment of prisoners.
If razors are provided, is there a proven safer brand of razors that has been sourced in your prisons? If not, what is provided as a replacement?No, there is no proven safer brand of razors. For now, there is no replacement provided.
Have electric shavers been considered and provided as this alternative?No.
Yes.
Do you have concerning incidents a) of self-harm using a blade/improvised weapon with a blade, b) incidents of violence against other offenders with the blade and c) incidents to the staffing groups with the blade?• Stats for the last 2 years where a razor has been used in incident of Self Harm, Prisoner Interpersonal Violence and Staff Assaults: Total 424 Prisoner on Prisoner Violence - 21/11/2017 – 21/11/2019: The stats for Prisoner on Prisoner Violence with the use of a Razor Blade was 22. This figure was extracted from PR2 via Business Objects, the search was narrowed to include variations of the term “Razor Blade”. By following this process other bladed weapons such as melted plastic, shaped metals etc. where not included as a result this figure is reflective of the incidents recorded with the term word Razor in the narrative. Prisoner on Staff Violence- 21/11/2017 – 21/11/2019: The stats for Prisoner on Staff Violence with the use of a Razor Blade was 11 As per the search for prisoner on prisoner violence the same process was followed in this category (Staff Violence) however with a change to the incident type which was to reflect assaults towards staff. Again as per above the search was narrowed to only include the term “Razor” in order to capture specific incidents that involved the use of a razor. In this area after further reading into the attached narratives it is apparent that of the 11 incidents some did not include a direct assault towards a member of Staff with a razor, for example there were incidents when Prisoners were holding a razor when being restrained or a razor being found on a prisoner after an assault with a different weapon type. Prisoner Self Harm - 21/11/2017 – 21/11/2019: The stats for Prisoner self-harm with the use of a Razor Blade was 391 In relation to self-harm incidents with the use of a Razor Blade, this category produced the highest volume of incidents. When the information was extracted it was broke down into incident descriptions. There were 5 different categories in which all narratives contained the term Razor Blade, the 5 categories are as follows: • Attempted Suicide (7) • Cuts (314) • Ligature (9) • Overdose (2) • Swallows Item (59) Of the above although listed as overdose and ligature these incidents involved the use of a razor in some form, for example a prisoner swallowing a razor prior to using a ligature resulting in staff intervention. Additionally there were incidents of staff dealing with a prisoner threatening suicide and discovering a razor blade with blood within the prisoners cell afterwards. There was also and incidents where prisoners disclosed to staff after they recovered a razor blade that had been using it to self-harm
How are all of these issues controlled and managed to reduce them in future?SPS has a Zero Tolerance approach to Violence. There are a number of policies and practices in place such as the Anti-Violence policy (and the Anti-Bullying Policy) which requires each establishment to have a Tactical Tasking and Co-ordination Group which meets monthly. Optimum use is made of CCTV and other appropriate technological aids such as scanners and metal detectors. Intelligence is used to identify early indicators of conflict which is managed to prevent escalation and trends in violence are identified and problem profiles acted upon. Anti-violence posters are displayed prominently in establishments. In terms of prevention and offender behaviour programmes, SPS utilises the Self Change Programme and formerly the Controlling Anger and Regulating Emotions Programme (now changed to Discovery: Finding a New Me). SPS has a Prevention of Suicide Strategy which gives comprehensive guidance on the various actions to be taken to prevent suicide attempts and incidents of self-harm.
If razors are provided, is there a proven safer brand of razors that has been sourced in your prisons? If not, what is provided as a replacement?SPS issues Wilkinson Sword Pronto Razors to mainstream prisoners and Wilkinson Sword Xtreme Sensitive 3 for those who are being held in the Segregation and Reintegration Unit (SRU).
Have electric shavers been considered and provided as this alternative?No.
In accordance with normative acts, detainees and convicted persons may purchase and/or receive in packages/parcels cassette, mechanical or electrical beard-shavers. Both detainees and convicted persons may also submit an application to the prison, as well as to the Latvian Prison Administration (hereinafter - , with a request to provide them with razors, indicating that their personal account does not contain finances for the purchase of razors, and that they do not have any relatives who may supply them regularly in packages/parcels. The administration of the prison shall individually evaluate each application and complying with the principle of good management, provide the prisoners with razors.
Do you have concerning incidents a) of self-harm using a blade/improvised weapon with a blade, b) incidents of violence against other offenders with the blade and c) incidents to the staffing groups with the blade?There have been cases of prisoners deliberately harming their health by cutting/scraping a part of the body with the blade. There have not been cases of violence using a blade against other prisoners, nor have there been attacks on staff with a blade.
How are all of these issues controlled and managed to reduce them in future?In such cases the prisoner is subjected to increased control. In addition, searches are carried out in prisons during which, if sharp objects, that are prohibited from storing and using (e.g., broken razors from which blades have been removed) are found with the prisoner or in the cell, they shall be confiscated and destroyed.
If razors are provided, is there a proven safer brand of razors that has been sourced in your prisons? If not, what is provided as a replacement?There is no specific brand of razors that is used.
Have electric shavers been considered and provided as this alternative?Prisoners may purchase, as well as receive in packages/parcels electric beard-shavers.
If a pre-trial detainee or an inmate has no financial means he is provided 4 disposable razors per one month
Do you have concerning incidents a) of self-harm using a blade/improvised weapon with a blade, b) incidents of violence against other offenders with the blade and c) incidents to the staffing groups with the blade?a) self-harm – often, b) incidents of violence against other offenders – seldom, c) incidents to the staffing groups - never
How are all of these issues controlled and managed to reduce them in future?Regular searches are carried out. Broken and damaged blades are withdrawn.
If razors are provided, is there a proven safer brand of razors that has been sourced in your prisons? If not, what is provided as a replacement?Prisons provide simple one-blade razors. No safer brand is planned as replacement
Have electric shavers been considered and provided as this alternative?No
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Yes, the detainees are allowed to buy razors at the prison shop except for those who are placed in a security cell. Those detainees get special razors which can’t be disassembled easily in order to get the razor blade out. The latter ones can not keep the razors in their cells, they have to ask it to the guards and give it back to them when they have finished.
Do you have concerning incidents a) of self-harm using a blade/improvised weapon with a blade, b) incidents of violence against other offenders with the blade and c) incidents to the staffing groups with the blade?a) Yes, it happens sometimes that some inmates cut themselves with the blades. b) It also occurred that they used blades as a weapon against other inmates but it is quite rare. Sometimes the guards find self-made weapons with blades in the cells but the detainees do not use them to fight. c) In the last years, only once a guard was attacked with a blade by a prisoner.
How are all of these issues controlled and managed to reduce them in future?The guards go through the cells of the inmates to find self-made weapons as soon as possible in order to avoid any incident. The inmates themselves are also scanned when they have to go through the prison to avert that they give the blades to other inmates or that they injure a guard or another prisoner on their way.
If razors are provided, is there a proven safer brand of razors that has been sourced in your prisons? If not, what is provided as a replacement?Prisoners are allowed to buy normal razors which can be purchased in every grocery shop. On specific sections of the prison and for dangerous prisoners, the special razors (brand: De Ridder) are handed over.
Have electric shavers been considered and provided as this alternative?Prisoners are not allowed to have electric shavers. They can have hair clippers, but hair clippers are not an alternative to razors. To shave themselves they have to use the razors.
Yes they are. No restrictions on the models or how many can you have in your possession at the same time.
Do you have concerning incidents a) of self-harm using a blade/improvised weapon with a blade, b) incidents of violence against other offenders with the blade and c) incidents to the staffing groups with the blade?a) self-harm is not an issue in Finland, some cases in a yearly bases b) violence among the prisoners is not so common, few cases in a yearly bases, usually the weapon of choice is something else than razorblades, prisoners also have hard plastic cutlery in their possesion in the cells c) not a problem concerning personnel, really rare
How are all of these issues controlled and managed to reduce them in future?Razorblades in prisons are not concidered to be a problem in Finland. Prison canteen also sells them to the prisoners. Controlled by supervision and inspecting the razors thoroughly before giving them to use. Sometimes used as a way to smuggle drugs or other contrabands inside the prison.
If razors are provided, is there a proven safer brand of razors that has been sourced in your prisons? If not, what is provided as a replacement?Every kind of model and style is in use and is allowed. No proven safer brand of razors in use.
Have electric shavers been considered and provided as this alternative?Electric shavers are also totally allowed and in possession of the prisoners. It is not a choice to make, prisoners can have both (razors and eletric shavers) in their possession at any time.
In accordance with generally binding legal regulations (Act on Pre-trial Detention Execution and Act on Prison Sentence Execution), shaving needs belong among the needs of personal hygiene. In case the inmate has no financial means to buy the needs of personal hygiene in prison shop, the prison shall provide the inmate these needs in the amount stated in the House Rules (in case of shaving needs, the inmate shall receive four single-use razors). In addition to razors, the inmate can also have an electric razor (the electric razor shall meet the conditions of safe operation – the costs connected with own purchase of the electric razor, its technical control and the use of this electronic razor is borne by the inmate. The prison shall provide to inmates only single-use razors.
Do you have concerning incidents a) of self-harm using a blade/improvised weapon with a blade, b) incidents of violence against other offenders with the blade and c) incidents to the staffing groups with the blade?Incidents with the use of a razor or blade of electric razor as part of an improvised weapon (data for 2019) a) Five suicide attempts, b) No case, c) One case of an attack attempt towards a prison officer.
How are all of these issues controlled and managed to reduce them in future?A prison officer is authorised to carry out the search of personal belongings of the inmates and search of their accommodation spaces. Among other things, the aim is to prevent the inmates from creating and storing the objects endangering the safety. Searches of personal belongings (accommodation spaces) of inmates are performed at various time intervals depending on the risk of the inmate (e.g. in case of dangerous inmates, such search is carried out at minimum once per week). In addition to the search of personal belongings and accommodation spaces, there may be also performed a thorough personal search of the inmates before selected actions (when an extraordinary event may occur).
If razors are provided, is there a proven safer brand of razors that has been sourced in your prisons? If not, what is provided as a replacement?The Corps of Prison and Court Guard has not a particular brand of razors, which are given to the inmates in accordance with the answer to the question no.1.
Have electric shavers been considered and provided as this alternative?See the answer to the question no. 1.
Yes . Disposable razors are provided across the prison estate.
Do you have concerning incidents a) of self-harm using a blade/improvised weapon with a blade, b) incidents of violence against other offenders with the blade and c) incidents to the staffing groups with the blade?Yes . There have been incidents where razors have been used in [a] incidents of self-harm [b] as improvised weapons in incidents of violence against other offenders [c] to a lesser extent as improvised weapons used against staff members .
How are all of these issues controlled and managed to reduce them in future?Control measures include [a] a log of all razors issued and returned [b] Only issuing razors at specific times e.g. issuing a razor at breakfast time and collecting it after breakfast. [c] Daily cell searches where any damaged or concealed razors may be recovered.
If razors are provided, is there a proven safer brand of razors that has been sourced in your prisons? If not, what is provided as a replacement?We are not aware if there is a safer brand of razor or aware of any studies of same.
Have electric shavers been considered and provided as this alternative?Electric razors have been provided on rare occasions in the past where a prisoner may have a medical condition whereby they could not use a conventional razor . Prisoners now have the assistance of Carers to assist with such matters. Electric razors have their own problems with regard to storage . Where is the razor stored, is it allowed to be stored in cell or held by prison staff and issued when required ? If the razor has a cable it would have to be of length that it could not be used to self-harm or use as a weapon. If the razor was re-chargeable, who’s responsibility would it be to charge it, especially if it was held by the prison. staff. If the razor was permitted to be kept in the cell by the prisoner would the charger be capable of being converted to charge other items such as phones. Electric razors also contain very strong [razors] which could also be removed and used as weapons.
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This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.