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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: Games consoles are a key incentive, they are allowed as an additional in cell privilege under prison’s local incentives schemes. Previous Ministers took a more punitive approach and were keen to ban the use of games consoles, wanting to remove them entirely . However there is now a more relaxed approach, and an increased appetite for more modern machines. This comes with significant security concerns as most modern machines are Wi-Fi enabled , meaning prisoners can access the dark web and download illegal material. We are keen to know what your jurisdiction does concerning such items and how you appropriately conditioned to prevent access to the internet and Bluetooth connectivity
Not generally.
What technical safety measures are in place to prevent access to the internet in respect of permitted games consoles including modern consoles?Usually, the ones exceptionally authorised have not possible conectivity and also, they are controlled under supervision.
Are prisoners allowed to possess second-hand consoles or games - how are they made safe for use?This is not generally authorised.
Do prisoners have to demonstrate good behaviour or abide by specific behaviour principles to have access to games consolesSame as before. If exceptionally authorised, they have to follow the given instructions.
In the prison system of the Republic of Croatia, prisoners are not allowed to possess modern games consoles nor second-hand consoles or games.
What technical safety measures are in place to prevent access to the internet in respect of permitted games consoles including modern consoles? Are prisoners allowed to possess second-hand consoles or games - how are they made safe for use? Do prisoners have to demonstrate good behaviour or abide by specific behaviour principles to have access to games consolesIn Latvia, prisons allow prisoners to use modern games consoles.
What technical safety measures are in place to prevent access to the internet in respect of permitted games consoles including modern consoles?To ensure technical safety, safety stickers are used. Stickers are fixed to game consoles, performing their control and excluding a possibility for a prisoner to arbitrarily open/repair the game console. If any damage is found to the safety stickers, the game console is removed, repeatedly disassembled, inspected and a new safety sticker affixed. The Android application “WIFI monitor” is used to identify and find an active Internet source, with the help of which it is possible to determine whether the cell has a wireless Internet connection. There are regular searches performed to find illegal wireless Internet transmitters, as well as game consoles in order to check if prisoners have accessed unauthorized websites and downloaded illegal information via Wi-fi or Bluetooth.
Are prisoners allowed to possess second-hand consoles or games - how are they made safe for use?Prisoners are allowed to use second-hand consoles or games. Before issuance, the visual and technical condition of game consoles are checked, as well as verification is made to check if the game console is in working order. Prisoners are only allowed to use the original manufacturer’s game discs, which are regularly inspected to make certain that prisoners have not downloaded an illegal information in them.
Do prisoners have to demonstrate good behaviour or abide by specific behaviour principles to have access to games consolesPrisoners may use game consoles only with the permission of Head of the prison.
We don't allow game consoles with Internet access in closed facilities and jails. However, in the open prisons it is possible to possess game consoles.
What technical safety measures are in place to prevent access to the internet in respect of permitted games consoles including modern consoles?Modified modification of the game console to prevent internet access.
Are prisoners allowed to possess second-hand consoles or games - how are they made safe for use?No, we don't allow second hand consoles. The inmates can either rent og buy new consoles from us (Department of Prison and Probation), and that is the only option. The consoles are all technical modified before they are handed over to the inmates, so internet use/access is impossible.
Do prisoners have to demonstrate good behaviour or abide by specific behaviour principles to have access to games consolesNo.
Yes
What technical safety measures are in place to prevent access to the internet in respect of permitted games consoles including modern consoles?Only games consoles without radio modules are allowed to prisoners.
Are prisoners allowed to possess second-hand consoles or games - how are they made safe for use?Yes.
Do prisoners have to demonstrate good behaviour or abide by specific behaviour principles to have access to games consolesYes.
Prisoners can have on one in the cell or room photographs, own books, magazines, educational materials, documents directly concerning the proceedings of the case for which the prisoner is executing the prison sentence as well as documents concerning other cases of the prisoner, personal correspondence, needs for correspondence, hygienic needs, things bought in prison shop quantity that responds to possibilities of their storage in the box, a watch, an electric shaver, immersion heater or quick-boiling pot, in case an electric plug is installed in the cell or room and other things permitted by the prison governor. The electric appliance must meet the condition of secure operation and must not have installed any device that enables illicit transmission of information.
What technical safety measures are in place to prevent access to the internet in respect of permitted games consoles including modern consoles? Are prisoners allowed to possess second-hand consoles or games - how are they made safe for use? Do prisoners have to demonstrate good behaviour or abide by specific behaviour principles to have access to games consolesThis content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
No
What technical safety measures are in place to prevent access to the internet in respect of permitted games consoles including modern consoles?No consuls with internet access are permitted
Are prisoners allowed to possess second-hand consoles or games - how are they made safe for use?Any consoles supplied have the internet access removed prior to supply
Do prisoners have to demonstrate good behaviour or abide by specific behaviour principles to have access to games consolesNo
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.
It is the position of the SPS that in recognition of the fact that many items of electrical equipment – particularly audio equipment - contain a USB connection (usually to allow connection with an MP3 device), these items will be allowed in use. Any USB leads supplied with the item are not to be issued; these leads are to be stored in the prisoner’s property until liberation. Again, while such audio devices allow for connectivity with MP3/4 players, such players are still not permitted in use. In relation to Games Consoles, it remains the position of the SPS that any such console that has the facility for a connection to the internet, hard wired or otherwise, is NOT permitted in use. Circular 20A/10 stipulated that the Sony PS2, Nintendo Game Cube and N64, the X-box and the Sega Dreamcast were console systems considered acceptable for use in-cell. The position on the aforementioned has not changed. Previously the X-Box 360 console was not permitted in use due to its Wi-Fi and internet capabilities. Approved suppliers have provided confirmation that they can provide an X Box 360 S or E model which has the Wi-Fi capabilities removed, preventing any connection to the internet and also has a built in 4GB hard drive. On this basis, SPS will allow establishments to provide the provision for any of the aforementioned games consoles, including the X Box 360 S or E models (with built on 4GB hard drive only) and they must be purchased from approved suppliers.
What technical safety measures are in place to prevent access to the internet in respect of permitted games consoles including modern consoles?Establishments are required to have a robust process in place for the purchase and monitoring of any such console or other electrical item. Any external hard drives which may be available for these games consoles, are not permitted in use. As before – and with the exceptions listed above – the general principle is that electrical equipment with the following features should not be allowed for in-cell use: - • Wireless connectivity - Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (although controllers for the games listed above which allow wireless connectivity to the console only are allowed.) • 2,3 or 4G connectivity to the telecommunications network. • Generic storage media such as a removable memory card (SD card, micro SD, memory stick etc.) • Any facility for audio or video recording. Given that such items have the capacity to conceal contraband and do not lend themselves readily to routine searching by staff, it would be good practice to apply tamper-proof seals to the items on their receipt into the prison and have staff carry out frequent checks.
Are prisoners allowed to possess second-hand consoles or games - how are they made safe for use?No.