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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 dedicated to establish new methods and treatments concerning inmates placed in specialized care units and quarters. In order to learn more about the possible good practices, we would like to ask you to let us know about your solutions. The questions are concerning sexual abuse between detainees in the prison institutions.
Separation and specific observation depending on the profiles. Study of each case and profile from a individual and specific point of view.
What methods are used to detect sexual abuse within the prison institutions?Mainly observation and active listening.
Is there a special treatment method for perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, what treatment methods are used?There are programmes for the group of sexual offenders. Nevertheless, the intervention on specific aspects is done from an individualised point of view.
Are special security and treatment protocols applied to perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, which ones?As stated before, internal separation and specific observation are the main tools.
Is there a therapeutic group for inmates who have been victims of sexual violence within prison institutions? If so, what techniques are used?This kind of intervention is more individual than groupal.
HMPPS does not have a separate policy about sexual coercion and violence in custody. All forms of violence are covered by our policies on Safety in Custody. The Prison Service Instruction for the management on violence and self-harm includes reference to the management of victims of assaults: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-prisoner-safety-in-custody-psi-642011 .
What methods are used to detect sexual abuse within the prison institutions?Instructions for investigating violence are in Prison Service Order 1300 and (for serious assaults, including sexual assaults) and Prison Service Instruction 15/2014: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investigating-incidents-of-serious-self-harm-or-assault-psi-152014
Is there a special treatment method for perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, what treatment methods are used?HMPPS also has policies to address possible wrongdoing by staff. We have recently introduced a policy framework about corruption, which can be seen here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counter-corruption-and-reporting-wrongdoing.
Are special security and treatment protocols applied to perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, which ones?HMPPS, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service have agreed a set of rules for the handling of crimes in prison, including the mandatory referral of certain types of allegation. You can read it at: https://www.npcc.police.uk/documents/NPCC%20Crime%20in%20Prison%20Referral%20Agreement.pdf
Is there a therapeutic group for inmates who have been victims of sexual violence within prison institutions? If so, what techniques are used?HMPPS, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service have agreed a set of rules for the handling of crimes in prison, including the mandatory referral of certain types of allegation. You can read it at: https://www.npcc.police.uk/documents/NPCC%20Crime%20in%20Prison%20Referral%20Agreement.pdf
We do not have any tools and techniques in this regard.
What methods are used to detect sexual abuse within the prison institutions?We do not have any methods in this regard.
Is there a special treatment method for perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, what treatment methods are used?Danish legislation has since 1997 enabled a close cooperation between Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social Affairs to intensify measures against sexual violence, in particular sexual offenses against children. This legislation gives persons sentenced for a sexual offense possibility for a suspended sentence with conditions of treatment, and persons given an unsuspended sentence possibility for release with conditions of treatment. Thus, the Danish treatment model for persons sentenced for a sexual offense is divided into (1) treatment as an alternative to imprisonment and (2) treatment as a supplement to imprisonment. Treatment is given in specialized psychiatric/sexological outpatient units in the health system. Persons with detention-sentences or longer prison sentences are offered treatment in a specialized treatment prison. The treatment method addresses certain risk and needs for each individual and can consist of medical-, therapeutic- and learning approaches.
Are special security and treatment protocols applied to perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, which ones?We do not have any specific security and treatment protocols applied to perpetrators of sexual violence based on their type of crime. However, based on an individual and specific assessment specific measures can be put in place, e.g. if the person is threatened or a risk to others.
Is there a therapeutic group for inmates who have been victims of sexual violence within prison institutions? If so, what techniques are used?No
We do not use specific tools or techniques to limit/prevent sexual abuse between detainees
What methods are used to detect sexual abuse within the prison institutions?Sexual offences reported by prison staff or by detainees are referred to the public prosecutor’s office (this may be done without the consent of the victim if they are weak or vulnerable, as this is a specific element of the medical deontological code – for example when a confined person is the victim of sexual abuse).
Is there a special treatment method for perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, what treatment methods are used?All sexual offenders are specially watched because they sometimes become victims of violence themselves during their detention (e.g., persons who have committed sexual abuse against children outside prison). The same goes for persons who, during their detention, are convicted for facts committed on fellow detainees who are, for example, in a weaker position. However, we usually do not place these persons in specific wards or specific institutions, they are kept among the regular detainees. The Belgian system of release on temporary licence and penitentiary leave (several days out of prison) is quite flexible once detainees meet the admissibility requirements and when there are no contraindications. Detainees are allowed to see their partner during these leaves from prison. We also allow conjugal visits during the period of detention, which means that detainees are also allowed to have a sex life. This does not mean, however, that sexual abuse between detainees does not occur, but there are possibilities to have regular sexual relations during the period of detention.
Are special security and treatment protocols applied to perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, which ones?All sexual offenders are specially watched because they sometimes become victims of violence themselves during their detention (e.g., persons who have committed sexual abuse against children outside prison). The same goes for persons who, during their detention, are convicted for facts committed on fellow detainees who are, for example, in a weaker position. However, we usually do not place these persons in specific wards or specific institutions, they are kept among the regular detainees. The Belgian system of release on temporary licence and penitentiary leave (several days out of prison) is quite flexible once detainees meet the admissibility requirements and when there are no contraindications. Detainees are allowed to see their partner during these leaves from prison. We also allow conjugal visits during the period of detention, which means that detainees are also allowed to have a sex life. This does not mean, however, that sexual abuse between detainees does not occur, but there are possibilities to have regular sexual relations during the period of detention.
Is there a therapeutic group for inmates who have been victims of sexual violence within prison institutions? If so, what techniques are used?We do not organize therapeutic groups during the period of detention for persons who have become the victim of sexual offences during their detention.
Prevention of sexual abuse of (adult) detainees against each other is covered by violence prevention policy. The initial assessment of a new inmate covers a range of risks, including the risk of becoming a victim or potential perpetrator of sexual abuse.
What methods are used to detect sexual abuse within the prison institutions?We do not apply specific methods to detect sexual abuse within the prison institutions. General violence prevention activities include information gathering, segregation and counselling. Identifying and responding to sexual abuse is complicated for a variety of reasons, as it depends on a victim's willingness to report to the prison management. In 2008 – 2022, a total of 12 pre-trial investigations have been initiated for offences against the freedom of sexual self-determination. Presumably, the problem may be bigger, but the most common reason for the administration not being notified is that inmates are afraid of reprisal or lack open, trusting relationship with prison officers.
Is there a special treatment method for perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, what treatment methods are used?Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme for sex offenders is in place in prisons, but it is not designed for the treatment of inmates who sexually abuse other inmates.
Are special security and treatment protocols applied to perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, which ones?No special security and treatment protocols are applied to perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institutions. General violence prevention activities are targeted at identification, isolation and imposition of disciplinary sanctions. Individual psychological counselling is available to perpetrators.
Is there a therapeutic group for inmates who have been victims of sexual violence within prison institutions? If so, what techniques are used?No therapeutic group is available for inmates who have been victims of sexual violence. Individual psychological counselling is available, but victims usually choose not to speak of the problem.
Protection of inmates against forced oral intercourse, anal intercourse or other sexual practices consists of several sequencing protective and therapeutic measures implemented during the whole duration of pre-trial and prison sentence execution: Entry identification of persons in case of whom due to their physical features and personal qualities there is an increased risk of victimisation followed by specialized treatment (psycho-diagnostic examination, entry medical check) Identification of inmates in case of whom there is a risk of violent behaviour in prison; limited extent of movement in prison and elimination of contacts with inmates at risk of victimisation Execution of sexological treatment ordered by the court to perpetrators of sexually motivated crimes in the determined psychiatric ward of the prison hospital or in prison Gaining operative knowledge via the preventive-security service (prison intelligence service), possibility of anonymised announcement of sexual violence and thorough examination of the knowledge gained. These measures implemented by the prison service are complemented by the legislation that defines the unlawfulness of sexual violence. According to the Penal Code, committing sexual violence against an inmate is the qualified facts of sexual violence with the possible term of imprisonment 7 – 15 years (5 – 10 years in case of the basic facts).
What methods are used to detect sexual abuse within the prison institutions?See the answer above.
Is there a special treatment method for perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, what treatment methods are used?Currently, there is no specialized social-intervention program or therapeutic activity focused exclusively on perpetrators of sexual violence in prisons. Generally, elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy apply in treatment of violent crimes perpetrators.
Are special security and treatment protocols applied to perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, which ones?Inmates with high risk of violent behaviour in prison (regardless the form/expressions of violent behaviour) can be placed to the unit with security risk/security cell. The placement is re-evaluated every three months. However, placement to such unit should not be accompanied only by isolation of the risk person, but also by inclusion of the inmate to the special-pedagogical and psychological activities. At the same time, the knowledge on such a risk person is registered in the information system and available to the expert staff.
Is there a therapeutic group for inmates who have been victims of sexual violence within prison institutions? If so, what techniques are used?Regarding the minimum number of occurrences (announcement and detection) of sexual violence cases in Slovak prisons, the existence of special therapeutic group exclusively for inmates who are victims of sexual violence in prisons currently seems as not necessary. If a sexual violence case occurs, the victim is provided individual psychological care.
We don’t have specific policies, tools and techniques in our penitentiary institutions when in comes to how to prevent and handle sexual abuse in detention. When a crime is committed in detention, whether it is of a sexual nature or otherwise, it will be reported to the police. In our organisation we also make up a report through an incident notification (piket melding), in the category ‘violence between detainees’. This category includes sexual violence. In any case, the offender and victim will be seperated from each other. Subsequently, it is up to the police/Public Prosecution to undertake action, like arresting the offender and possibly prosecuting him/her. This is out of the hands of the Custodial Institutions Agency.
What methods are used to detect sexual abuse within the prison institutions? Is there a special treatment method for perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, what treatment methods are used? Are special security and treatment protocols applied to perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, which ones? Is there a therapeutic group for inmates who have been victims of sexual violence within prison institutions? If so, what techniques are used?This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
Starting with 2015, in the Romanian prison system, the Strategy for reducing the aggression of inmates is implemented by Government Decision. Among the categories that generate aggression, are included and monitored, at the prison where they are under custody, also the inmates identified as sexual aggressors. The social reintegration staff, the medical staff and the security staff are involved in multidisciplinary commissions, which carry out specific activities with inmates assessed as aggressive. The National Administration of Penitentiaries (NAP) has developed and uses, at prisons level, a system procedure for identifying vulnerable/at risk of vulnerable inmates. It refer to vulnerable people, who can be easily harmed by either direct or indirect discrimination. The categories of vulnerable people/people at risk of vulnerability in the prison system can be identified, according to the following criteria: • sexual orientation; • disabilities; • psychiatric disorders; • HIV AIDS; • ethnicity; • committing sexual offenses against minors or elderly; • special socio-familial situation (lack of environmental support, due to diminished socio-economic status or high socio-economic status); • the profession held before the arrest, by the nature of which he contributed to the accomplishment of the act of justice (positions in the State - in the Government, in the defense or legislative system etc.); • providing information to the staff of the NAP or other institutions with responsibilities of public order and national security regarding the commission of certain crimes or disciplinary offenses. The situation of risk arises when the criterion of vulnerability makes the inmate unable to live in the prison community (detention room etc.) both as a result of threats or even physical or mental abuse. The purpose of the procedure is to define the concept of vulnerability, to establish the criteria for identifying vulnerable persons, how to work with them and to record data in specific documents, as well as security and monitoring measures ordered by the prison administration, when required. The person identified as vulnerable, according to one / more of the above criteria, draws up an application requesting relocation to another detention room / activity group, with the consent of the prison administration, in order to remove / reduce the state of vulnerability.
What methods are used to detect sexual abuse within the prison institutions? Is there a special treatment method for perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, what treatment methods are used?The conclusions of the psychological evaluation end with the recommendations of the specialist for the aggressor, to participate in one / more specific psychological assistance programs, depending on the identified needs. The programs in which he can be involved are: • Program of specific psychosocial assistance to reduce recidivism in sexual abuse (developed in 2010); • Program of specific psychological assistance to reduce aggressive / violent manifestations (revised in 2021); • Program of specific psychological intervention for lack of empathy (cruelty), falsehood (lie), lack of morale (2013); • Program of specific psychological intervention to reduce impulsivity (developed in 2013); • Program of specific psychological intervention to reduce the anger (developed in 2013).
Are special security and treatment protocols applied to perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, which ones? Is there a therapeutic group for inmates who have been victims of sexual violence within prison institutions? If so, what techniques are used?Through the psychological evaluation performed, the specialist identifies the needs of psychological assistance of the inmate. Depending on the needs identified by the psychologist, victims of sexual violence benefit from psychological counseling in crisis situations or from the structured steps of the Program of specific psychological assistance to reduce suicide risk (revised in 2018). The psychological counseling procedures, as well as individual psychological assistance interventions intended for inmates were regulated, in 2019, by means of a Decision of the Director General of ANP. Regarding the methods and techniques used, they are mentioned in each counseling session, along with possible obstacles, but also the individual's resources, and in case of applying the tools / tests, their name and the associated conclusions / diagnosis are mentioned. Each specialist use the methods and techniques learned according to personal training and skills. Here are some examples of methods and techniques that have been shown to be effective in such interventions: • active listening; • cost and benefit analysis; • behavioral experiments; • reformulation and resignification; • reflection of thoughts and feelings; • guided imagery; • psychoeducation; • self-training; • modifying / combating cognitive distortions; • exploring dysfunctional beliefs; • relaxation techniques; • assertive training; • role play; • listing and ranking problems; • problem solving techniques; • reflection of emotions; • feedback.
In Latvia, prisoners are placed in cells in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.1 of the Sentence Execution Code of Latvia (hereinafter – the Code), which is in accordance with the criteria of medicine, security and crime prevention. This means that a person, for example, convicted of sexual offenses, will not be placed in the same cell with persons convicted of robbery, as this may lead to violence among prisoners.
What methods are used to detect sexual abuse within the prison institutions?There are no special investigative methods to detect or prevent sexual abuse. General investigative methods as well as criminal intelligence methods are used.
Is there a special treatment method for perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, what treatment methods are used?Prisoners who commit sexual violence in prisons are provided with a psychiatric consultation, during which the psychiatrist examines the patient and accordingly provides an objective opinion on patient's mental condition, prescribing appropriate treatment if necessary.
Are special security and treatment protocols applied to perpetrators of sexual violence within the prison institution? If so, which ones?Special security protocols are not required, in practice, if the provisions of Section 13.1 of the Code are observed, which initially prevents the formation of mutual conflicts.
Is there a therapeutic group for inmates who have been victims of sexual violence within prison institutions? If so, what techniques are used?All prisoners (including victims of sexual violence) have access to psychological assistance – psychological inspection, consultations, other types of psychological assistance individually or in a group. In 2021, a resocialisation programme “For Victims of Violence” (hereinafter – the programme) was developed within the framework of the European Social Fund project No.9.1.3.0/16/I/001 “Increasing the Efficiency of the Resocialisation System”. In 2022, the prison staff will be trained to work with the programme and after training the programme will be introduced for approbation and implementation in prisons. The aim of the programme “For Victims of Violence” is to promote the awareness of prisoners and strengthen and develop their behaviour self-regulation skills by reducing the impact of violence experience and manifestations of violent behaviour.