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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: In a comparative approach and in connection with the envisaged reformation in the Bulgarian penitentiary system, we will highly appreciate the support of EuroPris members to explore the current practices in other correctional systems in the member states regarding the working shifts of the prison guards.
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It depends on some organizational criteria, in each prison, but the average shift (for prison officers/guards) is as follows: one day from morning to night, then again same shift the next day, then a day-off but working over night, and then 5 days-off. For those officers not in direct touch with inmates, shifts are lighter (two days working from morning to night and then 4 days-off). Both shifts are called V1 and V2.
Do you use 24-hour shifts? If yes, on what occasions?In very rarely occasions, due to lack of officers or some really extraordinary reasons.
What do you think would be the effects of using 24-hour shifts on the guards and the quality of their work with inmates?24 hours would mean a too-long shift, with exhausted officers and some lost of attention in a context where the maintenance of attention is essential.
How long do prison guards rest after a working day?Depending on the V1 or V2 already explained. 4 or 5 days-off are the usually expected rest after two or three working days (we do not mean 24 hours shift).
From 6.10 am to 2.10 pm; from 2 pm to 10 pm; from 9.50 pm to 6.20 am + day shifts
Do you use 24-hour shifts? If yes, on what occasions?We don't have 24-hour shifts
What do you think would be the effects of using 24-hour shifts on the guards and the quality of their work with inmates?/
How long do prison guards rest after a working day?There are always 8 hours between shifts (6.10 am-2.10 pm; 2 pm-10 pm; 9.50 pm-6.20 am) apart from the night shift , but there is enough compensatory rest after the night shift
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The working time of the prison staff is carried out in two regimes: evenly scheduled and unevenly scheduled. In an evenly scheduled regime, the prison staff has usually an 8-hour work shift. With an unevenly scheduled service time, the planned duration of shifts can be different for the prison staff, but usually it is in the regime of 6, 8 or 12 hours.
Do you use 24-hour shifts? If yes, on what occasions?No, we do not use 24-hour work shift.
What do you think would be the effects of using 24-hour shifts on the guards and the quality of their work with inmates?-
How long do prison guards rest after a working day?Prison guards have variable time off after the service duty/shift, mainly with regard to the length of their shift and other service needs. However, pursuant to the law, there is applied an obligation to provide the prison guard the time off lasting at least 12 hours between two consecutive shifts and one time off lasting at least 36 hours during seven consecutive calendar days.
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.
Our correctional service prison guards working 8 hour and 12 hour shifts. Prison guards whose work it 8 shifts, it is only day shifts (five days a week). 12 hour shifts guards work it 2 day shifts and two night shifts and four days off.
Do you use 24-hour shifts? If yes, on what occasions?We do not use 24 hours shifts.
What do you think would be the effects of using 24-hour shifts on the guards and the quality of their work with inmates?I think 24-hours shifts on the guards would be not good effect, because 24-hours shifts redusing quality of their work with inmates. If the guards is good rested, they are more motivated to work.
How long do prison guards rest after a working day?We do not use 24 hour shifts.
Working shifts among Prison Guards in the Danish Prison and Probation Service vary, according to type, regime and size of the institutions that employ them. In Remand Prisons, 24-hour shifts are widespread, sometimes accompanied by shorter shifts on working days. For the open/closed Prison regimes, 12-hour shifts are more common. In both the Open/Closed Prisons, there is a greater diversity of shift lengths than in Remand Prisons, according to the type of work the Prison Officer is scheduled to carry out.
Do you use 24-hour shifts? If yes, on what occasions?24-hour shifts are employed widely, mainly in Remand Prisons. Often, a part of the shift is carried out while the Prison Officer is “on-call”, meaning that the Officer is resting at the institution, but ready to answer calls/alarms from cells, doors etc. Typically, two Prison Officers carry out such a shift, covering either the totality or a section of cells in an institution together.
What do you think would be the effects of using 24-hour shifts on the guards and the quality of their work with inmates? How long do prison guards rest after a working day?The agreements between the Danish Prison and Probation Services and the Danish Prison Union along with the Danish governmental legislation Work Time Regulation issues a series of work time regulations and rest regimes. Generally, the following applies: ”Working shifts must be scheduled in accordance with a restitution period of 11 consecutive hours within each period of 24 hours. This daily restitution period can, to a limited extent, be decreased to a duration of 8 hours if agreed on by both employer and employee union." Furthermore: "Within each period of 7 days, the employees are required to have a 24-hour period off work, which is to be held in connection with a daily restitution period. This weekly 24-hour period should predominantly fall on Sundays, and predominantly for all employees of the company.” In the case of 24-hour shifts, the guidelines furthermore state that; “one work-free day (24h) is required both before and after a scheduled 24-hour shift”.
In the Italian penitentiary system, the Penitentiary Police staff works 36 hours per week. The daily shifts are structured into 4 quarters in 24 hours – therefore of six hours each – or on three thirds of eight hours each.
Do you use 24-hour shifts? If yes, on what occasions?We do not use 24 hours shifts.
What do you think would be the effects of using 24-hour shifts on the guards and the quality of their work with inmates?Considering the psychic-physical stress and the challenging work made by the penitentiary police staff, the shift of 24 hours would not ensure adequate levels of concentration and care necessary to maintain order and security in the detention wings. On the contrary, shifts of six or eight hours ensure the time necessary to perform the functions and duties of the Penitentiary Police staff.
How long do prison guards rest after a working day?The minimum period of rest between two work shifts is of eight hours. Such time is considered sufficient for the penitentiary Police staff to recover energies after a working shift.
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