Mobile Phone Inhibition
One of the major challenges in prisons worldwide lies in preventing access to or use of mobile phones by prisoners. When a person is admitted to prison custody, he or she is searched and prohibited items and money are taken. Similarly, searching takes place of prisoners returning from court, temporary release or visits.
Efforts are made on a continuous basis to prevent prisoners obtaining or using mobile phones. Such efforts include the installation of nets over exercise yards, vigilant observation of prisoners by staff, extensive CCTV monitoring, the use of screened visits and prisoner and cell searches. The Prison Service has introduced modern cameras and probe systems aimed at detecting, inter alia, mobile phones. These assist in searching previously difficult areas such as hollow chair or bed legs, U-bends in toilets, drain holes, under floor boards and other cavities. These technologies are a valuable asset in this area.
In order to further meet the continuing challenges faced by the Irish Prison Service in relation to preventing prisoners gaining access to contraband such as drugs, mobile phones and weapons, enhanced security screening measures are being introduced, whereby all entrants (visitors and employees alike) to our institutions will be subject to searching and screening.
In this regard walk through metal detectors are being installed in each closed prison and every visitor and member of staff will be required to pass through the metal detector before being granted access to the prison.
In addition x-ray scanners are also being provided to each closed prison and all hand bags, briefcases, packages, coats, etc. will be subject to screening.
An Operational Support Group has been established in each closed prison. The Group acts as dedicated search teams to enable prison management to radically increase the number of searches carried out so as to ensure that where contraband is entering the prison it is seized at the earliest possible opportunity.
However, it may be that technology offers the only real answer to dealing with the problem of mobile phones in prisons. The installation of a pilot scheme of technology to prevent the use of mobile phones in prisons began in Midlands / Portlaoise Prison Complex in April 2007.
The Inhibitors are being introduced on a phased basis in terms both of the physical structure of the prison, i.e., on a building by building basis and also in terms of the communications bands / channels that are being inhibited.
The Midlands scheme is now nearing completion and the Irish Prison Service is at an advanced stage in terms of its acceptance testing procedures. All indications continue to be very positive and the project to install inhibitors in Portlaoise Prison has commenced.
Irish Prison Service
IDA Business Park,
Ballinalee Road, Longford,
Co. Longford
+353 43 3335100 Fax: +353 43 3335101
Email: info@irishprisons.ie
www.irishprisons.ie
|
