Israel Prison Service

The Israel Prison Service (Hebrew: שירות בתי הסוהר‎, Sherut Batei HaSohar, Arabic: إدارة السجون الإسرائيلية‎[1]), commonly known in Israel by its acronym Shabas (or IPS in English), is the prison service of Israel. It is responsible for maintaining civilian prisons in Israel, as well as detention centers for security prisoners. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Security.[2] In 2008, the IPS employed 7,791 workers.[3]

Contents

Prisons

The IPS is divided into three blocs: north (north of Netanya), center (between Netanya and Ashdod), and south (south of Ashkelon and Jerusalem). The IPS is headed by the Commissioner of Prisons. In 2008, there were 32 correctional facilities, whereof five detention centers, housing a total of 25,000 prisoners. 60% were serving time for criminal offenses and 40% for security offences.[4]

North Bloc

Center Bloc

South Bloc

Detention centers

Training

Israel Prison Service personnel are trained in krav maga and conduct training for the prison service (kli'a) wing of the Israeli Military Police.[5]

Ranks

Jailers

Non-commissioned officers

Officers

Special units

Metzada

Metzada (named after Masada) is IPS's quick response and intervention force and specializes in suppression of prisoner uprisings, especially in prisons containing Palestinian detainees. It consists mainly of special forces veterans from the IDF.[6]

Nahshon

Nahshon is the IPS's main intervention and conveyance unit and deals with searches, silencing disturbances, guarding IPS staff, etc.[7]

Yamar Dror

Yamar Dror, founded at the end of 1993, is the IPS unit for fighting narcotics. It specializes in searches and interrogation.

Commanders

Privately run prisons

Plans for privately-run prisons have been on the drawing board since 2006. The state hoped to save money by transferring prisoners to such facilities, which would eliminate the need to invest in more infrastructure and manpower. In 2009, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that private prisons are unconstitutional.[8] Following the decision, the state will have to pay compensation to a company that has already completed construction of the first private prison, near Beersheba. [8]

See also

Israel portal
Criminal justice portal

References

  1. ^ "الهيئات التي تقع تحت مسؤولية وزارة ووزير الأمن الداخلي." Ministry of Public Security. Retrieved on 7 March 2011.
  2. ^ Israel Prison Service. Ministry of Public Security. Retrieved on 7 March 2011.
  3. ^ "Staff Statistics – Total Staff per Bloc". Israel Prison Service. http://www.shabas.gov.il/Shabas/SEGEL/Staff+Info/נתוני+סגל+-+סהכ+סגל+בחלוקה+לגושים.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-03.  (Hebrew)
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ Kosti, Nir (July 17, 2009). "IPS Special Forces will Train (IDF) Guards". Bamahane (Issue 2997): p. 16.  (Hebrew)
  6. ^ "Metzada Unit" (in Hebrew). http://www.ips.gov.il/NR/exeres/34B07B71-CB34-4CFE-B9B1-047A5356210B,frameless.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-05. 
  7. ^ "Nahshon Unit" (in Hebrew). http://www.ips.gov.il/NR/exeres/BBFDAF85-883A-491E-A6C5-3AB523A6A820,frameless.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-05. 
  8. ^ a b International legal precedent: No private prisons in Israel

Bibliography

External links

Israel Police
Other
Israel Prison Service · Military Police Corps