Thus, the year 2020 was marked by the equipment of new penal institutions with electronic surveillance systems in order to control all movements within these facilities, to halt the introduction of prohibited items, to monitor sensitive and difficult access areas, to document the events taking place there, to determine responsibilities and to initiate quickly an intervention in case of emergency.
According to the report, 29 prisons are equipped with advanced digital camera surveillance systems connected to a central surveillance room. Another 33 institutions have a video surveillance system, while 6 institutions have had their systems strengthened through the reinforcement and replacement of cameras and monitoring devices.
The same source added that prisons have been equipped with a significant number of materials and electronic equipment to detect prohibited items, in order to facilitate the operation of control and inspection so as to ensure the safety of the prison, inmates and employees, as well as users. These logistical measures have been reinforced by the usual security measures that help reduce violations and aggression, and stop the introduction of prohibited items.
These measures, the report added, will allow a very positive evolution of security indicators. The number of contraventions notified to the Public Prosecutor's Office fell from 14,461 cases in 2019 to 13,356 cases in 2020: a decrease of 7.64%. During the same period, the number of drug seizures decreased from 1,269 cases to 773, a decline of 39%, whereas the number of seizures of cell phones plunged from 858 to 218, a decline of 74.59%. The number of cases of money seizure declined from 548 to 213 cases (-61.13%).
Regarding the evaluation of the introduction of lunch baskets in prisons, the report revealed that this measure has led to a significant reduction in the number of seizures of illicit products in 2019 compared to 2016, before its ban came into force. Indeed, cases of drug possession decreased by 48.16%, cell phone seizures by 91.73%, money seizures by 63.80% and the number of seizures of sharp items by 47.08%.
In terms of reducing the workload of employees, 52% of officials assigned to controlling and inspecting supply baskets were exempted from these tasks.
In addition, the report stresses that the DGAPR has worked on the development of a guide for the management of dangerous detainees, intended for all employees of penal institutions, especially those who are in direct daily contact with inmates of the dangerous category, whose behavior could be a threat to security and safety, requiring enhanced security measures.
This guide aims, according to the report, to orient officials to the measures and procedures to be adopted to manage this category of detainees, in accordance with international standards stipulating the protection of human rights and preservation of human dignity, as well as in compliance with the provisions of Law 23/98 governing prisons, the decree on its implementation and security management procedures.
During the year 2020, the DGAPR has worked on the development of new areas dedicated to this category of detainees in some prisons, the aim being that of implementing a classification system in full compliance with the regulatory laws in force, the fundamental principles of human rights and the rules of treatment of prisoners, the report concluded.