If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov.

-.... ,..- -.,.--- ,..- I ~'" • • I • , I ~~~~ - - ~ ..'~ • ~ r ~ "'e';:'• ~ •• \. '.:. " .. '. " "1\ .f •

... , '\ , f ,: ' I' " l • 'JIf'"~, ' , , -• ," ~ " j' '. ~ , ,," , ~ • , , ,

•

• •

'.~,.: • • '-".~ <.-. ,~:

, ~ " • .,1"

.., 'I \ " • r· \,\~ ~;::':r:~:',:

-~ .;...... ~ ;.,.,~; ,.

-\10'

" '" ~ Cpp ... -,~ ,~ - • ~ , .. .' .. .'" ...-- Federal Bureau of Prisons Mission Statement The Federal Bureau of Prisons protects society by confining offenders in the controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilitieg that are safe, humane, and appropri­ ately secure, and which provide work and other self-improve­ ment opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens.

Cultural Anchors/Core Values II Bureaufamily The Bureau of Prisons recognizes that staff are the most valuable resource in accomplishing its mission, and is commit­ ted to the personal welfare and professional development of each employee. A concept of "Family" is encouraged through healthy, supportive relationships among staff and organization responsiveness to staff needs. The active participation of staff at all levels is essential to the development and accomplishment of organizational objectives. .. Soulld correctional management The Bureau of Prisons maintains effective security and control of its institutions utilizing the least restrictive means necessary, thus providing the essential foundation for sound correctional management programs . .. Correctional workersjirst All Bureau of Prisons staff share a common role as correctional worker, which requires a mutual responsibility for maintaining safe and secure institutions and for modeling society's mainstream values and nonns. III Promotes illfegrity The Bureau of Prisons finnly adheres to a set of values that promotes honesty and integrity in the professional efforts of its staff to ensure public confidence in the Bureau's prudent use of its allocated resources. II Recognizes the dignity of all Recognizing the inherent dignity of all human beings and their potential for change, the Bureau of Prisons treats inmates fairly and responsively and affords them opportunities for self­ improvement to facilitate their sllccessful re-entry into the community. The Bureau further recognizes that offenders are incarcerated as punishment, not for punishment. II Career sen'ice orientation The Bureau of Prisons is a career-oriented service, which has enjoyed a consistent management philosophy and a continuity of leadership, enabling it to evolve as a stable, professional leader in the field of cOlTections. II Commllnity relations The Bureau of Prisons recognizes and facilitates the integral role of the community in effectuating the Bureau's mission, and works cooperatively with other Iuw enforcement agencies, the courts. and other components of government. II High stalldards The Bureau of Prisons requires high standards of safety, security, sanitation, and discipline, which promot{ a physically and emotionally sound environment for both staff and inmates. 143573- U.S. Department of Justice 143577 National Institute of Justice

This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the person or organization originating It. Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the National Institute of Justice. Permission to reproduce this ";@!!!!!tf- material has been granted by FErlera1 prj sons ,Jollrnal/Federal Bureau of Prisons/US Dept. of ,Justice to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). Further reproduction outside of the NCJRS system requires permission of the ~owner. Fall 1992 1

Contents VOL. 3, NO.2. Fall1992

3 A Time of Transition 24 The Philadelphia Story 42 Managing Protective Kathleen M. Hawk Karen Byerly and Lynda Ford Custody Units JamesD.Henderson I,i. )j,~ An innovative work program provides 4 The Log opportunities to nonviolent offenders and Classification is the key to proactive builds partnerships between Federal management of the often difficult PC Correctional notes and comments agencies. ,I, :-', 'S '/3 inmate subpopulation. Atlanta-Oakdale: 5 Years Later Mentoring: A Concept With 48 Reusing Military Bases a Functional Role Kevin McMahon The Fort Smith Jail: Federal Many Federal prisons are sited on current Corrections on the Frontier or former military bases-with benefits Success or Failure With Sex Offenders to both taxpayers and communities. Challenges and Programs in Prison Psychology 51 Interview: Lee Jett John W. Roberts The Bureau's first African-American warden discusses his long and varied career.

57 Prisons in Israel Judith D. Simon and Rita J. Simon A look at a correctional system learning to cope with the pressures 30 Aggressive Recruitment of the intifada. )., 'i" '? Peter M. Wittenberg I d :5::, .I1"f How to develop a multimedia strategy for meeting your facility'S recruitment goals. 16 Conflict Resolution Chester Sigafoos 33 Mand.atory Literacy All correctional workers need to develop Sylvia G. McCollum !~. ~.:: ,. '\ the skills outlined here-step by step. An assessment of the impact of the Bureau of Prisons' new OED literacy standards.

37 Moscow Jails Gary O. George A visit to part of the Soviet Union's correctional system-as the country stood on the brink of massive change. ------) .

Fall 1992 57

Prisons in Israel

ludith D. Simon and Rita J. Simon criminal laws are sent. Arabs (except talk freely with randomly selected those convicted of security offenses) and inmates and with specific inmates whose In the spring of 1990, Middle East Jews are housed in common living units names were known to the Middle East Watch, a human rights organization, in these facilities. Residents of the Watch staff member. In all facilities our received permission from the Israeli occupied territories (the West Bank and conversations with the inmates took government to send a delegation to visit the Gaza Strip) who are being held under place outside the hearing of staff mem­ prisons in Israel, the West Bank, and administrative detention2 or who have bers. At some places we were given a Gaza. In August 1990, a three-person been convicted of a crime are not sent to private room in which to meet with pris­ delegation consisting of Rita Simon, a Prison Service prisons, but instead are oners and conduct extended interviews. sociologist, Judith Simon, an attorney held in camps run by the anny. Finally, the Police Ministry operates lockups for and a former corrections officer, and Eric 'The views expressed in this article are not shared by Goldstein, a staff member of Middle East pretrial detainees and for convicted one member of the delegation, Eric Goldstein, who Watch, visited four prisons run by the offenders awaiting transfer to a Prison wrote a separate report from that written by the other National Prison Service, two police Service facility. Israeli law requires that two members of the team. lockups run by the Ministry of Police, juveniles be separated from adult 2Administrative detention is not part of Israeli law and five detention camps run by the inmates, and in all facilities women are and therefore does not apply to Israeli citizens. It is Israeli Defense Forces (the Israeli army). kept separate from men. a law left over from British-ruled Palestine and has been maintained pursuant to the Hague and Geneva Our objective was to inspect and report Conventions. This law permits the Israeli govern­ on conditions inside the facilities. We At each facility we met with the warden ment to hold detainees for up to 6 months without were instructed not to investigate or or commander, who gave us a brief charging them with a specific crime. At the end of report on the propriety of incarcerating overview of the types of prisoners housed 6 months the detention may be extended for another 6-month period; there is no limit on the number of any particular inmates or groups of at the institution, explained general extensions. The detainee is not without legal re­ inmates (such as Palestinians being held institution policies, and answered our course because he can always file a complaint (a under administrative detention).! We many questions. Following the briefing, "Bagatz") with the Supreme Court. The Supreme returned in August 1992 for a the commander or one of his (or her) Court must review each complaint received and ask the government to followup visit to several institutions. assistants took us on a tour of the facility, respond to the allegations. including the kitchen, housing units, The National Prison Service, a isolation cells, medical facilities, Military prison camp division within the Ministry of education centers, work sites, and Daharreya. Police, operates all of the prisons recreation areas. At every facility to which adults convicted under Israeli we were permitted to

or:: .5 (I) ci ------

58 Federal Prisons Journal

National Prison The institutions varied in population industries. These private industries Service prisons from 125 (at Nevei Terza, a women's include woodworking and an electrical facility) to 640 (at Maasiyahu, a mini­ shop. Prison industries employ inmates The four Prison Service facilities we mum-security men's facility). We saw in print shops, and inmates wurk as visited appeared to be orderly, well-run one minimum-security facility, two groundskeepers, cooks, and maintenance institutions that more than adequately maximum-security facilities, and the sole workers. Several prisoners complained provide for the inmates' basic needs women's facility. Housing accommoda­ about the lack of safety in the workshops such as food and shelter, and provide an tions vary among the facilities, but at and recounted stories of inmates suffer­ impressive array of educational, voca­ most institutions at least two inmates are ing severe injuries. tional, and recreational opportunities. assigned to a room or cell. All cells or Each prison has a small clinic for treating rooms contain a sink, a toilet, a bed for Many prisoners take classes to earn their minor health problems. Inmates needing each inhabitant, and usually a shower and high school equivalency, and others take extensive treatment are sent to hospitals a window. Many inmates have personal specialized courses in computers, art, in the community or to the large prison radios, and some have televisions. In­ religious study, interpersonal skills, or medical center. The prisoners with whom mates are pelmitted to wear their own languages. Correspondence courses are we spoke appeared healthy and active. clothing and to decorate their rooms with available for prisoners wishing to earn pictures and other personal items. The college credits. rooms are not spacious, but the system is not overcrowded and in some places we The Prison Service has a number of other even saw empty beds.3 Most inmates programs of interest: spend a large part of the day outside of • Most inmates are eligible for a fur­ their cells at school, work, recreation, lough program after serving one-fourth and meals. All institutions have dining of their sentences. The furlough program halls where the prisoners take three daily permits inmates to leave the institution meals. We noted that the kitchens and for up to 72 hours. Additionally, inmates dining halls appeared clean and the food at the minimum-security facility who (meat and vegetables) looked appetizing.4 have 2 years or less remaining on their All institutions have outside recreation sentences are permitted to work outside areas, most with basketball courts. the prison during the day and return at Nearly all of the facilities have lovely night. grounds with well-kept lawns and many Isolation building, military prison camp flowers, all maintained by the inmates. Ketsiot. The National Prison Service maintains contracts with private companies that set National Prison Service policy requires up workshops at the institutions and the administration to allow inmates to e.mploy inmates at the prevailing mini­ receive at minimum one 30-minute visit mum wage, a rate of pay higher than that per month, one phone call per week, and offered by the government-owned prison an unlimited number of incoming and outgoing letters. Inmates are permitted to visit and speak over the phone with their 3Israeli law and Prison Service regulations permit attorneys as often as the attorney deems the Prison Service to refuse to accept inmates from necessary. None of the inmates with the prison lockups if there is no space in any of the institutions. Of course: this sometimes results in the whom we spoke indicated that the lockups becoming overcrowded. such as the facilities failed to adhere to these Russian Compound in Jerusalem. policies. 4The inmates complained that the food was bland Deputy commander ill yard outside protective and not often to their liking. but none complained custody. sink and showers in background; that there was not enough to eat. lIlili:m)' prison camp Ketsiot. Fall 1992 S9

visitation times in special areas where The two groups live in separate areas, but recreational facilities are available for the have similar facilities. They eat three children. A counselor employed by the meals each day in a dining hall; have a Prison Service works with the inmate and recreation room with books, a television, his family each week, or whenever the and a ping-pong table; and have weekly family can visit. half-hour family visits. The youth are out of their cells most of the day, attending Perhaps the most impressive aspect of classes in basic education, arts and crafts, the prisons run by the Prison Service is religion, and recreation. The youth the relationships we observed between convicted of ordinary crimes are permit­ inmates and staff and among the inmates. ted to work in a private industry shop. None of the inmates reported violence on the part of staff members, and both Police Ministry lockups inmates and staff members told us that The police lockups in Israel (the equiv­ One side offamily visiting area, village on there were very few incidents of violence alent of our county and city jails) are olltside offence; military prison camp between inmates. Many staff members under the direct control of the Police Daharreya. who accompanied us on our tours knew Ministry and are staffed by police of­ prisoners by name, and the prisoners ficers. The National Prison Service has • Some of the facilities have "drug-free were obviously acquainted with the staff no involvement with these facilities. We wards" that permit prisoners who have members (including commanders), some visited the two largest facilities, one in demonstrated a commitment to remain of whom they addressed by their first Tel Aviv-Abu Kabir-and the other in free of drugs and alcohol to enjoy names! On several occasions inmates Jerusalem-the Russian Compound. The privileges not available to the general would approach staff members with facilities could not have been more population, such as a later "lights out" requests and seemed satisfied with the different. time, additional recreation time, and responses they received. There was more spacious quarters. Some prisons no yelling or catcalling as we passed The Russian Compound, a building also have religious wards that permit through various parts of the institutions. constructed by the British in 1856 to prisoners who so wish to devote many Arab and Jewish inmates reportedly get house Russian pilgrims to Jerusalem, was hours each day to religious studies and along, with few problems. the worst facility we saw on our 1990 to lead a relatively pious life. visit. The 300 inmates (most of whom The Prison Service has in its custody • Women inmates who bear children juveniles who, by law, must be kept while they are in prison are permitted to separate from adult inmates. The keep their children at the facility until the juveniles fall into two groups: those child reaches age 2.5 charged with ordinary crimes such as car • Several facilities have family therapy theft, and those charged with intifada6- programs to help inmates improve related crimes such as stone throwing. communication within their families. The One Prison Service facility, Ha Sharon, therapy sessions are conducted during houses all of the youth charged with ordinary crimes, and some of the youth charged with intifada-related activities.7 5We saw a woman and her child living at the women's prison. The child seemed healthy and happy and the women seemed pleased to have him ·"Intifada" refers to the uprising of the Palestinians there. The mother's roommate had volunteered to living in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem live with the woman and her child and enjoyed the that has continued since the late 1980's. responsibility of helping with the baby.

7Arab juveniles arrested for illli/ai!a-related YOlllh living area, military prison camp activities also were held in one of the military Meggido. camps and at the Russian Compound in Jerusalem. ~------

60 Federal Prisons Journal

were adult Arab men) were crammed into tion officer spends 90 minutes to 2 hours hot, poorly lit, poorly ventilated, smoke­ each day with the youth in the recreation filled cells, where they remain all day room and on the yard outside. save for mealtime in the dining hall three times a day, and 1 hour of yard time. The second police lockup, the Abu Kabir Prior to 1988 the Russian Compound facility in Tel Aviv, is entirely different. held about 80 detainees, but the facility It is a much newer and larger building had since been expanded to accommo­ (capacity is 500 detainees) with large, date the increase in arrests due to the weB-lit, well-ventilated cells, many of intifada. The Police Ministry had plans to which were empty. Like the inmates at further expand the complex to improve the Russian Compound, the inmates the deplorable conditions. spend at least 1 hour on the yard each day; eat three meals a day in the dining Many of those held at the Russian Family visiting area, mi/itG/y prison camp hall; may purchase cigarettes, toiletries, Compound have been convicted and Ketsiot. Families place items brought to and food from a canteen; and have sentenced and are awaiting transfer to a prisoners in separate bins. weekly 90-minute family visits in an Prison Service facility as soon as space open visiting area. becomes available. To accommodate reported that they receive very few sentenced inmates, who by law are newspapers and books. The kitchen Army detention camps entitled to rights not afforded detainees, looked clean and the food looked and The Israeli army operates a number of the facility commander created a canteen smelled good. detention camps in which they hold Arab and visiting area where the inmates can residents of the occupied territories who visit with theii' families on a weekly Women detainees and women convicted have been arrested for intifada-related basis. A doctor is on call 24 hours a day, of minor crimes are also held at the activities (including printing pamphlets, and a medic passes through each wing of Compound in a separate wing. The two building explosives, and possessing the compound every day to speak with cells, each holding 11 women, were not weapons) or who are being administra­ the prisoners and make a list of those crowded, and were well lit and well tively detained.s No Palestinian women wishing to see the doctor. Despite the ventilated. The women have reading are held in army-run facilities; rather, poor living conditions, the inmates material provided by the Red Cross and they are housed in a separate section of a looked healthy. The Red Cross provides are permitted to bring their own bed Prison Service prison. The camps are reading materials, though the detainees linens. Like the men, they are permitted governed by the "Military Policy weekly family visits. In addition to the Directive Concerning Detention Centers" prison doctor, who they can see by and the Israeli Defense Forces' Standing placing a request with the medic, the Orders. In accordance with international women may have their private doctors law, administrative detainees are held examine them at the facility. We heard separately from those who are awaiting no complaints about abuse by staff or trial or have been convicted.9 other inmates. The need for facilities to house large The Russian Compound also holds Arab numbers of detainees and persons juveniles arrested for intifada-related charged with intifada-related crimes activities. These youth are kept in a arose quickly; therefore, the army was separate wing; the cells each hold 35-41 juveniles, some of whom had to sleep on mattresses on the floor. Despite the SThe government explains that it is often unable ventilator, and in some cases a window, to charge individuals with specific crimes; in order to prove that such crimes were committed the Infirmary, military prison camp Ketsiot. the rooms were stuffy and dark. There is government would be forced to expose infonnants a recreation room with a television, board whose lives would then be in jeopardy. games, and a ping-pong table; a proba- Fall 1992 -61

forced to convert existing buildings into aside from food preparation and laundry. appropriate holding facilities,1O and to The areas are large enough to permit the construct camps similar to those set up men to exercise and to gather in small for soldiers (with the addition of barbed­ groups to pray. wire fencing surrounding each group of tents and surrounding the entire camp). The camp commanders generally leave The camps are all quite large; in 1990 the day-to-day living arrangements to the the smallest held 450 prisoners, and the prisoners. Nearly all the camps employ largest 6,200. The atmosphere at all of the "shaweesh" system, whereby a group the camps was markedly more tense and of men are selected jointly by the prison more hostile than at the Prison Service commander and the inmates to act as prisons. The soldiers who guard the spokesmen for the prisoners. Prisoners inmates were not specially trained in other than the slzaweeshim are generally corrections, and they were forced to live prohibited from speaking to the soldiers, in camps adjacent to the prison camps but this rule is not enforced at all General population living IIllit, military and endure the same uncomfortable facilities. The shaweeshim are respon­ prison camp Ketsiot. conditions as the prisoners. sible for such things as meal planning and setting portion sizes (the inmates' In 1990, all the camps had isolation cells Most of the detainees live in large tents, kitchens receive raw ingredients, the for prisoners who violate rules, and for each with 26 beds. They sleep on same as those given the soldiers, from inmates needing protection." These cells mattresses placed on top of wood pallets which they prepare food as they see fit), were, in all cases, dark, small, and hot. (as do the soldiers). In alI but one of the for resolving problems among the In some camps the cells were empty, camps, each group of tents has showers inmates, and for speaking with the but those that were occupied were quite and toilet facilities accessible at alI times, commanders about complaints and crowded and the occupants looked though hot water may only be available problems the prisoners are having. Aside somewhat dazed. several times per week. Most inmates from the counts taken several times a day leave their tent areas only for attorney or and the weekly or monthly searches, the Inmates are entitled to three meals a family visits, or to see the doctor. There soldiers rarely enter the inmates' living day, to visit with lawyers freely and are few work opportunities in the camps, areas, and generally have little contact frequently, to receive and send mail, to with them. At several facilities the receive medical treatment, and to be free inmates offered us coffee, tea, and sweets from physical abuse. In no facilities are while we spoke with them. At one the prisoners permitted to make phone facility the commander drank coffee and calls. Personal radios and televisions chatted with prisoners in the kitchen area are prohibited, but news and music are while we wandered around and spoke broadcast several times a day in Hebrew with other inmates. and Arabic. The Red Cross provides reading materials, including newspapers and books; only titles on an "approved 9 Administrative detainees are entitled to greater book list" are permitted. Inmates wear rights and privileges than prisoners charged with or convicted of specific charges. The Israeli army their own clothing, but in some facili­ provides them with somewhat better living ties they are prohibited from wearing accommodations. red, black, or green-the colors of the IOOne camp, Meggido, had been a military prison for Palestine Liberation Organization. Also Israeli soldiers, and a second, Fara'ah, was built by prohibited are the giving of lectures or the British as a prison. Yard outside general popularonllollsing lin it, seminars, and wearing jewelry (though military prison camp Meggido. II Inmates suspected of "collaborating" with the we noticed that many inmates were Israelis are frequently attacked or killed-often wearing watches and necklaces). before they are aware of such suspicions. If the officials are notified, they immediately remove the suspected prisoner from the general population. 62 Federal Prisons Journal

The inmates at the military camps had to physical abuse. The inmates are well many more complaints than did those at fed and receive medical treatment, they Prison Service facilities on our 1990 are free to spend time with one another, visit. The physical setup at the camps and they receive visits from their lawyers was more rugged and less comfor- and families. table, but this was not the source of the complaints. Rather, the men complained We did see problems that needed to be that their mail was often delayed weeks addressed, including the lack of family and sometimes never received at all; they visits at the largest army camp, the lacked interesting reading material and deplorable conditions at the Russian suffered from boredom; they were not Compound in Jerusalem, and the lack permitted to visit with their lawyers or of activities for the prisoners held in the their families as often as they desired; 12 army camps. and they did not receive adequate medical care. A second visit: 1992 Recfptiol/ area for new intakes, militG/y prison camp DallGrreya. In the summer of 1992, the authors All of the members of our delegation returned to three of the prison camps were pleasantly surprised at the condi­ run by the Israeli Defense Forces that we During the past 2 years, the Israeli tions we saw at the 11 facilities during visited 2 years earlier, and also visited an Defense Forces have been able to give our 1990 visit. The National Prison additiomll camp. The overall population additional training to the Military Police Service prisons were impressive by of Palestinians held in prison camps under commanders in charge of the facilities, any standards-in terms of the physical administrative detention has decreased and they now have military police at conditions, the relations between inmates significantly,13 due in part to a change in nearly all facilities. These soldiers have and their custodians, and the policies. the policy of the military justice system been specifically trained to work with The camps run by the army were less to detain only those charged with more prisoners. These factors-the decrease impressive in those aspects, but were substantial offenses. 14 The decrease in in population, the additional training far better than we expected. We saw no population has alleviated most of the provided to staff, and the expertise evidence that the prisoners are subjected overcrowding problems. As a result, gained from operating the prison camps living conditions have improved and for several years-has led to many there is less tension at the camps. In the changes in the prisons that render them past year there were only two murders, more humane places of confinement. no suicides, and very little violence either on the part of inmates or staff. Improvements have been made regarding the processing of mail, the quality of food, conditions under which family and 12There continues to be a serious problem with attorney visits take place, forms of family visits at Ketsiol, the largest military punishment for disciplinary violations, detention camp. Because the camp is located in a and staff-detainee relations. Two years security zone, the prisoners' families may not travel ago, the detainees complained that they there without escort. The families-as a form of protesting the civilian administration that governs did not receive their mail in a timely the West Bank-have refused to participate in the fashion, they were not permitted to see escort program arranged by the Red Cross. The their lawyers as often as needed, and that arnlY continues to negotiate with the Palestinians in their family visits were problematic. In the hope of working out a mutually acceptable plan. 1992 we heard no complaints about the Shower/bathroom area iI/side livil/g area, I3Presently there are about 7,500 detainees. Persons mail except at Ketsiot (the largest militmy prisol/ camp Fara'all. are being detained at the rate of 10-12,000 per year, down from 20,000 per year ut the high point. facility), where we were told that "The number of administrmive detainees has dropped 70 percent over the past 2 years.

L-______~ _____~ ____ _ ------~.--.------.

Fall 1992 63

inmates received very little mail and The army now rarely uses isolation classes is at Meggido. The commander were not permitted to send out letters. cells as punishment. In three of the four of Meggido pern1its one of the adults We investigated these allegations an~ camps we visited, isolation cells are not to serve as a teacher for the 300 youth saw the log where all the incoming and used at all, and at Ketsiot, where they (aged 14-16) a1:d hold classes in subjects outgoing mail is recorded-about 2,500 continue to be used, new cells are a such as math and history. The adults at pieces each week. At every facility we dramatic improvement over the small, Meggido are also permitted to hold were told by the military commanders dark, hot cells we previously saw. The classes (so long as the subject is not ter­ that the censors were able to process the new cells are large (12 square meters rorism), but the detainees rarely do so. mail quickly and no problems existed. with a maximum of four prisoners and a minimum of two), each has a big win­ In none of the camps did we hear allega­ In 1992 we heard no complaints regard­ dow, and, most importantly, the occu­ tions of staff brutality and in only one ing lawyer visits. At every facility new pants are permitted to spend 90 minutes facility did we hear a legations of staff structures have been built that provide outside each day. misconduct: at Ketsiot the shaweeshim the detainees and their attorneys a fair with whom we spoke claimed that amount of privacy; the soldier who is A significant number of detainees were soldiers have stolen from the families monitoring the visit stands in a room in protective custody at Ketsiot. These during the course of searching them with a closed door separating him from men are permitted 6 hours in the yard, before the visit. The Commander and his the detainees and lawyers. The prisoners' and they are the only prisoners held staff reported that such allegations had only complaint regarding family visits by the Israeli Defense Forces who are never been raised before, either to them in 1992 was that the buildings are too afforded the luxury of viewing televi­ or to the members of the Red Cross who crowded and noisy so that the visits are sion! To date there are still no personal visit Ketsiot. not as pleasant as if they were more radios allowed inside the facilities, but private. An alternative would be to cut there is talk of changing this policy in In general, both detainees and staff felt back on the frequency of visits for each the near future. that relations were much improved as detainee, but this is not an attractive compared to several years ago and that possibility. Detainees (administrative and others) there was little hostility or animosity at are still prohibited from holding classes the camps. At Meggido, where relations Every facility had new structures for or giving lectures, though most of the between staff and the detainees were family visits that provide shelter from commanders permit the inmates to sit remarkably good 2 years ago, the situ­ the sun and rain. Even at Ketsiot, where in their tents and speak quietly about ation is extraordinary. Not only did both there had been no family visits for sev­ whatever they wish. The only exception the detainees and the staff mention this eral years, visits now take place twice a to the prohibition against conducting in our discussions, but their actions made month. Family visits were taking place this eminently clear. For example, as we the day we were there, and we were able sat and talked with the shaweeshim, they to see the families and detainees talking welcomed the commander, his deputy, and visiting. When the detainee's family and the officer in charge of the section to includes very young children the men sit at their table under a tent, smoke their are permitted to visit outside of the main cigarettes, drink their coffee, and eat their structure (where two meshes separate pastries and candies. They also provided \ the two groups) in an area where there is these refreshments to the officer standing r.-::::::': . only a single fence. This way the father ~~~~ watch outside the gate! One of the is able to put his hand through the holes _, .,;;.~.:d -;';~.'!. shaweeshim explained: in the fence and touch the child. We were able to see the orderly manner in which the army inspects and processes the pack­ ages of food, clothing, and personal supplies brought for the detainees. Recreation yard for isolation section, military prison camp Kelsiol. 64 Federal Prisons Journal

The commander has taught us any of the army prison camps or the police telephone or personally visit the how to live together in peace. My National Prison Service facilities. In inmate's family within 48 hours of his dream is for our own country, for early August 1992, several Knesset or her UlTival at the jail. Every inmate peace, for our children, mine and members visited the Russian Compound (except those in interrogation) is permitted his, to go to the same school. and reported deplorable conditions, to visit with family once a week, and to similar to those we witnessed in 1990. place a phone call to family once a week At the time of the Israeli elections When we visited the Russian Compound as well. The complaints are that the 30 we held a congress that met for on August 16,1992, we were pleasantly minutes outside in the yard is not enough, 10 days to discuss the intifada, surprised at the remarkable improve­ the food lacks variety, and the medical prison, and the world. This was ments that had been made! The most care is not as good as it should be (though our experience with democracy. important difference was the size of the there have been no outbreaks of disease). population, down from 300, at the time Conditions at the Russian Compound did of our 1990 visit, to just 204. 15 (It was not, at the time of our visit, differ dramati­ interesting to note that at the time of our cally from those at the army prison camps. visit, 56 out of the 174 adult men were Jews.) Both the Israeli Defense Forces and the Ministry of Police should be commended This reduction has led to a dramatic on the significant efforts they have made improvement in the living conditions to improve the facilities we visited. The inside the cells; no longer were large Israeli army should also be commended numbers of inmates sleeping on the floor, for the extraordinary access they granted no longer was the air in the rooms so hot us to visit their facilities and to speak with and stale that breathing was difficult. the inmates .• Instead, the ventilators seemed to keep the air circulating; one could even feel a breeze in some of the rooms. Very few Judith D. Simon is an attorney in the inmates were forced to sleep on the floor. Office of General Counsel, Federal Mobile denIal unit treating prisoners, military There was enough room in the cells for Bureau of Prisons. Rita J. Simon is prison camp Ketsiot. the inmates to have a little table and Professor of Sociology and Law at chair, to keep their personal property, to American University in Washington, D.C. The detainees were not without com­ hang their laundry to dry, and to walk plaints: there is not enough variety in the around without stepping on someone. food, medical treatment is not as good as Other improvements included new paint it should be, the rooms are hot, and visits on the walls, beautiful murals on the are too short. But it was clear that the walls in the dining halls (where every situation at the prisons run by the Israeli prisoner eats three meals a day), clean Defense Forces had improved dramati­ cells, and much less tension. cally in the past 2 years, and they cannot now be said to violate accepted standards The inmates at the Russian Compound for care of prisoners. had some complaints, but many fewer than we heard in 1990. No longer is there In addition to the army prison camps, we a problem with inmates notifying their also returned to the Russian Compound, families that they are being held; the the city jail in Jerusalem that is run by the Police Ministry. Two years ago we ISThis reduction was the result of the National found conditions in the Russian Com­ Prison Service accepting from the jail a significant Overlooking general population living area, pound to be substantially worse than at number of sentenced prisoners. The population military prison camp Fara'ah. could again rise if the National Prison Service waits a long time before accepting another butch of prisoners.