STATEMENT of the Minister Avi Dicter Minister of Public Security Over the past year, the Ministry of Public Security and all the agencies under its jurisdiction began to take measures aimed at implementing the policy that has been formulated for those agencies; a policy intended to increase the personal safety of Israel’s citizens and their general sense of security. In 2007, the Israel Police undertook a number of important strategic steps, the first one being the transfer of the incarceration and prisoner escort system from the Israel Police to the Israel Prison Service (IPS). The purpose of this step is to turn the IPS into the national incarceration authority and to enable the Israel Police to allocate its resources for the war against crime in all its various forms and to strengthen the personal security of the country’s citizens. The second step concerns the strengthening of the intelligence capabilities of the Israel Police. In the course of last year, emphasis was placed on the organization’s reinforcement and on its adaptation for the war against serious crime, with special attention being given to the incorporation of technological tools that will place the Israel Police on the same front-line as other public security and intelligence agencies and which will create a turning-point in the war against severe crime. Recently, the new National Crime Unit was established in the ranks of the Israel Police: “Lahav 433”, which has 950 police officers from five different national units that are actively involved in the war against crime. Together, they create a strong, single body that will be at the forefront of the struggle against crime in all districts throughout the country. The Ministry of Public Security is also currently in the process of establishing the Israel Witness Protection Authority, an agency that will be yet another important player in the struggle against severe crime. In the battle against traffic accidents, the Ministry of Public Security is cooperating with the Israel Police in the application of technological means to enforce traffic laws, and the ministry itself is in the advanced stages of preparing a public tender for the activation of an automatic country-wide electronic traffic law enforcement system. Over the past year, work has begun on the implementation of the nation-wide “City without Violence” program. The main element in this program is collaboration between local communities and all the relevant professional agencies in the struggle against violence. This collaboration is part of the work being conducted by the cabinet ministers’ committee on the struggle against violence; a committee in which the Ministry of Public Security and its various agencies play a major role as far as policy implementation is concerned. The Ministry of Public Security is today investing considerable time and energy in order to increase the level of international cooperation between those agencies involved in homeland security, in the war against global terrorism and in related fields. Over the past year, a memorandum of mutual understanding was signed with the American Department of Homeland Security, agreements of cooperation were signed with the Secretary of State for Security in Spain and the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior, and a joint statement with the Canadian Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness was presented. The aim of the Ministry of Public Security’s short-, medium- and long-range implementation of policy is to reinforce public security in the State of Israel as the country stands on the brink of its 60th anniversary. I wish to express my sincere hope that the implementation of these public security policies will increase the personal security of Israel’s citizens and the national security of the State of Israel. The Minister of Public Security’s Research Award FROM THE EDITOR was granted last year to Chief Superintendent Amihai Hever Hiddai Wagschal for developing the Training Head, Information Services Unit Dictionary. I deeply regret the fact that Amihai will not see his Ministry of Public Security article, which appears in this issue, due to his having passed The State of Israel is celebrating Metzila is a key player and away after a courageous battle the 60th anniversary of which contribute to the local with cancer. its founding and, in these community through the The past year has been one celebrations, a special emphasis empowerment of its young of great momentum for the is placed on the future citizens. The article about Ministry Public Security, as generation; the 60th year of raising dogs to serve national can be seen in the booklet’s Israeli statehood is marked as security describes a unique selection of news items about Israel’s Year of the Child. project run by the Chief the Ministry. Scientist in which youths are Much of the activity of the I wish to thank all those who Ministry of Public Security actively involved. This issue of Innovation Exchange presents have been involved in the through its various branches production of this booklet, involves work with children the impressive extent to which the Israel Police and the Israel especially my friends in the and youth that is designed Israel Police, the Israel Prison to promote their personal Prison Service interact with youth. Service and the Ministry of development and which thus Public Security. makes a significant contribution Another issue that we have to public security in Israeli focused on in this booklet I would like to conclude with society through distancing is training, the development a prayer for the future, for children and youth from crime of the future generation and a future full of productive, and through teaching them to personal feedback in Israel’s law positive activity that will be law-abiding citizens who enforcement network and which lead to new horizons; for respect others. is the topic of the article about shining achievements in all the IPS’ Nir Training Center and areas of public security and In this booklet, you can read for the success of the future about special projects where about the future training center of the Israel Police. generation, who are the true face of the State of Israel. Innovation Exchange © Ministry of Public Security Issue No. 14, 2008 P.O.B. 18182 Published by the Information Services Unit, Jerusalem 91181, Israel Ministry of Public Security Tel: 972-2-542 9755/6 Editor Hiddai Wagschal Co-Editor Shaul Weisband Fax: 972-2-582 6767 Graphics Anna Khodorkovski Email: [email protected] Translation Mark Elliot Shapiro Website: www.mops.gov.il Photography Spokesman’s Office, Israel Prison Service Israel Police Printing Ayalon Printing & Production Innovation Exchange is available online at our website www.mops.gov.il/bpeng To update your mailing details or to add or delete names on our mailing list, please notify us by email, fax or mail. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means, without the prior permission of the publisher and without giving credit to the source. Cover: Photo by Ziv Koren “A day in the life of the IPS” Project Metzada Unit, IPS ISSN 0792-769X TABLE OF CONTENTS

Statement of the Minister...... 1

From the Editor...... 2

THE MINISTRY

Ministry Structure...... 5

A Year in the Ministry: News in Brief...... 6

A Bi-National Symposium on the Impact of Global Terrorism on Police and Policing...... 1 0 Shaul Weisband

METZILA-Community and Crime Prevention Division 14 Eilat Mishor

The Ministry’s dog breeding and training program for security purposes...... 2 0 Roni Borochov, Shaul Weisband

City Without Violence...... 2 3 Orly Innes-Kenig, Ph.d

POLICING

Israel Police Counter Terrorism Unit (YAMAM) Quality Personnel as the Secret of Success...... 2 6 Major Hani C. Israel Police National Training Center is Gaining Momentum...... 29 Training Center Tender Committee

The Young Detectives Club: The Israel Police and Israel’s excelling students work together...... 31 Shaul Weisband

Instruction or Learning? And the key between them...... 35 Chief Superintendent Amihai Hever

Israel Police Launches National DNA Databank...... 39 Superintendent Hanita Grant

Applications and Project Management Department... 4 1 Commander Shay Kuperman

New National Crime Unit Inaugurated...... 4 4 Department of Information Services

CORRECTIONS: PRISON SERVICE

Laboratory for Life...... 4 6 IPS, Office of Spokesperson

Straight Talk about Drinking...... 5 3 IPS, Office of Spokesperson

Keeping a Close Watch...... 5 8 IPS, Office of Spokesperson

A New Horizon...... 62 IPS, Office of Spokesperson

Year in the Ministry: A News in Brief emorandum srael Witness Mof Mutual IProtection Understanding Signed Authority Established The new authority is responsible for by the Ministry of the protection of threatened Public Security and the witnesses in crucial American DHS and severe cases and was assigned After being appointed with three major Cabinet Minister roles: responsible for • To protect the cooperation with the U.S. witnesses which Department of Homeland have been Security by the Israeli accepted to the Cabinet, the Minister protection program, which will last of Public Security, even after the end of the legal process Avi Dicter, signed a depending on the severity of the threat memorandum of mutual and the degree of danger to the witness. Minister Dicter understanding with his • To develop and distribute methods and and Secretary Chertoff American counterpart, the rules, including professional knowledge Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States collection, international cooperation and of America, Mr. Michael Chertoff. personnel qualification. • To increase the public appeal and the The memorandum was signed during Minister civilian duty to honestly testify, whether Dicter’s official visit to the United States in February in court or at the police station. and refers to fields such as: Aryeh Livneh (Leibo) was appointed • Counter terrorism Director of the Witness Protection • Aviation security, including passenger and baggage Authority. The Minister of Public Security, inspection Avi Dicter, instructed the authority to be • Information exchange on planning, responses, operational already in early 2008 due to its recovery and damage control during a state of vitality to the battle against crime in Israel. emergency • Research, development, experimenting and evaluation, including protocols and standardization of experiments, technology and methods of exposing explosives.

6 srael IElectronic mbudsman for Police Monitoring Oand Prison Service Program Personnel twReport Presented §¸®·¥d£¡ Reaches the to Knesset Committeetrrvotrr x 600 Milestone The Ministry of Public of the Internal Affairs and Security’s Ombudsman for Environment Committee. One of the key tasks of the Police and Prison Service¸£ª§Ÿµ¸£Ÿ§´® Minister Dicter congratulated Ministry of Public Security Personnel, Major General (ret.) the Ombudsman and her staff is to provide feasible Hanna Keller,«§¶¢£¯¢£«§¶¦£·¢ presented in July for submitting the report after solutions to the problem the Ombudsman’s Triennial three years that the Ministry of prison overcrowding in Report to the Minister of failed to officially submit the Israel. As part of this goal, Public Security, Avi Dicter, report and present the findings. the Chairman of the Internal “The complaints in the report the Ministry continuously Affairs and Environment are an expression of the trust invests time and effort Committee in the Knesset, police officers and prison in developing innovative Knesset Member Ophir Pines- service personnel have in the methods that will help meet «§¶¢£¯¢£«§¶¦£·¢¸£ª§Ÿµ¸£Ÿ§´® Paz and to the members system” said the Minister. §¸®·¥d£¡ the needs of the correction trrvotrrx facilities in Israel.

Electronic monitoring of igh School Academy pre-trial detainees and prisoners on house arrest HGraduates First Class after being released on bail or on parole is one The unique high school criminology and sociology such efficient alternative program implemented in while focusing on law the Kanot Youth Village and obedience, democracy and to holding individuals the Ma’alot High School police models. The study in correctional facilities, graduated its first class in track familiarizes the students enabling the Israel Police to July. Thirty seven students with the Israel Police and its monitor the whereabouts of graduated the policing study work while instilling values the prisoners or detainees. track, four of which graduated such as mutual assistance, The E.M. program started in with honors. involvement, community May 2005. The program curriculum service and violence/crime As of January 2008, 604 includes subjects such as prevention. detainees and prisoners are being monitored simultaneously by the program and a total of 1,570 people have participated since the program’s establishment. THE MINISTRY 7 Protection of State Land The Ministry of Public • The Department for Security took the coordination Construction Supervision efforts on protection of state in the Ministry of Interior land under its wing and is • The Supervision heading the enforcement Department in the Israel and coordination efforts on Land Authority rime the subject. The field was • The Department of Prevention developed due to the large Wilderness in the Israel C extent of illegal building and Nature and National Parks Seminar for invasion of state property Protection Authority over the past years. Recent • The Department of Land Metzila Staff government decisions were Laws in the office of the made in order to upgrade the State Prosecution Metzila, the Ministry’s law enforcement on these Crime Prevention issues: The Ministry of Public and Community 1. Forming an official policy Security, in accordance with Department, held a and enforcement strategy its Minister’s policy, decided five day seminar on on a system-wide, inter- to raise the issue to the highest crime prevention for ministerial level. priority and appoint Dr. Ram its professional staff. 2. Enhancing the enforcement Gal responsible for the subject The course was designed to effectiveness on an within the Ministry and chief impart project coordinators, operational level, while coordinator between all the regional directors and optimizing the coordination cooperating bodies. professional staff with the between the relevant bodies: knowledge and skills to prevent crime and ensure public safety. ublic Complaints The study topics were taken from the every day PDepartment Releases work schedule of a Metzila coordinator, such as financial 2006 Annual Report management of projects, The department processes Police, 22% (485 cases) were operating Metzila programs all complaints received from filed against the Israel Prison on a regional level and the duties of a coordinator. Other the public concerning the Service and 10 cases were subjects regarded the world of work of the Israel Police and filed against the Ministry of crime prevention and violence, the Israel Prison Services. It Public Security. such as preventing juvenile investigates every complaint Most the complaints delinquency, youth probation, and documents the data and against the police were molding behavior and social findings for easy retrieval for on investigations, traffic environment, strengthening relevant internal auditing. control, enforcement and the community, measuring and Throughout 2006, the police behavior. Most the mapping crime, immigrants department processed 2,037 complaints against the prison and crime, domestic violence, complaints. 78% of the service were on prisoner preventing school violence and complaints (1,542 cases) rights, warden behavior and preventing violence in sports. were filed against the Israel vacations.

8 ew Coastal Sub District NHeadquarters Inaugurated The new headquarters of the personnel. Coastal Sub District of the The new headquarters is Israel Police was inaugurated located in the eastern entrance in February, in the presence of of Haifa and is situated on a the Commissioner of the Israel major intersection granting Police; the Director General it easy access to the nearby of the Ministry of Public Krayot cities, the bay, Security,; the Commander of downtown Haifa, and the the Northern District; senior Carmel and Hadar areas, all in officers and many other guests. the shortest and most efficient The new building unites the timing. Haifa command and other police units currently spread across different locations in the city. The centralization of the various forces into one building will raise work efficiency and lower costs of rent, maintenance and ew Commissioner of Israel Police Nand New Commissioner of Israel Prison Service Appointed In April, the Israeli following the recommendation assuming office in May. Government appointed Major of the Minister of Public Major General Kaniak’s General Dudi (David) Cohen Security, Avi Dicter. previous post was Deputy Commissioner of the Israel Major General Cohen’s Commissioner of the Israel Police and Major General previous post was Commander Police and was promoted Benny Kaniak Commissioner of the Central District in the to Lieutenant General upon of the Israel Prison Service, Israel Police and was promoted assuming office. to Inspector General when THE MINISTRY

(From left) Commissioner of the Israel Prison Service, Lieutenant General Benny Kaniak; Former Commissioner of the Israel Police, Inspector General Moshe Karadi; Minister of Public Security, Avi Dicter; 9 Commissioner of the Israel Police, Inspector General Dudi Cohen; Former Commissioner of the Israel Prison Service, Lieutenant General Yaakov Ganot; Director General of the Ministry of Public Security, Rani Falk. A Bi-National Symposium on the Impact of Global Terrorism on Police and Policing

October 23rd-24th, 2007

Jerusalem, Israel Shaul Weisband Information Services Department, Ministry of Public Security by the Ministry of Public Security, were implemented within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding for a research partnership between the Bureau of the Chief Scientist (BCS) at the Ministry of Public (from left) Dr. David Hagy, Minister Dicter and Ambassador Richard Jones Security in Israel and the National Institute of Justice In an era when global terrorism “To Protect and to Serve: (NIJ) at the Department of affects every aspect of our life, Police and Policing in the Age Justice in the USA, aimed at the Ministry of Public Security of Terrorism and Beyond”, cooperation and collaboration and the National Institute of focused on the subject of the in research, development, Justice in the United States effects of global terrorism on testing and evaluation of joined forces in examining its police and policing. policies and technologies. affect specifically on police The symposium brought forces and policing methods The Symposium was attended together leading researchers by Dr. David Hagy, Acting while aiming at strengthening from Israel and United States the world’s last line of defense Principal Deputy Director of who conducted researches the National Institute of Justice against terrorism – the police over the year prior to the officers patrolling our streets. (NIJ). The National Institute symposium investigating of Justice was also represented A two day bi-national various aspects of the by Dr. Thomas Feucht, NIJ symposium took place in effects that terrorism has Deputy Director for Research Jerusalem on October 23rd, on policing strategies and and Evaluation, Dr. John 2007, jointly headed by the on society at large. The Morgan, NIJ Deputy Director Chief Scientist’s Bureau in the objective of the symposium for Science and Technology Ministry of Public Security was to report, analyze, and Ms. Lois Mock, NIJ and the National Institute of discuss and summarize Senior Social Science Analyst. Justice in the United States the research findings. The (NIJ). The symposium, titled research projects, initiated The Ministry of Public

10 A Bi-National Symposium on the Impact

Ministry of Global Terrorism on Police and Policing of Public Security

October 23rd-24th, 2007

Jerusalem, Israel Shaul Weisband Information Services Department, Ministry of Public Security Security was represented by of American police chiefs Among the topics discussed Eliezer Rosenbaum, Deputy including Ronal W. Serpas, over the two day symposium: Director General, Ministry Chief of Police, Metropolitan Trends in Modern of Public Security; Prof. Nashville Police Department; International Terrorism and Israel Barak,, Chief Scientist James Corwin, Chief of Police, Methods for coping: and Director of the Bureau Kansas City, Missouri and Jim Dr. Boaz Ganor from the Israel of the Chief Scientist at the Bueermann, Chief of Police, Center for Terrorism at the Ministry of Public Security; Redlands Police Department, Herzelia Inter-Disciplinary Idit Hakimi, (Ph.d.), Head California. Center of Social and Behavioral The researchers presented their Division, at the Bureau of the Global Terrorism, Democracy findings over the two days and Crime: Chief Scientist, Ministry of regarding various aspects of Public Security; other heads Prof. Gary La Free from the the effects terrorism has had in University of Maryland of departments in the Ministry the past, and will have in the and other Ministry officials. future, on police and policing The Impact of Terrorism on The professional panel strategies in democratic the Police: included a selected group societies. Prof. David Weisburd from the Hebrew University Police Strategies to Counter Terrorism: Professors Cynthia Lum from George Mason University, and Prof. Maki Haberfeld from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York Implications of Terrorism on the Formal and Social Organization of Policing: Jack Green from Northeastern University and Dr. Sergio THE MINISTRY Herzog, Hebrew University

During the symposium 11 Chief Scientist’s Bureau

The Bureau of the Chief Scientist is a professional scientific agency within the Ministry of Public Security, whose principal responsibility is to develop, formulate and promulgate science-driven law enforcement policy as it relates to public security and combating crime in the State of Israel.

Prof. Israel Barak, Chief Scientist, Ministry of Public Security Goals and Objectives The Impacts of Policing • To provide policy guidance in the areas of public Terrorism on Society and the security and combating crime Community: Prof. Dr. Badi Huseissi from • To generate scientific and technological the Hebrew University in information and knowledge, as well as basic Jerusalem and Prof. Geoffrey applied research and development Alpert from the University of • To disseminate up to date scientific and South Carolina in the USA technological know-how to public security Guest lectures throughout the symposium were given by the agencies Commissioner of the Israel • To offer and promote expert opinion and advice to Police, Inspector General the Minister of Public Security regarding scientific Dudi Cohen and the Deputy and technological matters Commissioner of the Israel Police, Major General Shahar • To develop and maintain scientific and professional Ayalon. ties, both nationally and internationally While speaking to the editor of Innovation Exchange, Dr. The Organizational Structure of the David Hagy, Acting Principle Deputy Director of the NIJ, Bureau spoke about the cooperation The Bureau of the Chief Scientist consists of two with Israel: “Our partnership main divisions: with Israel is very important to us. That is why NIJ made • The Social and Behavior Sciences Division a significant investment in • The Natural Sciences, Exact and Physical Sciences these research papers and to and Technology Division this valuable symposium. Naturally, most our work with In each of the above scientific disciplines the Bureau Israel is related to terrorism. initiates, promotes, co-ordinates, supervises and We recognize the high price implements research and development activities Israel has paid responding to in order to aid the Ministry of Public Security in terrorist events, and we are grateful for Israel’s willingness carrying out its operational responsibilities in Israel. 12 to share the wisdom of this from Israel to the United “We have created an excellent experience with us. We have States; your mission is critical network between the United a lot to learn from Israel; and daunting. I commend you States and Israel when fighting especially in the policing/ for your efforts and all your terror and crime. It is now time terrorism field, and this can hard and dangerous work, but to implement that same model help to inform NIJ’s research also for putting this important on a local level here in Israel. activities in the future. We’re symposium together” The question is not whether a also here to see how NIJ’s Minister Dicter spoke about democratic society can fight knowledge and experience the similarities between terrorism. It most definitely about policing in the U.S. criminals and terrorists – both can. The question is how we can be beneficial to Israel’s who ignore the danger and do so. The pit of terror has policing and research.” harm they cause to innocent a bottom, yet we don’t have The opening session of the people, while using the poor to reach it. We must reach a symposium was held in the and weak. critical mass that will have an effect on the phenomenon presence of the American “The key word in combating Ambassador to Israel, called global terror. That is our terror is ‘responsibility’” job”. H.H. Richard H. Jones said the Minister. “In regards and the Minister of Public to the battle against terror, Over the two intensive Security, Avi Dicter, who reasonability is shared days, the symposium and gave the keynote lecture by the army, the Israel its participants confronted titled :”Fighting Terrorism Security Agency (Shabak) and discussed important in a Democratic Society: and the police. Although topics on policing in an era Challenges, Opportunities and it is impossible to share of global terrorism with a Implications”. responsibility in any other hope for a stronger battle The American Ambassador field, it is done here. When it against terrorism. Among to Israel, H.H. Richard H. comes to crime, there is one other things, the end product Jones thanked the Ministry agency which bears the sole of the symposium may be and the NIJ for inviting him responsibility: the police. The the formulation of new ideas and spoke about the struggle public know this, the media and policies regarding how against global terror and the knows this. Yet when a suicide to organize and deploy the importance of the cooperation bomber reaches his target, police in the face of the threats between the two countries. whose responsibility is it? In identified. “The war against terrorism is a democratic society, we want intertwined – from the local to know who is responsible for police to the federal agencies, our safety”.

(from left) Dr. Idit Hakimi; Police Chief Ronal Serpas; Commissioner Dudi Cohen; Commander Idit Biton; and Police Chief James Corwin THE MINISTRY

13 Metzila – Northern District Metzila – Sea of Metzila – Youth Villages Non-Jewish

Haifa Galilee Segment of Population Metzila – Central District:

Metzila – Tel Aviv District METZILA Community and Crime Prevention Division

Metzila – Southern District Ministry of Public Security

Tel Aviv Eilat Mishor, Spokesperson, Community and Crime Prevention Division The topic of violence in Jerusalem general and juvenile violence in particular continues to feature on the public agenda. Metzila – Northern District In order to counter these phenomena, Metzila – the The Community and Crime Dead Prevention Division of the Sea Ministry of Public Security – operates programs to The Mediterranean Sea prevent violence among Be’er Sheva children, youth and adults. The programs are run in kindergartens, in schools and in the community at large. The division is funded by the Israeli Government and operates in approximately 76 communities and youth villages throughout Israel. Over 11,000 youth benefited from Metzila programs during 2007.

Metzila’s areas of activity

Provision of professional

14 METZILA Community and Crime Prevention Division Ministry of Public Security Eilat Mishor, Spokesperson, Community and Crime Prevention Division consultation services in immigrants from of these communities, from the field of crime and Ethiopia and the former Hatzor Haglilit in the north violence prevention in the Soviet Union, in local to Eilat in the south, the community. communities and youth Metzila coordinator promotes Operation of programs villages. the provision of tools designed to prevent Activities aimed at enabling local communities violence and introduce preventing violence in to fight violence through advisors and volunteers to sport. coordination between the the field. various organizations in the community. Metzila believes Support and empowerment that the fight against violence of school dropouts and How does Metzila can be waged at the level of at-risk and socially operate? the local community, which detached youths, through has quick access to available the operation of year-long Metzila operates through its resources and professional programs of instruction, main office headed by its skills. workshops, extreme sport, Director, Brigadier General and club activities. (ret.) Yaakov Goaz and his Local Metzila coordinators Deputy, Commander Asher operate through the community Mobilization of youths Ben Baruch. The Metzila committee that is established and parents to work for the staff includes the National by the local community prevention of violence in Coordinator for New and which is headed by the the community. Immigrants and the Director mayor or by the mayor’s Operation of parent groups of the Minorities Department; representative who has been and one-day seminars for through its regional directors appointed by the municipality. teachers. and coordinators working in After an up-to-date picture of Monitoring and guidance 62 communities; and through crime in the local community through programs designed regional councils in the has been established, the to empower immigrant Jewish and Arab segments community council convenes communities, particularly of the population. In each to discuss the problem of THE MINISTRY

15 local violence and crime and 6. Youth clubs in the local matriculating one), Kiryat to set up a work program community. Ekron (all of the extreme that can effectively deal with 7. A special youth city project sport groups will become the problem. The committee for working with at-risk integrated into the Israeli consists, inter alia, of the and normative youths. education system). representatives of municipal 8. Youth and adult patrols for Mobilization of pupils for education, social services the prevention of violence communal activities in and security departments; and vandalism. Nesher (mobilization of representatives of the relevant 9. Neighborhood watch for youths to serve as advisers local committees; the the prevention of violence during the last war) and commander of the local police Shoham (Patrol for the 10. Workshops for leadership station; school principals; the Location of Environmental development among director of the local Metzila Eyesores). branch; and representatives normative youth. Reduction of violence of the community at large. 11. Parents groups and courses, and vandalism in local The Metzila coordinator and one-day conferences and communities: In Ashdod the regional director monitor special courses for teachers. and Kiryat Yam (protection the activation of the program 12. Development of youth of the elderly), Ramat for the prevention of local leadership in the Ethiopian Hasharon (“Safe Moshava” violence and crime and community . Project), Jezre’el Valley carefully study the program’s Regional Council (pupil output. Making a change: transportation), Ariel (youth activities), Kiryat Examples of Metzila Metzila case studies Ono (Juvenile Patrol), and Dimona (Kovshei Eilat projects: Reduction in the level of neighborhood). violence and improvement Building frameworks for 1. Program for the prevention of climate in local schools: activities and for support of of violence and for the In Ashkelon (closed- socially detached youths. introduction of advisers circuit television), Kfar for prevention of violence Sava (TELEM project), Reduction in the number in schools, kindergartens Alphei Menashe (HAREL of police files on socially and pupil transportation program, 40% reduction detached youths: In networks. in the level of violence Akko (80% reduction 2. Closed-circuit television in and 60% improvement in in the number of acts schools. scholastic performance) of vandalism in 2007) and Rehovot (Summer 3. Workshops in schools on and Netanya (extreme programs 2007). the prevention of violent marine sports). dating among youths. Reduction of number of Rise in the percentage of youths joining the Israel 4. The empowerment of school dropouts: In Haifa Defense Forces: In Or school dropouts and at- (diving course for at-risk Akiva (enlistment in risk and socially detached youths), Kfar Sava (Soccer combat units – from 4% youths. School and TELEM annually to 50% annually 5. Prevention of juvenile project), Netanya (marine training for school dropouts in 2006) and Kiryat violence through Shmona (Haim Project for “covenants”. enabled their transfer from a guided classroom to a at-risk youths)

16 WorkingWorking withwith thethe Communities:Communities: MetzilaMetzila ProjectsProjects Patrol 28: Protecting the elderly At Metzila – Kiryat Yam The program A volunteer youth patrol operating on the 28th of each month and working together with adult volunteers to reduce the number of robberies committed against elderly persons on the day they receive their monthly senior citizens’ allowance from the National Insurance Institute. The members of the patrol also answer calls received by the emergency telephone number (ELDERLY CALL). Elderly persons can call this emergency line and request personal escorts to the bank or the local postal bank branch. The program started in June 2006, and today consists of 60 high school students who patrol the streets as part of their personal commitment program at school after being trained by the Community Policing Division.

The success story • According to police statistics, the number of robberies committed against elderly individuals has been reduced by 50 percent since the patrol has begun to operate. • The number of calls made by elderly persons to the emergency phone number in order to obtain an escort has increased steadily from month to month. • The members of the patrol are well respected and are strongly motivated to protect elderly citizens and to serve their community as volunteers. Participating agencies Metzila – Ministry of Public Security, Municipality of Kiryat Yam, Community Policing Division, THE MINISTRY Network of Community Centers, ASSA 17 Theater and Cinema for Empowering At-Risk Youth The program uses content of direct interest to youth. The next stage is the Over 850 youths in 22 Metzila presentation of the play or film communities and youth before an audience consisting villages take part in a theater/ of the workshop members’ cinema program including parents, teachers and friends. workshops on the prevention are actively involved in the Metzila projects Metzila of violence. The program is The success story program. According to the designed to strengthen at-risk report from the educational youth who are on the verge Metzila – Ashkelon: team, half the members have of dropping out of formal or Not one of the workshop demonstrated an improvement informal educational settings. participants dropped out of in discipline, self-image and social involvement and As they learn about theater school, they attend school 70 percent of the workshop and cinema, the members classes regularly, the number members participate in an of the workshop participate of incidents of loitering in incident-documenting team. in discussions on subjects schools dropped by 80 percent and no involvement in violent relevant to their age group. Participating At a later stage, they jointly acts by the participants has write a play or movie script been reported. agencies that carries a message of Metzila – Maaleh Adumim: Metzila – Ministry of Public preventing violence and which Some 70 percent of the youths Security and the local attend the workshop and authorities. Working with the communities: Working with the

18 METZILA - Helping Youth to Change Through Extreme Sports The program Over 4000 youths in 56 communities and youth villages take part in an annual program of extreme sports combined with the teaching of values and behavioral norms. The groups consist of at-risk youth or at-risk youth together with normative adolescents. The goal of the program is to reduce violence among at-risk youth; to prevent youths from and behavioral norms, program decided to continue becoming school drop-outs and such as self-control, with their studies and none to involve alienated youth in diligence, community decided drop out of school; a program combining studies service, and patriotism. 40 percent of the participants and work. • To empower individuals were taking part in youth The activities include while promoting self- leadership courses. weekly programs of confidence and a positive At METZILA-Or Akiva, extreme sports such as rock- self-image. since the program first climbing, rappelling, long started operating (in 2000), distance running, maritime • To turn at-risk youth into there has been a four-percent sport, horseback riding, young leaders. reduction in the number of sharpshooting and Capoeira. • To increase the number of school dropouts among the In addition, the program youths in the program who program’s participants; the includes private conversation have decided to join the number of participants who and group discussions on Israel Defense Forces. joined combat units in the topics concerning violence IDF increased from four per prevention, group activities year to 50 in 2006. and empowerment of the The success story individual. At METZILA-Kiryat Arba, 80 percent of the participants in Participating Objectives the program became involved • To teach basic skills in a in volunteer work in the agencies branch of extreme sports. community. Metzila – Ministry of Public • To encourage the At METZILA-Kiryat Ekron, Security and the local participants to adopt values all the participants in the authority THE MINISTRY

19 The Ministry’s Dog Breeding and Training Program for Security Purposes Roni Borochov Bureau of Chief Scientist Ministry of Public Security Shaul Weisband Department of Information Services Ministry of Public Security

In today’s era, when fighting crime and global terror is on the top of the public agenda, the use of trained dogs in the security and policing field both in Israel and abroad has become more and more common and efficient. The dogs are trained to detect drugs and any other contraband substances that can be used in a terrorist attack or criminal acts.

20 The Ministry’s Dog Breeding

variety of subjects such as and Training Program manufacturing, engineering, pastry cooking, dog breeding and training, graphic design, hair design and economics and for Security Purposes management. The Manof Youth Village was s the police officers were A special program founded in 1975 and consists Apacking up their gear located in a special of 180 students on campus and were about to wrap up in northern Israel. In 1999 another successful police raid place the kennel was established in in a northern city in Israel, Leo The unique program is the memory of Uriel Bar Maimon, started barking. He refused outcome of the growing a student of Manof who was to leave the scene; he found demand for trained working killed during his service in something suspicious during dogs for security purposes the Israel Defense Force, and his final search. Lo and behold, and the difficulty to find high in 2006 it was transformed Leo came up with another well quality purebred dogs fit for into a professional breeding hidden stash of drugs which the nature of this demanding and training ground with over the police officers would have work. In today’s era, when 100 canines, led by the head left behind. fighting crime and global terror trainer, Arkadi Schulman, an As Leo’s trainers/operators is on the top of the public army veteran with over 30 congratulate him for another agenda, the Chief Scientist at years of experience. well-done mission, not the Ministry of Public Security, The Manof campus is situated even they could imagine the the Israel Police and the Israel in the pastoral area of northern incredible affect Leo has had Prison Service joined forces Israel composed of green on other’s live, before he even with the Rural Education grass, modern buildings went out on his first police Administration in the Ministry and sports and educational operation. of Education and created a dog facilities. During the day the Leo is a native Israeli born breeding and training program students carry out a regular Springer Spaniel trained to around the children of the high school schedule including detect illegal narcotics and Manof Youth Village. studies and extra curricular explosives for the Israel Police. The Manof Youth Village activities. Towards the He was born, raised and grants a once in a life time afternoon, the members of the trained in the Israeli training opportunity to youth at canine study track make their program located in the heart risk who have experienced way to the pound to spend time of the Manof Youth Village academic, social and family with their four-legged friends. in northern Israel, designed shortcomings and haven’t During the day the dogs spend to breed and train dogs for succeeded in past educational their time with the professional security purposes, while frameworks. Manof opens new trainers training for drug and involving youth at risk. doors for these youngsters, explosive detection, patrol allowing them to blossom and methods and other police

realize their potential in a wide work. They are cared for and THE MINISTRY

21 played with by the students “My dog doesn’t only work continue my dog training of Manof. During the day with me, he cares for me. studies overseas”. the youngsters feed the dogs, We have a very special The State of Israel and its take them out for walks and connection” says a police dog people benefit two-fold from play time, accustom them to operator, “he knows exactly this unique program. The public areas and assist in their what needs to be done out in streets of Israel are a safer training. the field”. place to live as the Israel Throughout the program, the The Israel Police was not the Police officers work hand in students learn to care for the only one to benefit from the paw with their new Israeli dogs and train them, learn program. The dogs will never trained partners in combating about communicating with know the incredible effect they crime. In addition, Israel’s them and understanding their had on the lives of youngsters society is reinforced with a ‘language’ and senses - all in the Manof Youth Village. fresh group of youngsters while learning the fundamental Many of the canine training which otherwise would have values of patience, tolerance members have graduated high little options for getting their and mutual understanding. school and were drafted to the lives back on track. The The program creates a bond Israeli army. Eight members dogs of Manof granted them between the teenagers and the were accepted to the IDF the second chance they so dogs which causes a positive canine units and one student desperately needed. change in their self confidence, is a dog trainer in the Israel As they go their separate ways, interpersonal relations and Prison Service. the dogs serving the Israel everyday life – allowing them Before entering the program, Police and the State of Israel, to deal with decision making, many of the students would and the student finishing their problem solving and conflict have never even believed army service and continuing management. they would graduate high with their lives, the two share school. “I owe it all to the a very special bond. The A win-win situation: dogs and to Manof” said Ministry of Public Security the Manof success one of the students who has and the Manof Youth Village always been shadowed by gave them both an opportunity story his criminal background and to make a difference. Joy, a German Sheppard, couldn’t fit into any other graduated the Manof training educational framework. program as a drug sniffing dog “When I arrived here I and joined the Israel Police realized I had a chance immediately afterwards. Joy to start from scratch. was assigned to the southern I started studying district, and after going through and learning about police operational training, other approaches she starting participating in other than violence. field operations. In a police Working with the raid in November this year Joy dogs has taught me continued to search the scene about patience, care even as the police officers were and discipline. packing up to go. Right before I hope to leaving, Joy located a package buried in the ground under an animal carcass containing 11 kilo of heroin. 22 Ministry of Public Security “ City without Violence” Orly Innes-Kenig, Ph.d The “City without Violence” in 10 additional cities, while program is a national program the program in Eilat will be The Goal of the which offers an innovative used as an exemplified and Program working model for coping teaching program to the new At a municipal level, the goal with violence on the urban communities. is to systematically deal with – systemic level. The model “City without Violence” the various forms of violence, has been initiated, developed is a complex program that identifying common elements and applied in Eilat /Israel, incorporates dozens of and creating solutions to the starting early 2004. A national activities and projects. It different phenomenas in the steering committee with the operates on the basis of broad municipal context. participation of government’s core and shared principles The program will assist all offices and major capital funds that include, among others, sectors in the city to have a supported the program since it partnership, integration and new, common language and started. interfacing, unified language, narrative about violence and The first year of operation was clear rules, personal example, the way to cope with it. devoted to studying, mapping, taking responsibility, effective planning and crystallizing the response, developing an Objectives model, and as of 2005, dozens alternative to violence, and • Gradual reduction of violent of activities and projects were emphasizing prevention and incidents of various kinds in developed and implemented treatment in the wide context the city. within the program. of violence. The essence of the • Creation of the municipal The program has developed a program is the strategy that infrastructure to treat and methodology, a theoretical was crystallized for the activity prevent the problems of model and set of tools for of different organizations that violence. coping with all kinds of deal with this subject in the • Development of a model for violence for any city or town city. cities to handle violence in that will choose to operate it. its various forms. In September 2006, due to The Vision the success of the program in The creation of a city The Method reducing the scope of violence atmosphere that will Application of the model – by 40% - 60% in difference promote the values of mutual proven methods and tools – by violent areas, a decision respect, tolerance, dialogue, defining a multi-year roadmap was made by the Ministerial negotiation, and respect for and plan addressing the Committee against Violence human rights and dignity while local problems and potential headed by the Minister of condemning breaking of the approaches involving local Public Security, Avi Dicter, to law, disrespect of human rights staff from various disciplines apply and assimilate the “City and the illegitimate use of and sectors incorporated with without Violence” program force of any kind. external expertise related to the THE MINISTRY

Eilat Netany Rahat Ramla Upper Nazareth Akko model city 23 for the program program’s methods and tools. creating change while of guiding As part of the program distinguishing those issues principles for action, core framework, the city violence directly linked to violence programs, programs based will be mapped out, the from those that have an on municipal mapping and risk factors and potential indirect effect on the programs based upon the local means will be identified. violence. attitudes and preferences. The program’s approach is • The program presents • Actions and projects applied multidisciplinary including activities to be conducted in as part of the program will different elements that can each seperate area of activity be determined as a result of contribute to the reduction in order to create the change ‏‎diagnosis‎‏ process and detailed of the problem, such as needed in each and every study of unique characteristics educational, law enforcement, field. and needs of each municipal welfare etc. • The program emphasizes within the scope of the activity the creation of municipal areas and infrastructures as Program infrastructure which should already mentioned. prevent the development of • Creation of organizational characteristics and violent situations and will cooperation which follows a innovation enable to cope with them holistic, horizontally balanced The “City without Violence” effectively. and integrated view on different program is innovative in • The program has crystallized solutions as key differentiator several senses: a strategy for each domain vs. the traditional vertical • The program is designed (enforcement, education, organizational focus. to develop a method and welfare etc.) which consists a set of tools for future application in any interested community. Zero-violence cities • The program deals with all violent behavior situations in The “City without Violence” Program is an the community. innovative operational model aimed at dealing • The program is based on with all the various kinds of local violence at the the fundamental assumption urban-systemic level. that violence exists as part The model, which was developed in the city of Eilat, of a city-wide and societal has proved to be remarkably successful. In light context and tries to create of this success, the Ministerial Committee against changes in this wide context, Violence decided in September 2006 to launch the not only in the issues “City wihtout Violence” Program as a country-wide directly related to violence. program for a systemic war against violence at the • The program tries to level of the local authority. understand the common elements of the various types The “City without Violence” program has been of violence in terms of risk implemented nation-wide since 2007 and today factors and solutions. includes twelve cities • The program proposes It is anticipated that the program will eventually a model for learning the be extended to additional cities interested in being unique characteristics of included. the city that represent risk “The goal and the objective,” says Public Security factors for violence. Minister, Avi Dicter, “is a zero-violence country.” • The program defines areas of activity or caution in

24 Tiberias Maaleh Adumim Lod Hadera Bat-Yam Ashkelon THE MINISTRY www.police.gov.il 25 Israel Police Counter Terrorism Unit (Yamam) Quality Personnel as the Secret of Success The challenge of recruiting outstanding operators Major Hani C.

The Yamam is the Israel National Police Counter Terrorism Unit. Established in 1974, the Yamam has a world renowned reputation as a leading counter terrorism unit and has spearheaded the battle against terrorism in Israel over the past three decades.

Recruitment to the unit remains one of the most significant and sensitive steps in the process of identifying the future operators who are willing to risk their lives in the battle against terrorism and in protecting the lives of Israeli citizens. The unit places great emphasis on obtaining the highest quality personnel and then providing them with the appropriate training and skills.

The Yamam opens a training course once a year and requires basic attributes such as professionalism, determination, courage, leadership, fighting spirit and modesty. These characteristics, along with command experience in the military, are crucial elements for building an effective force for the wide variety of missions the unit conducts each year.

The unit receives hundreds of resumes every year from prospective candidates that seem to fit the bill, yet only a careful and reliable screening process exposes the best of the best. Such a case occurred recently. “D” was an officer in an elite unit in the IDF. He sent his resume to the Yamam which presented an impressive record of professionalism, leadership and persistence, all of

26 Israel Police Counter Terrorism Unit (Yamam) Quality Personnel as the Secret of Success The challenge of recruiting outstanding operators Major Hani C. which made him a legitimate In March 2000, Israeli intelligence candidate to join the unit. located a number of terrorists During his interviews with the senior command of the who entered Israel from the Gaza unit, a number of aspects were Strip and hid in a house in Taibeh. uncovered which cast some doubt on his compatibility with The terrorists were in possession the unit. Sure enough, those of a number of large suitcase doubts were proven correct bombs and were on their way to during his field tests later in the selection process. carry out a simultaneous terrorist attack in five Israeli cities. Friedrich Nietzsche once said: “He who has a why to live Yamam operators surrounded the can bear almost any how”. building when suddenly one of the A Yamam operator is well aware of the reasons he was terrorist exited the building and recruited to the unit and the blew himself up by the forces. The goals of the operations he conducts. To attain these goals teams stormed the house killing he will be required to make all four of the terrorists. instant independent operational One Yamam operator was injured decisions in the field. He is fully cognizant of the critical in his leg during the incident and importance of maneuvering after a long rehabilitation, was forces into a position where the enemy will be incapable of fitted with a prosthetic leg and continuing the fight. r e t u r n e d

Another aspect looked for to continue in the prospective Yamam his service operator is a psychological element. Over half of the in the unit. Yamam members were officers in the Israeli Army. Such an operator, who was accustomed to commanding others and POLICING

27 leading them into battle, now serious crime, along with displays has made a major has to make a complete mental maintaining preparedness contribution to the security of change by removing his officer for hostage rescue, require the State of Israel and the safety rank and accepting the unique unusually high standards of of its citizens. combat techniques of the operational capabilities which Yamam. the average person would not be able to sustain. The Yamam operator’s maturity and judgment, along Recruiting appropriate with his years of service to personnel to protect the State his country, are significant of Israel and its citizens is a contributions to the unit and primary challenge for the unit. its abilities in the unique Only about one percent of world of counter terrorism. the initial candidates actually His experience teaches him to begin the grueling training retain situational awareness course, and not all of them will and beware of complacency graduate and become Yamam and mental laziness. operators. The long and meticulous screening process The every day operations of and training pays off: the the unit against high priority life-risking determination that terrorist targets, “ticking every single one of the Yamam bomb” suicide terrorists and operators and commanders

28 The Israel Police National Training Center is Gaining Momentum Training Center Tender Committee Ministry of Public Security The decision of the Minister of Public The Ministry of Public Security, Avi Dicter to implement the Security and the Israel Police program for the creation of the Israel attach great importance to the Police National Training Center in basic and ongoing training and the professional development accordance with a defined timetable of police officers from the means that this program is now beginning moment they are recruited to gain momentum. The unique project and throughout their career. will combine the 19 police training Training plays a major role schools, currently dispersed throughout in the preparation of police officers for the effective Israel, into a single training center that performance of their duties as will be built in the area of Beit Shemesh. well as in the development of For this purpose, a public tender will be their professional skills and issued, with the successful bidder being in the provision of extensive responsible – in the context of a PFI knowledge in a wide range of subjects. The central goal of (Private Financial Initiative) arrangement the training process for Israel’s – for the center’s establishment and police officers is to enhance operation as well as for the supply of some their professional capabilities of the training services for Israel Police so that they can effectively officers. Responsibility for the program’s deal with current and future challenges. implementation has been placed in the hands of an interministerial committee Today, the Israel Police consisting of representatives from the training system comprises Public Security Ministry, Israel Police 19 police officer schools, and Finance Ministry and headed by the including four national schools, six district schools

Finance Ministry’s Deputy Accountant- and nine professional schools POLICING General, Avi Dor. dispersed throughout the 29 country. The geographical the training the Israel Police specific year. Currently, an distribution of the training provides its police officers and interministerial public tenders schools stemmed primarily will save resources, which, in committee is working on the from various constraints turn, will enable the center to definition of both the tender that arose over the years. As continually improve the level and the contents of the training a result, the Israel Police of the training it delivers and courses. It will soon begin training network is scattered thereby constantly improve the collaborating with a financial over a wide geographical level of performance of Israeli team that will define pricing region, with the training police officers. The National units and will construct the facilities often housed in old Training Center will be required financial model. buildings that are unsuitable science-based, offering a wide for the current training needs range of advanced training The new center will have of the Israel Police. modalities, and will therefore modern, spacious classrooms; be capable of providing an residential quarters; an The program for the creation effective response to the auditorium; training facilities; of a national training center different training needs of the a gym and sports facilities; a will enable the Israel Police Israel Police. number of target ranges; a unit to upgrade its entire training for animals employed by the system and to introduce not The center will be established Israel Police; a stadium; and only overall organizational in accordance with the parking facilities. changes but also improvements principles of a PFI (Private in the training process. The Financial Initiative) Many academic bodies have National Training Center arrangement. In other words, already begun to express will have state-of-the-art the successful bidder will be interest in participating in technological aids that will chosen by public tender and this innovative project, and enable a more efficient use of will have to meet various the interministerial public resources and means and will criteria and demonstrate tender committee intends make a wide range of advanced capability in a variety of to give proper weight to technological tools readily essential areas, namely, the entrepreneur’s capacity accessible to all participants in training, construction, for providing academic Israel Police training courses at maintenance, finance and accreditation for the police all levels. training management. The courses to be offered at the successful bidder will establish National Training Center, so The National Training the center, operate it and see to that, in the course of their Center will be situated in the its ongoing maintenance, and professional career, police industrial zone of the city of will administer the training officers can complete their Beit Shemesh, which is located system in accordance with requirements for an academic about a half-hour’s drive the framework that will be degree. The establishment of from Jerusalem. The center’s decided upon. Under the PFI such an advanced national location will make it easily arrangement, the bidder will training center, with academic accessible by main traffic be responsible for providing accreditation and with modern arteries, such as Highway the funding needed for the facilities, will create better 1 (the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem creation of the center and will police officers who will meet Highway) and Highway 6 (the be reimbursed for this funding higher professional standards; Trans-Israel Highway). Most in installments distributed over who will be more skilled and of the training facilities of the the period of the franchise. more expert in their work; Israel Police will be housed Thus, the Israel Police will and who will have enhanced in the new center and that fact make an annual payment for professional capabilities. will enhance the quality of the training needs of each 30 The Young Detectives Club: The Israel Police and Israel's Excelling Students Work Together Shaul Weisband, Department of Information Services Ministry of Public Security In accordance with its efforts The club focuses on subjects in preventing crime and such as encryption, forensic violence, the Israel Police science, electronic data joined forces with the Society protection and motion (physics of Excellence through of collision) while working Education (SEE) and created alongside the Israel police on the Young Detectives Club, real-life cases. The teachers are as part of the Excellence 2000 trained science teachers from program in the society. the Excellence 2000 program who participate in workshops developed by SEE and the Israel Police. POLICING

31 The beginning of a ongoing investigations in the right into the life a police strong partnership police. investigator. They try to 5. To amplify the awareness solve the case by defining the The unique relationship started and connection between crime scene, examining their three years ago when the excellence in education to investigation approaches and Community and Civil Guard values, good citizenship and with the use of technology Department in the Israel community service. such as finger and foot print Police and the Society of identification and photography. Excellence through Education Cooperating The simulated crime scene is partnered in strengthening towards a stronger the opening activity leading the relationship between the Israel the students into more community and the police by intensive studies during which involving excelling students After many efforts by the joint they will learn about classic in the everyday police work. steering committee, it was time police methods and will be The goals of the program were to get to work. It was decided exposed to real crime scenarios set in the memorandum signed to involve the students with the that were solved using those between SEE and the police: technological aspect of police methods. The studies focus 1. To challenge the excelling forensic science. Professionals on the scientific thinking and students and to raise their from SEE met with crime scientific research aspects in awareness to the scientific scene investigators in the forensic science. Although the and research activities in the Israel Police headquarters students don’t research violent Israel Police. and developed a unique study crimes during the program, program focusing on the 2. To expose the scientific and one of the examples for a case science of finger and foot technological police work study was the assassination prints. The program teachers to all excelling students in 2001 of Rehavam Ze’evi, went through special training from all sectors of the Israeli Israel’s Tourism Minister, with the forensic investigators society. due to its national importance and heard fascinating lectures 3. To strengthen the and the use of fingerprint on finger and foot prints technology to solve the case. relationship between the analysis, identification of Throughout the year, the police and the community by organic substances and students hear lectures drawing leading students to computerized polygraphs. police work. from specialists on arson, Forensic scientists were 4. To promote the aspiration detective work and polygraph involved in the development technology. towards excellence in of the club curriculum and youth by involving them in designed a crime scene Young detectives in simulating a real case they investigated. The real-life the service of the scene is restored on school police grounds, throwing the students It isn’t a one-way cooperation; the students proved to be helpful and resourceful to the Israel Police. During their forensic studies, the students did a 3 month study on the wear of shoe prints, using their own shoes. They imprinted

32 he Society of Excellence through Education the soles of their shoes and Twas founded in 1987 with the goal to followed the imprints over the foster the concept of leadership, excellence months. The findings of their and social responsibility throughout the research were forwarded to the entire educational community. These forensic lab in the Israel Police educational principles are the foundation of National Headquarters where the Excellence 2000 Program (E2K), a unique the police forensic officer program dealing with highly motivated and who specializes in footprints excelling students in the school system. The used the imprints for his own E2K program inspires its students to play an research and updated his exemplary leadership role in their schools imprint bank. and communities by striving to reach higher A group of girls from the Israel goals in their education, with the goal of Arts and Science Academy in infusing excellence as a school-wide and Jerusalem took the cooperation community-wide culture. one step further. As part of a Approximately 10,000 students in over 230 science project, the students developed, along with police schools across Israel explore and discover scientists, a new technology the wonders of science and mathematical which significantly enhances thinking every week while using the most the detection of fingerprints at advance technologies. The excelling schools a crime scene. Their extensive partaking in the E2K program are invited studies in science and math to join the exclusive science clubs such as allowed them to experiment the Young Detectives Club and the Ilan and develop an enhancing Ramon Space Team Program. The Young substance which sharpens Detectives Club commenced as a pilot the visibility of fingerprints. program in 8 different schools and includes Although in its early 120 members. experimental stages which require further research, the new substance is an expression of creative thinking which can POLICING

33 only contribute to the work of the Israel Police. will be brought to life by a police and accompany them The battle against road professional demonstration of in patrols, law enforcement accidents is a global issue vehicle control on special skid and traffic control. As part which concerns many grounds. of this strategy, SEE and the countries world wide, The program is also designed Department of Community including Israel. The Young to assist the students in Policing in the Israel Police Detectives Club plays its their future driving lessons, joined forces in order to part in the global effort while imbedding values of safe and involve these excelling focusing on the physics of careful driving. students with many other motion as part of its studies. sectors of Israeli society on The study program, to be Like any other good police officer, the young detectives which they can have a positive implemented in the near future, effect. will be based on a real road break out of their usual They may be young and they accident, starting at the scene surroundings and are involved may be a few steps behind of the accident. The students with the community and the Israel Police detectives, will study the investigation of community service. The but the Young Detectives the human factor in accidents community service program Club members are in the which includes calculating allows the students to convey right direction towards using response times, using a driving the material and values they the Israel Police’s work and simulator, and the affects of learn in the club to others, knowledge for promoting alcohol and social pressure on while creating a special bond excellence and commitment the neurological system. with their community. The club members volunteer with the among their fellow students The students will design and communities. road curves, examine crash angles and spinning of vehicles, measure fields of vision and blind spots, and study traffic control. They will also study the basic design of vehicles, energy transformation in motion, momentum, air pressure in tires, effective breaking and center of gravity. Their studies 34 Instruction or Learning? And the Key Between them Chief Superintendant Amihai Hever

For years, I have lived by the Development and Instructional and, in the final analysis, does motto, “In every problem, look Team (DIT) of Instructional it bring about results, an end- for the opportunity it offers.” Base 1, the IDF’s officers product, the attainment of the This motto is not only an school. During my stint there, ultimate goal – learning? emotional incentive; it is also a I discovered that sometimes And, if we are attaining that trigger for action. even the best instructors ultimate goal of learning, are we Two years ago, I was confuse the terms instruction doing so in the required amount, diagnosed with cancer. That and learning and, moreover, with the required quality and at problem provided me with an that this confusion can have the required speed? opportunity: While fighting an impact on our actions and Most of us understand the the illness, I could invest my behavior. difference between instruction time in writing this dictionary. From my close familiarity with and learning; however, I often say that between my IDF training camps, the Israel sometimes we speak of chemotherapy sessions, the Police, professional literature learning when we are really writing of this dictionary and from my participation in referring to instruction. was another form of therapy. instructional conferences, I This is not just a matter of For the first time in my life, came to the conclusion that semantics. In fact, I would call I was able to enjoy diverting this confusion is not specific it applied semantics because it my energy and knowledge I to any particular base or has an impact on our actions. unit or even any particular had accumulated towards the The title of the dictionary, organization but that it is, in management of instructional A Key to Instruction, was fact, a common error. activities and the development chosen because, for many of an instructional mechanism. Is our investment in the people, instruction is a The idea began when I was process, input, method and “closed book,” a code that in the Israel Defense Forces, technique of instruction they have not been able to serving as commander of the correct, justified, effective decipher. Although this area of POLICING

35 The gaps that the terminological dictionary will help reduce 1. There is no common language used by instructors when talking with colleagues or with commanders. 2. The Israel Police has an inadequate number of professionals in the field of the development of instruction; the professionals it does have cannot meet the organization’s needs. Ch. Supt. Hever receiving the Minister’s prize from Minister Dicter 3. Instruction is not recognized knowledge has expanded and and as a profession. We are as a profession nor has the become more sophisticated working toward consolidating field become an academic and although it is now and professionalizing the discipline. more professional and more instructional network and 4. There is not enough commonly encountered, it is toward promoting the concept professional reading still a closed book for many, of the “commander as trainer material; nor is there any where most of its subjects and educator.” standardization in the field are shrouded in mystery and In the past few years, the Israel among professionals in Israel; where innovation overshadows Police is displaying greater furthermore, differences and familiar territory. awareness of the importance contradictions can even be This dictionary is intended of compiling theories and found between terms and to serve as a key to is initiating a process of processes. understanding, and deciphering putting them down in writing. 5. Generally, those engaged the code of instruction. Instructional theory is one of in the various areas Realizing that instruction the most all-encompassing of instruction are not and learning are words that theories needed by the sufficiently professional represent the two opposite Israel Police. It is one of the in the field of instruction, conceptual poles of our foundation-stones of any and there is a need for the profession, all the other words professional body or network. preparation of materials in the dictionary, in my view, The basic components of that can help enhance the serve as a key between them. this theory are the terms and professional caliber of those concepts that create a common, The Israel Police invests engaged in instructional uniform language and the use considerably in the area of activities. of clear, standard definitions instruction for the purpose of 6. The problems in the field of and terms that will not only improving the professional instruction are relevant for reinforce the language used caliber of its police officers. all organizations, especially by professionals in the field In addition, we are working those concerned with public but will also help us to train toward improving the status of and national security. the future generation of instruction in the organization instructors.

36 Goals and advancement of the is high and the dictionary academic character of can be accessed either 1. Creation of a common instruction. through the Israel Police language for all professional computerized network or instructors that they can use 7. Placing the Israel Police at through the civilian Internet. among themselves and in the forefront of the field of contacts with commanders instruction. and administrators. The dictionary’s 2. Creation of a strong base for The essence of the contribution and the compilation of a theory dictionary of instruction in particular innovativeness and theories in general. 1. Compilation of a 400-term 1. This dictionary is the first of dictionary with sharp, clear 3. Broadening of the world its kind in Israel. definitions that will prevent of concepts and an 2. It settles many professional contradictions between intensification of knowledge arguments and establishes terms, draw attention to the in the field of instruction, clear boundary-lines, for connection between them together with the provision instance: and emphasize differences of opportunities for self- and boundaries. The terms a) The difference between: instruction, not only for are in a variety of areas in instructor, mentor, instructors and educators fields such as instruction, personal trainer, controller, but also for commanders learning, education, the teacher, adviser. and administrators in development of instruction, b) The difference between: our organization and in instructional techniques, and learning, instruction, other organizations at the instructional environment. guidance, teaching, headquarters level and in tutoring. the field. (In recent tests to 2. The dictionary is also c) The difference between an determine knowledge levels, designed as a computerized exercise and a drill. the staff members of the instructional kit that can department of instruction enable learning through 3. The design of the and education and additional the division of the field instructional kit is original staff members in the into major subjects, and innovative and makes instructional network were rapid transitions between the kit easy to use; for even examined on some of terms, and comparisons of instance, users can request the topics appearing in the terms to determine both comparisons. dictionary.) the differences between 4. The manner of its them and their respective 4. Creation of a basis for the construction for the Internet contexts. It is thus possible development of one-day and Intranet enables a high to browse through the conferences, seminars level of availability for all kit, to learn new terms, to and other courses in the users and permits all those discover explanations and field of instruction and the involved in the instructional interpretations of terms, development of instruction. field to be exposed to and to even compare terms. the professionalism of 5. Creation of a basis for These options will make it instruction in the Israel the training of the future easier for users to search Police. The dictionary generation of professionals for, and locate, terms and to is suitable for use by all in the field. learn material on their own. branches of the Ministry of 6. Promotion of the 3. The level of the dictionary’s Public Security and Ministry recognition of instruction availability and accessibility of the Defense and also by

as a professional field POLICING 37 civilian agencies. is like an undecipherable of this knowledge and we 5. The pioneering character of code. The basis for the would be happy to share the field, the transparency field’s professionalism is the it with professionals in of the information and existence of a written body of the organization as well as the professionalism theory whose key is a standard those who are not part of the all contribute to an terminological dictionary. organization. enhancement of the This dictionary is intended for This dictionary is an important organization’s image. use as a key for understanding component in the development 6. The dictionary can be found and deciphering the code of of instruction as a profession on the Israel Police website. instruction. The dictionary is and in the dissemination of I invite you to visit the site being distributed for internal knowledge in the field of and to see how professional organizational validation on instruction to all members of and user-friendly it is. the Intranet. the Israel Police and to the For many of us, instruction We support the transparency general public. In memoriam: Amihai Hever The Minister ofPublic Security’s Research Award for 2006 was granted last year to Chief Superintendent Amihai Hever, head of the Training Development Department of the Israel Police, for developing The Training Dictionary, which contains all the various police terms together with full explanations and which is intended to serve as a tool in the service of both the Israel Police and other agencies. Ch. Supt. Hever based the dictionary on much of the professional literature written in this field and on the information and knowledge he accumulated from his own personal experience and from the wide range of roles he played in the Israel Police and the IDF. When asked, Ch. Supt. Hever immediately agreed to publish this article on the dictionary and on its importance. Unfortunately, Amihai did not live to see this article published, due to his having passed away after a courageous battle with his illness. May his memory be eternally blessed.

38 ISRAEL POLICE LAUNCHES NATIONAL DNA DATABANK

Superintendent Hanita Grant Division of Identification and Forensic Science Israel Police A National DNA Databank was DNA Databank Laboratory at Recently, when Deputy launched at the Israel Police the Division of Identification Commissioner Shachar Headquarters in February 2007 and Forensic Science, explains Ayalon’s car was broken in a major impetus to combat that “samples from suspects into, a spot of blood found at crime. Profiles of over 14,000 are collected by investigators the scene matched that of an suspects have so far been and crime scene technicians offender’s profile, newly added entered and plans are in place at the police station using to the database. to collect DNA samples from specially designed kits. The As well as the Criminal Index, several thousand convicted majority of these samples are the DNA Database contains prisoners. The establishment in the form of buccal swabs, a record of over 4,000 crime of the Police DNA Database as opposed to hair and blood scene profiles, most of which was made possible by the sampling. Inner cheek cells were painstakingly uncovered Israeli Knesset (Parliament) are removed using a specific by forensic experts in the passing the Databank Law foam swab which is then, in neighbouring Forensic Biology in September 2005 with the turn, smeared onto a Whatman Laboratory or at the country’s Databank Regulations coming FTA card”. To verify donor National Pathology Institute in into effect as of 1.2.2007. identification, inked index Tel Aviv. fingerprints are also deposited Chief Superintendent Ashira These DNA samples are Zamir, who is Head of the at the base of each card. often minute and some are POLICING 39 invisible to the naked eye. obtained with an offender CODIS will not only enable This, as yet unidentified DNA profile a year and a half better co-operation between profile, originating from after the attack, when he countries, it also promises saliva, bloodstains, semen and provided a DNA sample for to be easier to operate and other biological material was an unrelated incident. includes more applications extracted from exhibits relating • When a young woman than the present internal to murder, rape, indecent was recently raped, three operating system. assault, armed robbery and potential suspects were In the summer of 2006, other violent incidences, as interrogated for the offence. during the Second Lebanon well as from volume crime None of them matched War, while Ashira’s unit was cases such as house break-ins the DNA profile obtained in the midst of carrying out and car thefts. from an examination of validation tests for the new Comparisons are regularly the victim. A search of the database, they also became made between the criminal database revealed the real part of a concerted group of databank and these scenes of identity of the rapist. forensic DNA and fingerprint crime profiles. To date, a total • In a domestic burglary an experts who assisted the IDF of 125 matches have been intruder was surprised by in identifying soldiers killed in found using this crime-busting the property owner who battle. was himself a self- defence technology. As the databank Currently the Israel Police grows, so too will the police’s expert. The thief managed to escape, but not before being is involved in discussions ability in crime prevention with Interpol regarding an and detection and, just as wounded by the owner. In a nearby lane a blood stained international exchange of DNA important, in exonerating the information between Interpol’s innocent. sock, which had been used as a glove, was retrieved member states. for examination. Blood As for future developments, from both the sock and the further public debate and Case Reports owner’s shirt matched a legislation is necessary in • Almost two years ago an suspect who had a record of Israel before the databank elderly married couple 10 previous burglaries. can include both a Missing was brutally attacked and Person’s Index and a Relative’s Cief Superintendent Zamir robbed in their own home Index. This will allow has a staff of five scientific by several intruders wearing unidentified DNA samples personnel, including a soldier balaclavas. The victims were isolated from human remains, from the Army Medical tied up with rope which was such as bones and teeth, to Corps fulfilling his national later examined by an expert be compared with a database service. The lab uses SGM in the Forensic Biology compiled solely of genetic Plus kits supplied by Applied Lab. She applied a novel markers obtained voluntarily Biosystems to determine method, developed by the from the relatives of those the 10 STR loci and one Forensic Biology Lab, for missing persons. lifting cellular material from amelogenin gender marker. In For further information, Chief garments. After numerous December 2007 the database Superintendent Ashira Zamir samplings of the rope the was upgraded with CODIS, may be contacted at: expert managed to isolate a the FBI’s Combined DNA profile which did not belong Index System, which is DNA Databank Laboratory currently in use in 28 countries to any of the victims. This DIFS, Israel Police profile was entered into the and throughout the USA, in database and a match was federal, state and local crime [email protected] laboratories. 40 architecture, andmanagement development infrastructures, – whichisresponsibleforBI, in-house developmentgroup resources. Ourunitincludesan such aslogisticsandhuman network ofpoliceresources, computerization oftheentire we arealsoinvolvedinthe operations, etc.-andofcourse intelligence, investigations, the IsraelPoliceengages– the variousactivitiesinwhich The unitisinvolvedinallof of shekels. value ofhundredsmillions which hasanoverallcash carries outdevelopmentwork staff of230professionals, resources. The unit,witha to themanagementofpolice obtaining operationaltargets operations fromsupportin technical supportforallpolice Israel Policewhichprovides technological armofthe Israel Police Department inthe Project Management The Applications and Deputy Head,Technologies Administration, Israel Police Commander ShayKuperma Management Department and Project Applications isthecentral support. including, ofcourse,computer of supportintheseareas; are dedicatedtotheprovision of theIsraelPolice’s resources accidents, violence,etc.Most of combatingcrime,traffic its objectivesareinthearea is notacommercialbodyand development, theIsraelPolice With regardtooperational range oftopics. Police isinvolvedinawide which meansthattheIsrael is conductedunderoneroof, etc. –inIsrael,everything Customs Enforcement(ICE), (DEA), Immigrationand Enforcement Administration Investigation (FBI),Drug – theFederalBureauof own separatepoliceagency every definedareahasits the UnitedStates,where contrast topoliceworkin advanced policeforce.In a modern,technologically Israel Policeisknownas Throughout theworld, personnel, whennecessary. which makesuseofexternal of itsactivitiesin-houseand developer thatcarriesoutmost In effect, weareasoftware of theQA andCMnetworks.

n by anyspecificprocess or breadth withoutbeinglimited free totravelitslength and is thatthesystem’s usersare system’s associativecharacter The majoradvantageinthe process. development istheresultofa information systemswhose is thusdifferent fromstandard an associativeperspectiveand designed anddevelopedfrom The systemwascharacterized, and violence. Israel Police’s waroncrime is acentralcomponentinthe Melekhet Makhshevetsystem data linkmanagement.Our warnings, interrogationand and formatting,issuanceof collection, dissemination capabilities forinformation everything imaginable,with units. Ithasjustabout intelligence andinvestigations especially developedforthe intelligence systemthatwas been invested. This isan total of300personyearshave of Art) system,inwhicha Makhshevet (literally, Work network withourMelekhet assist thepoliceintelligence covert investigations,we In thefieldofovertand 41 POLICING sequence. Thus, our system system can be interrogated enforcement can reduce traffic meets an important need in the from the standpoint of business accidents by up to 25 percent. intelligence field, everything intelligence with regard to The public tender for this should be open and everything concentrations of crime and project will be publicized in should be possible. the study of threats from the the next few months, while Another system, Maarekhet perspective of the individual the actual implementation will Pele (literally, Wonder – that is, the criminal as the take a year from the moment System), in which a total focus of attention. the successful bidder is of 300 person years were Additional system projects announced. invested, supports the entire that the department is involved police system of interrogation in include the state-of-the-art Landscape picture management. This includes photo album project, in which system (GIS) the documentation of the photographs are computerized massive amount of information at a level that permits the This system permits users a that accumulates from the organization of police geographical view; a view crime scene through the lineups. The photograph’s which includes multiple summoning of witnesses, characteristics can be taken tactical aspects, such as full documentation of all from the victim, registered as deployment of patrol vehicles, testimony, the end of the cross-section characteristics location of incidents, investigation and the transfer and used for a lineup – in management of layers of data, of the file to the state accordance with the law – etc. With this system, users can prosecution. In addition, the which protects both the victim see all events happening in a system supplies web services and the suspect. The system given location in real time and to and receives web services has very impressive retrieval are provided with data on the from other operational capabilities. events, which is in addition systems. to the location of patrol vehicles, police helicopters and In the area of prosecution of The A3 Project naval craft and movement of crimes, we have a prosecution Jointly operated by the Israel suspicious individuals, etc. system that provides support Police, the Ministry of Public during the process (following Security and the Ministry of the investigation), from Transportation, this project The road map for the stage of preparing the offers automatic photography indictment sheet to the handing the coming years of traffic offenses. The down of the verdict, which In the course of my 25 years automatic photograph is is documented in our verdict of working in the field, I have transferred to a control center, system. perceived transitions between where it is deciphered. When several eras. We began in At the next level there are there is evidence of an offense, infrastructural systems, the information era, where a report is produced and sent the emphasis was on the which focus on the individual to the citizen involved within concerning whom various computerized collection of raw 72 hours. This is a revolution data. Afterwards, we moved data is being collected: in the field of traffic law demographic information, on to the knowledge era, enforcement that will reduce when we tried to extract, from criminal record (if one exists), traffic accidents in those and biometric data on the the broad scope of raw data, locations where automatic knowledge that would add criminal population, which enforcement operates. As includes DNA components, value and provide us with new experience in various parts of data. Today we find ourselves fingerprints and photographs. the world shows, automatic Among other things, the in the intelligence era, where 42 we are absorbing computerized cut picture: Decisions 5. Tools for the war on crime interrogation mechanisms can be made on the basis and violence and algorithms that can help of uniform data with all Among the topics included us raise the knowledge we players presenting their own under this rubric are: (1) the need above the available data. particular data. need to bring technology I hope that I will be able to to the crime scene and 3. The technological police bring the Israel Police to the to collect evidence for officer next era – the era of wisdom, further investigation in when smart infrastructures will Since most of the operational real time in order to create help us in a practical manner network of police officers strategic deterrence (2) the to improve the performance of works in the field, there identification and use of the various units in the field. is a need for bringing the the links or correlations data to the place where the between data components 1. The geographical platform individual police officer and crime (3) the activation The objective we have is working in each of the of an associative search defined for ourselves is to various sectors for which the engine, Data Mining, for the change the pattern of data police is responsible. modeling and identification management from textual We find ourselves today of crime profiles. As a to visual. The basis of the in the final stages of the result, the identification idea is to present data on development of a cellular of criminals will be faster the basis of a geographical secured data transfer and they will be brought system, as it has been proven platform. On-line data in to justice faster with that the eye is the best the field will usher in a incriminating evidence. instrument for deciphering revolution in the manner that Better yet, they will be information. If, for example, data is used. deterred from committing a we display the concentration crime. of events of the previous 4. ERP night from the standpoint of As noted above, over the 6. Integration a geographical system, we next three years, a transition Through SOA (service will make better decisions. will be made from existing oriented architecture) Geography must serve as systems to an SAP system technology, the integration the basis for data; we must in the fields of financial of systems will become a proceed from geography to management, maintenance, possibility. The integration the text, and not vice versa. personnel, logistics, project of data will help both management, etc. interrogations and 2. A Uniform Desk (Gates of operations. We will continue Knowledge) to develop SOA technology This is the organizational in accordance with the web information portal of the service technique. All the Israel Police. It contains systems that are required personal and organizational for the obtaining of data data, and provides entry to from our systems will applications, reports, forums, receive their data through information management SOA. We will continue to and document management. operate in accordance with By concentrating the this principle for all future data, the portal offers systems, as well. the organization a clear- POLICING

43 NewNew NationalNational CrimeCrime UnitUnit InauguratedInaugurated 2008 Israel Police News Segalovitch; the Commander operational units is a required of the Department of one; the five units are the Investigations and Intelligence; five fingers on an iron fist. I the Mayor of Modiin and the am positive that this united top brass of the Israel Police. fist will be stronger than the During the inauguration ceremony The new unit will combine five total sum of the five units. The soul of the unit will be On Tuesday, January 1st national units which specialize the intelligence it produces 2008, the Ministry of Public in crime: along with its operational Security and the Israel Police • The National Unit for independence and professional inaugurated the new National International Crime link to the Department of Crime Unit, commanded Investigations and Intelligence by Major General Yoav • The National Unit for in the Israel Police. The Israel Segalovitch. The new unit Economic Investigations Police will be a deterring will include 950 police • The National Unit for Car police force and criminals will officers combined of five Theft now know that crime doesn’t existing national units and will • The National Unit for Fraud pay and criminals will pay the spearhead the battle against price”. national crime organizations. • The ‘Gidonim’ Unit Major General Yoav During the ceremony, the The new National Crime Segalovitch, Commander of unit’s name was announced: Unit will be responsible “Lahav 433” said that the “Lahav 433”. ‘Lahav’ is for complex investigations force, power, strength and size ‘Blade” in Hebrew, and 433 and its police officers will of the new unit, along with its symbolizes the 4 national units be equipped with state of resources and thinking will which assemble the new unit, the art intelligence and bring great achievements in the and 33 is the symbol of the technological tools which minimization of severe crime fifth unit, the “Gidonim” unit. will give it a big boost in its battle against severe crime. and public corruption, which The ceremony was held in the The establishment of the will bring a change in the presence of the Minister of new unit is yet another step general atmosphere. Public Security, Avi Dicter; in the implementation of the “It is a great privilege for me the Commissioner of the Israel Minister’s policy set for the to serve as commander of Police, Inspector General Dudi Israel Police. this unit, a privilege which Cohen; the Israel Attorney also holds in store great General, Menahem Mazuz; the Minister Dicter spoke at the responsibility. My mission is Israel State Prosecutor, Moshe ceremony and congratulated to on one hand maintain the Lador; the Director General of the new unit. “Today we are individual success of each unit the Ministry of Public Security, inaugurating the new unit but also add another aspect Rani Falk; the Commander which will be operational of success which will be the of the new National Crime throughout the country. This product of the united force”. Unit, Major General Yoav step, combining five already 44 2008 Israel Police News www.ips.gov.il LABORATORY LIFE

46 LABORATORY FOR LIFE IPS, Office of Spokesperson Nir, the Israel Prison Service’s school and training base, is shaping Israel’s next generation of prison guards. About one-sixth of IPS personnel spend a year at Nir. In addition to new prison guards, Nir provides training for non-commissioned and commissioned officers and commanders at the various levels of command. Nir is determining what the IPS will look like in the future, and the future looks better than ever. A few weeks ago, Colonel are wearing the same uniform, commanders at the various Debby Sagi, director of the uniform of the IPS. When levels of command. All of the Nir School, heard you act in such a manner, those attending courses at a prison guards course you also represent me, you Nir participate in a variety trainee utter a curse during represent the system. Verbal of unique programs. The a telephone conversation violence might be appropriate curriculum includes core with his girlfriend. Col. for someone on the other courses, professional training Sagi, summoned the trainee side of the fence where the and workshops. Nir provides to a Suitability Committee offenders are, but not for its students not only an entire to determine whether he someone who is wearing the universe of learning material, could finish the course and uniform of the IPS.” regulations and procedures, ultimately join the ranks of the but also values and a unique Israel Prison Service. In the The image of the perspective. It plays a central final analysis, the committee role in the change that has decided to grant the trainee future commander been taking place throughout a second chance, but only This story perhaps illustrates the IPS ever since Lieutenant after its members had been in the most graphic fashion General Yaakov Ganot became persuaded that this had been the decisive role played by IPS Commissioner. It could a passing episode and that the personnel at Nir, the IPS’ be said that Nir represents such behavior would never be sole school and training base, what the IPS will look like repeated. in the education and molding in the future, that it reflects of the prison guards of an entire organization. “At “Just imagine that this incident tomorrow. About one-sixth of Nir,” comments Sagi, “we are had occurred at the central IPS personnel spend a year at concerned with the IPS of the bus station,” Col. Sagi told Nir. In addition to new prison future, not the antiquated IPS. the trainee, “and that citizens guards, Nir provides training Here we mold the image not overheard you and were for non-commissioned and only of today’s prison guard looking at you. The two of us commissioned officers and and commander, but also the

future’s.” PRISON SERVICE 47 A sense of mission Nine months ago, when she of the future generation of We invited Sagi; Major Alona felt that she had acquired commanders.” Zarjavsky, commander of sufficient knowledge from the the prison guards program; field to contribute to others in Zarjavsky: “We are talking and Captain Suzie Saadon, the organization, she joined the about a sense of mission not commander of the prison training team at Nir. just at the declarative level guards course at the school, but also in practical terms. to take part in a round-table The three officers are aware We control the main switch discussion. Sagi, aged 50, has that they are at one of the most and that fact is what drives us been with the IPS for 22 years. significant and influential forward.” Her past positions include junctures in the IPS. They command of the Hermon define their jobs as a sacred Saadon: “Our capacity for and Neve Tirza prisons. A mission. “Only recently, I having an impact is huge. The year ago, she arrived at Nir received the results of the trainees attending courses at and since that time she has organizational diagnosis we Nir are assigned to positions energetically spearheaded the conducted,” explains Sagi. throughout the IPS. That is changes that have taken place “We asked instructors at the what increases our sense of there. She is married and is a school about their sense of responsibility and amplifies the mother of four. Zarjavsky, 39, mission, about the extent to meaning of our work.” is married and is a mother of which they think they influence three. She joined the Nir staff the trainees and also about the Sagi: “The commanders who five years ago. She has served organization as a whole. As it receive what I ‘produce’ at as commander of the prison emerged from the diagnosis, Nir will have to digest over a guard and officers courses 94 percent of the personnel period of many years what we at the school and, two years identify with the school’s have taught here for a period ago, was appointed a program function. It was discovered of a month or two. This is an commander. Zarjavsky has that they consider the work of immense responsibility and a B.S.W. and a Master’s in the instructor a central factor it is accompanied by much criminology. Saadon, 34, is in the process of molding soul-searching. Take, for single and joined the IPS four prison guards when they join example, the prison guard years ago, after completing the organization and in the course. I am the one who must her Master’s in criminology. development of the leadership decide whether the trainees

48 are suited for work in our “creates knowledge” and that According to Sagi, the triangle organization. It is vital that is a vital factor in a growing, defines the school’s position in my projection regarding the developing organization like the organization not as a place future success or failure of the the IPS today. “I set myself the that merely responds but rather individual standing before me task of transforming the school as an active unit that is far- be correct. You could say that into a place that spearheads sighted and which builds itself I am actually determining an processes of knowledge in up as a creative place capable individual’s fate....” the organization and that does of influencing the organization not merely rely on existing through the personnel passing A place that knowledge,” comments Sagi. through its gates.” “I absorbed that idea from my produces studies at the MBL (Hebrew How does the acronym for the Israel Defense knowledge model work? The Nir School was founded Forces’ college for national Sagi: “The initial stage 30 years ago at a training security). Ever since the 1973 entails learning, the didactics, base for the Border Police Yom Kippur War, the basic namely, what happens during in Kibbutz Yael. In the late guideline in studies offered a classroom lesson. It must 1990’s, it was transferred to a in the context of the IDF also include an expanse new facility in Ramla, where has been that one must not offering friction with the it is still located. The trainees depend entirely on existing organizational and external have the use of the facility’s knowledge but should instead settings. The school must 16 deluxe classrooms, which try to project the future as keep one eye focused on what have the finest technological well. If we fought our wars is taking place ‘outside’ – in equipment. In the school’s solely on the basis of our prison facilities throughout courtyard there is a large, knowledge of past wars, we the world. Although we do not impressive compound that is a would never be able to win invest much in research, for model of different cell blocks the ‘next war.’ If we only example, there are others who in Israeli prisons; these models look back in retrospect, we do, and we must learn from are used for the training of will never succeed in dealing them. The school cannot just the school’s students. The cell with changes in a dynamic look ‘inwardly.’ It must be blocks are built as separate setting. Over the past three nourished by content experts units, just as in a real prison; years, the IPS has undergone in the fields of learning and the only difference is that, at an immense change. We are development, who are partners Nir, there are no prisoners. talking today about a totally in the organization. The structure enables trainees different organization, one that to drill their skills in the is innovative, progressive and “In addition, the school must storming of cell blocks, to constantly developing. Our place itself in a position where become familiar with open and school must take part in that it can influence systemic closed cell blocks and even to transformation.” procedures in the IPS. We understand what an exercise must be those who express courtyard looks like. The idea In order to further her goal, our opinions on various topics is to prepare them for the real Sagi developed what she terms in the organization; we must thing – work in the field. After “a model of an organization serve as the organization’s it had for years served as a that spearheads knowledge.” ‘electronic sensors.’ For “preserver of knowledge,” On the blackboard in her office instance, the privatization of to quote Sagi’s definition, it is the drawing of a triangle, prisons, a subject that is being was decided that the school which symbolizes her entire philosophy in a nutshell. discussed within the IPS. It would become a place that also PRISON SERVICE

49 is vital that we explain to our impact on the composition will break his arms and legs.’ prison guards what such a of the trainees at the school. I replied, ‘If someone spits in process entails even before The inductees today constitute your face, that is not an excuse they begin working in the IPS. a third of the trainees in the for using force.’ Afterwards, I basic prison guard course. lead him to the stage, where, “Nir is a ‘laboratory.’ Here During the eight-week course, thanks to another mode of we are allowed to make which has both theoretical and behavior, the prisoner himself mistakes and we even practical aspects, a suitability says to the guard, “I apologize, utilize our mistakes in order committee determines whether I deserve to be punished.’ In to learn how to do things the trainees are suited to serve the wake of such simulations, differently. A mistake at Nir as prison guards. In this case, the guards understand that, up is homework, not a gallows. Nir acts as a filter. “The school until that moment, they had The role of this ‘laboratory’ places particular emphasis on not been working properly is to gather information and moral and ethical questions and that they must do things to build work models. I want when trainees are being differently. Some guards have to influence our cadets, who assessed on their suitability as heard that it is permissible will become commanders with prison guards,” says Zarjavsky, to beat a prisoner, as long as different models of leadership. “because these are the most you leave no visible marks. Furthermore, we work on important and significant Here they undergo a process ‘polishing up’ issues concerned issues.” of change. In the course of our with moral values and ethics. discussions, various ethical Prison guards may learn how Saadon: “Some prison guards issues are raised by the group to handcuff a prisoner, how have learned in the field, from and we clarify them together. to break into a cell block; experienced guards, certain The question here is not what however, if, in their work, they behavior modes that should you can or cannot do and what do not follow a moral code and have vanished long ago. For you might have to answer for do not respect the prisoner’s instance, a guard told me, ‘If when facing a commission of human dignity and if they a prisoner spits in my face, I inquiry; what we deal with see their prisoners simply as items that must be counted at roll calls, then our school has failed.”

A question of ethics The core courses at the school include a prison guard course and a course for non-commissioned and commissioned officers. The increase that the IPS has experienced in recent years has directly influenced the school and the number of its students. The addition of inducted prison guards – inductees who are doing their compulsory military service at the IPS – has an 50 goes much deeper.” things and they are prepared Recently, an old custom Sagi: “The screening processes to listen. For instance, at has been revived for the and the higher minimum the end of the last course, participants in commander standards that the IPS today five trainees announced that courses: a day of exposure demands from new recruits they were registering for to the subject of education, bring us people who are of an undergraduate course treatment and rehabilitation. a better caliber than what in criminology. From our was the case in the past. standpoint, this is truly a “During that day, the trainees The school’s role is to take milestone.” in the course are exposed to this population, which, in activities that they generally any event, has favorable A great medium are unfamiliar with,” characteristics to begin with, notes Sagi. “They sit on a A third of the graduates of the and to empower it so that rehabilitation committee, basic prison guard course will when these young guards are for instance, and see how eventually register for the non- assigned to their units, they a considerable of time is commissioned officers course. will be the ones influencing the spent discussing the fate of Non-commissioned officers, veteran guards, not the other a single prisoner. They hear although they do not have way around.” all the soul-searching on the rank of a commissioned issues such as whether a sex officer, carry out command Zarjavsky: “It should be offender should be transferred roles. The course lasts 11 recalled that here at Nir we to a rehabilitation program. months, during which time intake guards who want to We place them in treatment the participants are given work in the organization, who groups, as if they themselves effective tools for their are very excited about this were prisoners so that they can future role as commanders profession. They come with experience what things are like and leaders. About half of very high motivation and on the other side. We allow basic guard course graduates, with a will to succeed; thus, them to sit with Drug Addicts after completing a non- they are open to learning new Anonymous groups, and so commissioned officers course, forth.” will subsequently register for a commissioned officers The course with the longest course. There, explains seniority at the school is its Sagi, the filtering process is command and staff course, personality-based. In addition, which is given once a year Nir has a specialist officers for 25 senior commanders course, for cell block and shift that have been earmarked commanders; the school also for promotion to the position offers an administrative officers of warden. This course is course and supplementary for prison guards with the prison work training for recruits rank of lieutenant colonel who are already officers in or major. “This is actually the Israel Defense Forces and the only course where the who therefore participate in participants learn about an abbreviated course. Once the organization’s external or twice a year, the school setting,” explains Sagi. “The launches a basic officers course participants learn about for the training of educational security and other agencies that personnel. interface with the IPS, such PRISON SERVICE

51 as the Prisoner Rehabilitation Officials representing the there is still a long way to go. Authority, the Ministry of various prisons that have sent She herself assumes that she Education, etc., and these trainees to Nir participate in will remain at Nir another year commanders are given a the summing up meetings of or two. She misses the field, more comprehensive view the commander courses so she admits. The same can of the IPS as an organization that they can become more be said about Zarjavsky and operating within the context familiar with the trainees they Saadon, both of whom intend of the State of Israel. In will ultimately intake and so to return to work inside the addition, the participants learn that they can form an opinion prison walls. “I want to leave about issues involving work of them. In addition, during the the school with the feeling that at the headquarters level, upcoming year, common goals I have succeeded in impacting administrative questions, and will be established for Nir and the guard’s image,” Sagi sums basic concepts in modern the IPS’ training department. up, “impacting what guards management.” “If our school is the ‘vehicle,’ believe in; I want to train the explains Sagi, ‘the training next generation and to deliver In contrast with what was department is the central to them the message that customary in the past, Nir institution where the vehicle working as a prison guard is a operates its own workshops. goes for its overhauls. The sacred mission – an amalgam All the workshops that training department’s role is to of security work and social were once given by external give us the 10,000-kilometer services”. lecturers are now led by IPS overhaul every so often. personnel who are experts in We need to define common Zarjavsky: “When I go back to what is happening in the field goals and to distribute them work inside a prison, I will be and introduce in the classroom throughout the guard’s work curious to see whether we have issues taken directly from the period with the IPS – from really had an influence.” prison environment. recruitment to retirement.” Saadon: “In another few years, Specialist departments in the Like her colleagues, Zarjavsky perhaps, I might come back IPS that wish to train their and Saadon, Sagi knows that and take over for Debby.” personnel find a suitable place at Nir, which is an effective medium for this purpose. In this case, the school provides the infrastructures while course content is set by the individual specialist department.

We are the “vehicle” Nir today is on the brink of a new process. What began as an internal program directed at personnel and trainees is now spreading outwardly, into the field. Nir personnel present their school’s goals to all relevant prison officials.

52 Straight alk About

Drinking IPS, Office of Spokesperson At T the Alcoholism Treatment “This is your home; you can Department in the Hermon Prison’s always come here,” says Major House of Hope, alcoholics are taught Orli Halfon with a smile to that they can live without alcohol. a prisoner who has finally Of the 200 prisoners who have been completed the treatment treated in this department since its program and who is being transferred to the drug-free founding, only four have returned wing for inmates who were to prison. “I used to really love once addicted but who have to drink,” says one person in the kicked the drug/alcohol habit. treatment program, “but here I have However, as is usual in a learned how to channel that love to treatment department, nothing is as simple as it looks. “This my children and my family.” fellow whom you are looking at and who is leaving today he hit someone. Although him finish as if nothing had was a candidate for dismissal everyone wanted to overlook happened. Only when we told from the program,” relates the incident, I was against the him he was a candidate for Halfon. “He was close to the idea. It made no sense to me dismissal from the program did very end of his treatment when to lie to ourselves and just let the truth slap him in the face. He switched to another mode of conduct and was sincerely prepared to complete the treatment program and to get out of here.”

Halfon, a tall woman who is almost always smiling, broadcasts a message of strength combined with a motherly feeling. For the past two years she has been running PRISON SERVICE

53 that they committed their crime and find ways to overcome it.” when they were intoxicated. Recently, prison guards, social Today, the alcoholism workers and even the inmates treatment program has 44 themselves have become much inmates, four more than more aware of the problem the maximum number the of alcoholism, and everyone department is capable of realizes that this problem must effectively treating. There be solved.” is a long waiting list and some applicants have to wait “Veterans” even several months before the only alcoholism treatment they can be admitted to the department for prisoners in supporting treatment program. Of the Israel, and apparently the newcomers total number of inmates who only one in the entire world. In the Western world, it is are currently receiving the “Today there is no department customary to speak of a program’s treatment, 30 were in any prison in Israel or the 60-percent recidivism rate sentenced to prison for family world that treats inmates among prison inmates. At the violence, ten for sex crimes, for alcoholism and which Hermon Prison, the figure and one for drunk driving. provides at the same time is 25 percent. Some 200 Together they participate in a a comprehensive systemic inmates have completed the variety of treatment groups, treatment program,” she notes. treatment program offered receive a great deal of personal “An alcoholism treatment by the alcoholism treatment attention and, what is most department has a special built- department since the important, they are taught how in difficulty because alcohol department’s establishment, to discipline themselves and consumption is not a criminal and only four of them have assume personal responsibility offense. The line is very thin. returned to a prison cell. “I for their actions. “When a new After all, every inmate drinks believe in authentic, long-term individual joins the group, we and it is very problematic to change,” Halfon points out, take it for granted that this define when somebody has “and I hear that same statement individual knows nothing, just crossed the line of reasonable from the persons taking the like a newborn infant, and we behavior and now has a real treatment program. They know therefore assign a personal problem. The initial difficulty that I come here every morning tutor, who is a veteran member stems from the need to classify not just because it is my job of the group,” explains Halfon. inmates in a prison and to but also because this work is “The tutor accompanies the bring them to the point where very, very important to me. new member for the first they recognize the fact that I always say, ‘No one drinks three weeks of the treatment they are alcoholics and that alcohol just because they are program. During that period, they must be treated. Unlike thirsty.’ Why do people drink? the veteran will be punished drug addicts, alcoholics do Because of the emptiness for every infringement of not make problems in prison inside them. The goal of discipline committed by the and thus no need is felt for the treatment program is to new member. The logic behind removing them from their enable the inmates to identify this policy is that, if the new framework of incarceration their painful feelings, deal member breaks the rules, the to a treatment program. In a with them and find solutions. veteran has apparently not needs survey we conducted, we Alcoholism treatment is the explained them sufficiently to discovered that many prisoners vehicle we use to help the his protegé. I tell the tutors, have an alcohol problem and inmates identify their problem ‘Think of the new members

54 as three-year-olds. Now, you violence,” says Halfon, “a to adjust and they need our would never leave a three- large number of them have a help. If they knew how to get year-old by himself or herself, great need to control others along without help, they would would you? That is why you and it is therefore important not have ended up here. The must never leave new members to limit their authority so department is so full because by themselves!” that they will not abuse it. I do not dismiss people so For instance, one of the role- quickly from the program. I In addition to serving as holders was late in returning help individuals as long as the personal tutors, members in the equipment he had borrowed price that the department pays treatment group can receive from the education wing. does not exceed the ‘profit’ a wide variety of roles in the As punishment for that earned by these individuals.” department: duty-resident, infringement, I sent him to the disciplinary officer, supporter education wing to serve as a Twice or three times a year, of tutors, maintenance officer, helper for an entire afternoon. family visits are made to the task officer. Members who He was told to collect cigarette department. The visitors enter have been assigned a role butts throughout the prison the department, look into the must see that the department’s and, despite his position as a rooms, and reconnect with the agenda is implemented, that role-holder, he went around the family member who is serving everyone obeys the rules, prison and collected cigarette a prison sentence. “Alcoholics and that the department runs butts all that afternoon.” sever the ties with their smoothly. Together with families,” observes Halfon. “I the department’s team, the Renewing contact find it very difficult when the role-holders deal with any connection with the family is deviations from accepted with the family limited. The participants in our behavior committed by other The department’s agenda treatment program have some members in the treatment is rigid and uniform. The amazing experiences here and, program. “We have a set of inmates get up at five in the if the family does not undergo regulations that everyone morning, clean the department a parallel process outside, I must abide by,” Halfon points thoroughly, and eat breakfast know that the participant, after out. “The moment someone together. All department meals being released, will come back breaks one of the rules, the are served in a central dining here again. There is one fellow responsible person is informed. hall, not in the cell block itself, here, for instance, who did Each evening we sit together and everyone must attend not speak with his family for with all the role-holders. At them. After breakfast, all 44 four years. He would spend this meeting, suggestions are inmates in the alcoholism his furloughs from the prison made as to the appropriate treatment department’s at our Charity Center hostel. task that the rule-breaker must program participate in a “How I attached high priority to the carry out as punishment for do I feel this morning?” group renewal of contact with the the deviation. Once a week I discussion. family and I worked hard, hold an intensive meeting with together with them, to make everyone.” Halfon: “We have a set that happen. Now he talks with format, and the participants in his family every Thursday, and However, the level of the treatment program must he tells me, ‘Orli, I swear to responsibility assigned to conform to it. Nonetheless, I you, I will never forget what role-holders must be restricted. consider it my responsibility you did for me!” “Since many of the people to help them to adjust and in the treatment program cooperate with us. The new “I am a person with a serious were sent to prison for family members do not know how problem in life: I am addicted PRISON SERVICE

55 Drinking.” Together with an drinking again, you must know additional social worker who what drinking has given you. If is on the department’s staff, you do not know what drinking First Sergeant Noa Optovsky, has given you, you will start Halfon uses the game of drinking again. Let us make associations as one of the tools that very clear,” she drives this that helps enable the two of point home emphatically for them to lead the individuals the group. being treated deep into their to alcohol,” confesses one pain – the personal one and One of the new participants of the participants in the the one they share with the in the group is serving his treatment program. “All other participants. “As the sixth prison sentence. When my problems stem from the years go by and the alcoholism the other participants say influence of alcohol. I have treatment department’s that there are cases when it is been drinking for 25 years, seniority increases,” says better not to react to external but, only eight or nine years Halfon, with a smile, “I stimuli, he bursts out: “But ago, I recognized that I had know that the inmates learn there are cases when you a problem. I asked to be to fear it more, because it have to react!” Halfon was transferred here so that I could acquires the image of being waiting for such a moment: clean myself up and stop ‘tough.’ However, despite the “Because of what you said drinking. I believe that, if I difficulties, everyone tells me, just now, you keep on coming can clean myself up and stop ‘You remind me a lot of my back to prison. But, don’t drinking, I will not return to a mother.’ Addicts need to have worry, we will help you.” The prison cell ever again. In the such a clear distinction made newcomer is dumbfounded past, I would enter a prison between good and evil, and at as he tries to digest Halfon’s and, when I was released, the department we undermine message. Apparently, no I was still the same person. that distinction somewhat.” one had ever talked to him Today, I feel that, when I in that way before. After all will be released, I will be The associations suggested by the participants had spoken, a different person. It is my the word “alcohol” lead the relating what they felt that dream that my family will once participants in the group to morning, he told Halfon, “I am again start believing in me. deal with the emotions lurking still in shock. Are you telling For over 20 years, I kept lying behind their addiction. It is not me that, because of this, I am to them. I used to really love to always easy to deal with your now serving my sixth prison drink, but here I have learned emotions, but Halfon leads sentence?” Halfon smiles and how to transfer that love to my the group assertively and does repeats, “Don’t worry, we will children and my family.” not allow anyone to elude her: help you.” “What have you contributed Dealing with to us? You want to tell me that The tenth therapist you are not an alcoholic and When the 44 participants in emotions that you do not drink? What the treatment program stand, “When you hear the word do you think of when we say hugging one another and ‘alcohol,’ what immediately the word ‘alcohol’?” Together reciting in unison their prayer comes into your mind?” with the group, she arrives at for peace of mind, it is difficult Halfon opens up the discussion a critical distinction – between not to be impressed by the for a treatment group what drinking gives a person hope and intense power in the numbering 14 inmates that is and what problems its solves. air. Halfon: “When I came called “Straight Talk about “If you do not want to start here, there were only eight 56 people in the department. I The process of her late entry of proposals for work in the did not want to transfer from into the IPS, although she management field; however, I the drug addiction treatment considered the work there very still am not willing to give up program to the alcoholism attractive and intriguing, was the idea of immediate contact. treatment program, but that not easy: “When I joined the I really love the participants move was the right thing to do. IPS, I made a major change in in the treatment program, I I am an assertive, independent my life. I like the very casual really love my job and the person and here I have enough look – I have no shirts with combination here of the tough elbow room to ‘flow’ and to do collars in my clothes closet. stuff and the gentle aspects. my work. Here I am a director, Suddenly, I had to wear a I feel that I really know how a therapist, a group counselor, uniform each morning.... to help people and I am not a staff member of the prison At my previous job, I was prepared to give up doing what system – the combination of all authorized to arrive each I love.” these roles is very much suited morning at 9:30, because I to my personality. I adore the work quickly and get things What some therapists think people I treat and I adore my done faster than anyone else is suitable does not always work here. I would find it very and also because everyone meet Halfon’s standards: difficult to transfer to some knew that I would never be “Some people say to me, other place.” able to get up earlier and arrive ‘Look, it’s not so terrible if on time. When I joined the they are “clean” for at least Halfon’s career brought her IPS, my friends told me, ‘You the year they are with us. We to the Israel Prison Service will never arrive at work at don’t expect any more than at a relatively mature age; 7:30 in the morning and in that.’ Well, I do. If I cannot do however, she has had many uniform to boot!’ The work something that will generate years of experience working at the IPS takes up almost all a long-term change, then I with addicts. “I have now my waking hours. I feel that should look around for another been with the IPS for five I spend most of my time at line of work.” years. I was immediately my job; during the week, I sent to the Hermon Prison, simply have no free time. I “So far,” she sums up, “only to direct the drug addiction cannot go home until I am sure two participants in the program treatment program there. I am that everything that has to be have come back to us after a professionally trained social attended to has been taken care having been released. I worker. Although I specialized of. I have been told on more predicted that when they were in psychiatry, I quickly became than one occasion, “Why don’t near the end of the treatment involved with addiction. That you just sleep there? Why do program. I knew that there is where I belong. The people I you even bother going home?” was still some unfinished treat feel that I know precisely business. Everyone says that what they are experiencing, “It’s strange to see someone you must participate in ten what it means to be an addict. join the IPS at age 41,” Halfon treatment programs before Based on my experience with notes with a smile, “and you are actually cured of your the people I have treated in even I myself thought it was addiction and all therapists are the past, I really believe that a sort of weird idea. I did a convinced that they are the you can get out of that world. I Master’s in organizational tenth therapist. I am always know that you cannot do it by psychology and I had all kinds confident and I always act as yourself and I also know what if I were that tenth therapist. is needed in order to get out of However, it is also important that world.” to remember that you just might not be the tenth.” PRISON SERVICE

57 KeepingKeeping aa CloseClose WatchWatch Israel recently passed a law protecting the public from sex offenders. With the law’s passage, a new unit has arisen in the Israel Prison Service: the Unit for Monitoring Sex Offenders. Today, someone is watching them – and protecting us. IPS, Office IPS, of Spokesperson A., a Jewish male, sexually highly dangerous criminal and “Six years ago, the Ministry molested his children from his it was recommended that he of Justice began to formulate first marriage and the children be placed under surveillance, a law that would provide a of his second wife. Like because the feeling was that, comprehensive solution as many other sex offenders, A. immediately upon release from far as the state’s attitude to is aware of his behavior and prison, he would start looking sex offenders is concerned. his obsession but is unable around for new victims. Inter The law went into effect in to control his conduct. He alia, it was recommended that October.” has been convicted of incest he not be permitted to be near Brigadier General Beck has and sent to prison, where children, whether in a work been closely associated with he served his sentence in or volunteer context, that he the new law, the Law for full. He recently completed not be permitted to have any Protecting the Public from his sentence and has been contact whatsoever with his Sex Offenders, from its first released. victims, that it be ascertained day. “The intention was “Here you have this person that he has no pornographic to create a comprehensive sitting in prison serving a 15- material in his possession law, not to deal with a small year sentence for grave sex and that he be intensively specific area,” he points out. offenses. He does not get any monitored. “A large interministerial furloughs and his sentence team – representatives of is not shortened by one third Making Israel a the Israel Police, the Israel because of good behavior; Prison Service, the Ministry of he is treated as a dangerous safer place Health, the Ministry of Social criminal. Then, one day, the It is somewhat bizarre to Welfare, the Probation Service door is opened and he is told, realize that, up until recently, and the Public Defender’s ‘You are free to go.’” This Israeli law did not prescribe Office – worked on the is how Brigadier Ronit Zer, any orderly monitoring of drafting of the complex law.” commander of a totally new sex offenders. “In Western The goal of the discussions unit in the Israel Prison Service countries, both in Europe and was to create a new law that – the Unit for Monitoring Sex North America, legislation would provide solutions in Offenders – describes the case regarding the monitoring three areas: a professional of A. and others like him. “It of sex offenders has been definition of those evaluating is like releasing a tiger. It is on the lawbooks for many the dangerousness of sex simply frightening to think years, whereas, in Israel, offenders, a field in which that such a person is released there was a huge vacuum,” there were no directives without any limitations.” explains Brigadier General whatsoever; the establishment That is precisely the reason Yossi Beck, head of the Israel of orderly procedures for why the unit was created. A. Prison Service Treatment monitoring sex offenders; and was defined as a moderately to and Rehabilitation Authority. the creation of a professional

58 treatment context for sex integration of the new unit in organizational preparations for offenders in Israel. its organizational structure. its implementation six months When the law went into effect, It was decided to implement earlier: The official order was the question was raised as it in stages, according to a drafted, staff workers were to who should monitor sex professional ranking procedure carefully chosen, and, a month offenders: Should the job be that would first provide a before the law went into effect, given to an existing agency solution to the most dangerous the new unit was already in or should a new authority be populations: In the first stage place. established under the auspices (October 2006) monitoring The Unit for Monitoring of this law? As in many orders would be imposed for Sex Offenders has a staff of other instances, the agency inmates who were released 12: six supervisors and six that displayed the necessary after serving their sentence professional staff workers - a initiative and volunteered was in full, in other words, who commander, a criminologist, the Israel Prison Service. “The were convicted and did not a legal adviser, an assessment IPS commissioner decided have their sentence reduced and treatment programs officer, that the IPS would undertake by one third because of good an intelligence and assessment this task,” explains Brigadier behavior; in the second stage officer, and a coordination General Beck. “Although the (October 2007) monitoring officer. “The screening was IPS works only with inmates, orders would also be imposed rigorous,” emphasized Zer, most of the offenders requiring for those who committed sex “the supervisors have a monitoring are, in any event, offenses against children, background of professional inmates and the IPS is the in other words, those who work in the IPS, whether agency that knows them best. committed sex offenses against in command or treatment As law enforcement agents, minors but were not sent positions, and they are very we are very familiar with to prison or who had their much aware of the caution the manipulativeness of sex sentence reduced by one third with which the law must be offenders. At the treatment because of good behavior; implemented. The law itself level, the IPS began to in the third stage (October specifies that it must be establish a special wing for 2008) orders would also be implemented with caution: The sex offenders at Masiyahu imposed for those who had offender being monitored is a Prison without any connection their sentence reduced by human being and a free citizen. to the law, the IPS’ Center one third because of good Those who were chosen for for Emotional Health (the behavior; and in the final the role of supervisors have CEH) has for many years stage (October 2011), all other a high level of motivation been involved in the area of offenders would be included - and treatment awareness and assessing the dangerousness namely, those who committed a humane approach that are of offenders and treating them, sex offenses against adults but combined with professional and special treatment groups were not sent to prison. ability, strong familiarity with for sex offenders already the system, proven experience existed at the IPS. The skills Creating the right and a profound understanding were there and were being of what is expected of them utilized.” team for the task professionally.” Ever since the law’s Although the Law for However, rigorous screening passage and with the help Protecting the Public from is insufficient: “All the of the Ministry of Public Sex Offenders went into supervisors have undergone Security, the IPS made the effect on October 1, 2006, the a training process,” explains necessary preparations for the IPS had already begun the Zer, “that included learning PRISON SERVICE

59 about their target population, the assessments are sent four sufficient,” notes Zer. training in the legal field (an months before the scheduled “However, it should be pointed understanding of the law and release from prison. For that this is the practice in other its ramifications), and policing those individuals assessed as countries enforcing similar (subjects such as the use of between moderately to highly legislation. In no country do the Internet for pornographic dangerous, the unit formulates you have a situation where purposes, searches, recommendations for the one supervisor carries out questioning, long-range conditions of supervision. “The surveillance on a single goals, short-range objectives, conditions of supervision,” individual for an entire 24- apprehension and observation). explains Zer, “can include hour period. Those who work This is the practical side that various instructions and with sex offenders know that the IPS has not placed that prohibitions: for example, there is the phenomenon of a much emphasis on up until the offender being forbidden constantly expanding “circle now. Parallel to the training, from approaching minors; of attack.” If you know the the unit is becoming more being under house arrest at offender you are supervising, consolidated: Procedures, an night; and being prohibited you will also know how to implementation protocol and from living in or even visiting recognize the point where contents are being established. a certain district, from the offender is starting to go Since this is an operational unit establishing or maintaining downhill, and that is when you with a highly specific task, the any contact with victims or have to intervene.” technological aspect was given from possessing pornographic Unlike what is commonly special attention. “We wanted material. The unit submits the thought, most sex offenders, the unit to have the proper recommendations to the state explains Zer, do not look for operational and computing prosecutor’s office, which, in their victims at every possible equipment, including tape turn, recommends that an order moment: “There is the belief recorders, video cameras and of supervision be issued. The in the general public that sex surveillance tools; we felt law’s ‘teeth’ are the penalty offenders spend the entire day like James Bond,” Zer recalls imposed in case the order wandering around and raping with a laugh. “It is the general is violated, and violation of victims, that they are serial understanding here that this the conditions of supervision rapists like Benny Sela [a is a different unit whose task can mean up to two years in convicted serial rapist currently must be clearly defined and prison.” serving a sentence in the Israeli which requires the assistance prison system]. However, in of external agencies. The Careful supervision reality, most of them move supervisors would wear very slowly into a situation civilian clothes and work at In Israel’s prisons today, there where they will commit all hours of the day and night, are some 1,200 sex offenders. an offense - they collect including Fridays, Saturdays Over the next 12 months, 180 material, increase their level and night shifts. Slowly but of them are expected to be of stimulation and only then surely, the feeling developed released, after serving a full do they commit the offense. A that we were members of an sentence. The unit anticipates supervisor who knows how to operational unit and a real that 100 of these released keep close tabs on the persons esprit de corps formed.” inmates will be referred to it being supervised knows how for supervision, which will be The Unit for Monitoring Sex to recognize the signs and will handled by the six supervisors. Offenders receives assessments be able to pinpoint the right “I am asked whether this of dangerousness levels from moment for taking action. kind of supervision - carried the CEH regarding offenders When the moment for taking out once a week - is really who will soon be released; action arises, the supervisor 60 can try to speak to the offender and Screening Division at now. I am confident that, the and explain, ‘Right now, you Nitzan. That division is the moment one aspect will be are in a dangerous situation. national center for absorbing ironed out and will be given Watch yourself.” If that does inmates who have recently public attention, everything not work, the supervisor can been sentenced and it is will start to move forward.” conclude that the person being responsible for the diagnostic In her job at Nitzan, Zer supervised is not cooperating; and screening procedures in all learned at close range that it in that case, the supervisor the various prisons throughout is no easy task to deal with can report that the order of Israel. There I was exposed to the manipulativeness and supervision is being violated. all sorts of prisoners, I learned false impressions that are From experience gained here about various phenomena, characteristic of sex offenders: and in the rest of the world, it and I considerably broadened “I remember the case of the is a well-known fact among my understanding of sex Rapist from the South, because the experts that, for sex offenders.” I classified him. He was a offenders, as opposed to other Like all those serving under very difficult rapist, like the kinds of offenders, the very her command, Zer regards her kind you see in the movies. fact of supervision serves as new job as a “social mission When he was in prison, he was a powerful restraining device. that goes beyond the duties very cooperative. He would The supervisory framework required in this post; we all go out on furloughs and the actually helps sex offenders have children out there.” The system simply went into a - some of them realize that fact that she is privileged to be ‘slumber mode’ with regard they are capable of harmful the first person to head such to this individual. Then, on acts but they are unable to a unit adds to her motivation his third furlough, he fled the control themselves. The and to her desire to create, to country. Some sex offenders supervision helps them to build and to initiate. However, can be very clever and very restrain themselves. Thus, the every beginning has its manipulative, and you must supervisory element is also a difficulties, especially if your be very careful not to make a treatment factor.” job is interconnected with mistake when you assess their other governmental agencies; degree of dangerousness.” The new law’s thus, at first, things do not Unlike the other special run as smoothly as you want: “labor pains” units in the IPS, the Unit for “We all have a tremendous Monitoring Sex Offenders Ronit Zer’s richly varied career desire to perform our duties does not yet have a hall of in the Israel Prison Service as best as humanly possible fame; however, Zer is not attests not only to the wide but we are being slightly held worried: “Today, the unit is range of opportunities that this back for the moment. We have like a tiny blossom in its initial organization offers its workers, received very few assessments stage of operations. However, but also to an exceptional of dangerousness levels; we I am confident that, in a few personality that constantly are dependent on the CEH and years, people will say, ‘How seeks new challenges. “As far we are not making the kind of did we manage without this as my professional training is progress we had anticipated. I unit?’ I do not think that I am concerned, I have a Bachelor’s assume that these are merely envisaging a state of utopia; it degree in criminology and the labor pains of a new law just seems so logical. After all, I entered the IPS as a social and that the whole matter will throughout the world, this kind worker,” Zer recalls with a soon be solved. Everyone of unit is an integral part of the smile. “I subsequently served who hears about this new law correction system. With a little in various capacities until I cannot understand how we push, everything will begin to became head of the Diagnosis managed without it up until pick up speed.” PRISON SERVICE 61 New Horizon IPS, Office of Spokesperson

Ofek Prison is Israel’s only prison for adolescents. Its treatment staff uses creative treatment methods, that include A animals, soccer games, scout activities, and a full day of studies. The goal of the methods is to help these adolescents rehabilitate themselves and to prepare them for life outside prison. And the methods work to a very great extent.

A few months ago, R. arrived result of the attack on her, treatment program, they also at Ofek Prison. He had been the goose was permanently enabled him to establish an convicted of manslaughter blinded. R. identified with emotional bond with the and sentenced to a long the pheasant and said to victim, the goose. “Only in prison term. The crime was his prison therapists, “Poor this way was the youth able to particularly cruel and it was pheasant, he attacked because make the connection between given wide media coverage. he has a problem and I am the animal world and his world The youth was aggressive going to treat him.” The very and to identify with the victim, and very withdrawn, and the next day, R. returned to the who he himself had killed,” treatment staff at the prison petting zoo, armed with a says Karen Ganot, head of were finding it difficult to get written plan he had prepared the social workers division at him to open up. himself that was headed Ofek. In the course of the treatment “Dealing with violence.” At the “Animals and Society” provided to the prison’s This youth, who had been conference recently held at adolescent inmates, R. visited convicted for manslaughter Tel Aviv University, Ganot Ofek’s petting zoo, where he and was considered aggressive and Deganit Yaari, an animal encountered a pheasant. A and violence, had actually paramedic who is responsible short while before, this same constructed for for the prison’s petting pheasant had the pheasant a zoo, presented the process attacked a violence-reducing of treating inmates with goose in treatment plan. the help of animals. Their the petting With utter presentation included R’s zoo. As a amazement, the story. “Adolescents are hard to staff members reach with standard methods,” watched as R. explains Ganot, “They do, devotedly cared however, open up thanks to for the pheasant the petting zoo. That is how and, during they build trust and create a his relationship. We can learn a

62 lot about the youths through “high-risk potential suicides,” A future of the way they treat the animals which means that they could and through the relationship try to commit suicide at any rehabilitation and they establish with them. moment, while 25 suffer from change NewHorizon They keep asking us why the severe emotional distress. Ofek Prison was officially IPS, Office of Spokesperson animals are in cages; they want The combination of criminal to know what crime they have opened six years ago, in May activity and adolescence 2001. Before its establishment, committed and for what sin requires the use of unique they are now behind bars.” juvenile delinquents were sent treatment methods and the to serve their sentence in the investment of a special effort three youth wings of Sharon on the part of the prison staff. Prison. The warden of Sharon A Not prepared to The petting zoo is but one Prison, which was essentially give up on anyone of many examples of their a facility of incarceration for unique approach. Ofek is not adults, was also responsible Ofek Prison is the only prison an ordinary prison. Perhaps for adolescents in Israel. for the juvenile inmates; more than any other institution however, he treated them like Behind its walls, inside the of incarceration, Ofek attempts Sharon prison compound, any other inmate. The idea to prepare its inmates for of establishing a separate and adjacent to orchards life outside prison walls. Its that spread the aroma of prison for adolescents was inmates are individuals whom born when the Israel Prison their citrus fruit to all the society has more than once surrounding area, are 250 Service understood that they given up on; however, Ofek’s constitute a unique population juvenile delinquents aged 12 staff members are not prepared to 18, most of them convicted group. It was the IPS’s view to give up on anyone. “There that adolescents have a better for violent and sex crimes. is a conceptual difference An additional seven inmates chance of changing their between Ofek and prisons behavior patterns. Even the have already passed their for adults,” notes Lieutenant 18th birthday; however, they name Ofek (which means Colonel Nili Itzkowitz, Ofek’s horizon in Hebrew) was are continuing to serve their warden. “Here we relate to the sentence at Ofek as tutors chosen with great care; it inmates on an individualized conveys the idea that juveniles for the weaker prisoners, in basis. When we receive accordance with the Youth Act. still have a horizon, that their adolescents, we assign them future can be oriented toward Courts of law are reluctant to to the place that is the most rehabilitation and change. send juveniles to prison and suitable for them and that prefer to exhaust every other will prepare them in the best In accordance with this possible treatment option. possible way for the day they concept, it was decided that Juveniles sent to prison are are released. The treatment Ofek would have a higher generally given only minimum of adolescent inmates is percentage of treatment sentences; thus, most of the no simple matter. When an workers than other prisons. adolescents at Ofek have been adolescent breaks down and Ofek reminds one of a sentenced to only two years in cries, your heart is torn much treatment prison. Whereas, in prison. Nevertheless, there are more than when an adult does. prisons for adults, there is one juvenile inmates at Ofek who You want to do all you can social worker for every 80 to have been sentenced to terms for these youths, so that their 100 inmates, at Ofek, there is of 20 years or more; for some rehabilitation process will be a one social worker for every of them, this is their third or successful one when they are 40 inmates. In addition, the fourth prison sentence. Nine ready to be released.” staff includes a psychiatrist, several psychologists and

of the inmates are defined as PRISON SERVICE 63 two rehabilitated counselors opportunities until they decide curriculum, HLA (Hebrew – former drug addicts who to utilize them; we must never acronym for teaching, learning are now “clean” and who can give up.” and assessment), is especially talk to the juveniles at their designed for helping youth own level. The prison is run with problems to advance their by female personnel, all of The parrot studies. The ministry today whom have university degrees invests NIS2.5 million yearly or a background in the field helped pass the to provide schooling for Ofek’s of education or treatment. For matriculation exam adolescent inmates. example, Lieutenant Colonel Ofek’s motto is “Schooling The youths are taught by a staff Itzkowitz studied social work in prison is a must.” Thus, all of 38 teachers, all of whom in the past. However, the inmates must attend school, are specialists in the fields of deputy warden is invariably and, in practice, 90 percent special education and youth someone with a background of the juvenile inmates do advancement. They are headed in security. Thus, a balance is so. Their school is a learning by Tzipi Holiker, director of achieved between treatment center located behind prison the learning center. The school and security. walls. Their school day begins year begins on September 1 Four years ago, Ofek moved at 8 A.M., ending at 12 noon; and ends on July 20; between to its new building where those who do not attend July 20 and September 1, there it is presently located. The classes are not eligible for is the Summeriad (Kaitziya), transfer was carried out after privileges. Only recently, one a summer program combining considerable thought and inmate submitted an appeal studies and recreation. The in-depth discussions. The to the Supreme Court in its school year includes an almost goal was to create a treatment capacity as the High Court of endless series of ceremonies atmosphere in the prison that Justice against the prison’s intended to reinforce and would give the adolescent warden, arguing that she was empower the curriculum. inmates a sense of space. The forcing him to attend school Unlike ordinary schools, incarceration of adolescents against his will. He ultimately the classroom environment in this new building with this withdrew his appeal. In fact, he constantly changes at Ofek’s inviting atmosphere can, staff took his matriculation exams learning center, with students members argue, reduce their and passed them with flying continually being released level of violence. “In practice, colors. from prison and being replaced however, this is not such an As in any ordinary school, by new ones. Furthermore, easy matter,” admits Maamon the learning center has a bell, some students make rapid Husseini, a social worker at its teachers assign homework progress and are quickly Ofek. “Juvenile delinquents and there are even exams. The promoted to the next class. tend to be destructive and to students arrive dressed in their Most of the inmates complete do something simply because prison uniforms and they all 10 years of schooling during ‘that is the way I want to do have their personal portfolios their prison sentence at it.’ They are rebellious. In fact, – with everything they need Ofek; however, there are also they even shatter the glass for the school day – waiting those who study for their windows in the building so that for them at the learning matriculation certificate. The they can turn the fragments center. They are assigned to members of this group are into daggers. Under such their classrooms according known as the Sayeret (elite circumstances, it is difficult to to their level of schooling, corps). Seven years ago, when generate change and to alter not their age bracket. The Ofek consisted of only three their patterns of behavior. Our Ministry of Education’s unique wings in Sharon Prison, only role is to keep on giving them 64 three of its adolescent inmates will fit the individual inmate types, dealing with the shifts took their matriculation exams; and to provide the inmate with characteristic of adolescence this past year, the figure the right tools. For instance, and getting ready for release was 34. Of these, 95 percent one teenager had to take a from prison. In the latter passed their exams. Their pre- matriculation exam but he was group, the participants are exam diagnosis determined very nervous. He just could provided with vital information that all of the students were not function. We knew that he (vocational guidance, how to suffering to some degree from had an excellent grasp of the write a curriculum vitae, etc.). ADD (Attention Deficiency material and we really wanted There is also a group that treats Disorder). to help him; the problem is sex offenders. This is perhaps “Education is a window of that we did not know how. He Ofek’s “flagship” program opportunity,” says Orit told us that he would be able and it has been in existence to calm down if we brought for seven years. A research him the parrot from our petting study conducted at Ofek zoo. After a few minutes, we examined what percentage of returned with the parrot, who the inmates who participated sat on the inmate’s shoulder, in the group from beginning remaining there until the end to end (that is, who completed of the exam. The young fellow the treatment process) returned passed with flying colors. to prison. The findings were that this group had achieved 100-percent success: None of Rabinowitz, head of the A scout tribe, the participants returned to education division at Ofek. soccer and theater prison. “The goal of the group “I never forget the offenses is to prevent any increase committed by these teenagers At the end of the school day, in the number of victims,” nor do I ever forget their the youths return to their comments Ganot. “and that victims. However, I know that respective wings. From 2 is accomplished through if we do not ‘crack their shell,’ P.M. onwards, after lunch, familiarizing the youths they will return to the very the prison functions as a with their ‘vicious circle’ of point they were at when they community center and each sexual attacks. The immense came to us. We are not ready youth is required to participate advantage of group treatment to give up on anyone nor are in an educational treatment is the continuum of treatment we ready to let our adolescents program. Ofek’s staff social it provides. When juvenile give up on themselves. When workers direct the youths inmates are released from our teenagers attain their first to treatment groups; each prison and when part of their successful achievement – for group is suited to a specific rehabilitation process takes example, passing an exam category of inmate. One place in a treatment group or receiving a good report group, for instance, treats for sex offenders, they can card – the ‘gate’ is opened. youths who were convicted proceed forward from the point Something happens to these for offenses of family violence they reached when they came youths. According to our way or for violent offenses in to Ofek.” of thinking, there is no such general. The youths learn The staff at Ofek attaches great thing as an adolescent who about their “vicious circle” of importance to the education ‘cannot make the grade.’ In our violence and are taught how the youths receive outside the view, everyone can succeed at to adopt alternative behavior classroom as well. According school. What is needed simply patterns. Other groups focus to the Ofek approach, the on addictions of various is to find the right ‘suit’ that greater the investment in the PRISON SERVICE 65 prison’s juvenile inmates, Rabinowitz, “and to provide father, who had decided to cut the better the chances that our youths with an ‘ordinary’ off all ties with him because of they can be removed from Scouting experience, the same the offense he had committed the “vicious circle” of crime. sort of experience enjoyed and because he had stopped The youths are free to choose by their peers outside prison being religious. We invited from a variety of special walls. In both our Scout the whole family to the show interest groups: music, art, tribe and our soccer team we and the father also arrived. animal care, etc. Every special emphasize the acquisition ‘Dad,’ the youth said on stage, interest group at Ofek, from of values through a self- ‘please take me back. Please meditation to soccer, becomes image based on belonging forgive me; I am a human a therapeutic tool that provides to a group. If initially, our being and I have changed.’ another way of getting through adolescents regarded Scouting The teenager was afraid that to these adolescents, even if as an activity reserved solely the dialogue would produce the route is indirect. Ofek’s for ‘nerds,’ today they very no positive results, but in the staff tries to choose activities much want to participate in end his father forgave him. On that are also popular among the the Scout tribe’s program. another occasion, last March, inmates’ peers outside prison We even have activities our theater group participated walls. For instance, the inmates involving beams and ropes, in a youth drama festival in are offered the opportunity just like any ordinary Scout Bat Yam. Suddenly, our youths to attend a soccer school tribe. Granted, everything is took off their criminal ‘masks’ sponsored by the Hapoel Tel done under close supervision; before the performance and Aviv soccer team or to be the however, we do not change began asking the same kind member of a Scout group. the Scouting program, so of questions all adolescents Ofek’s Scout tribe has groups that our teenagers can fully ask: ‘What happens if no one with names like Dror (= enjoy the real experience of applauds?’ ‘What if they don’t freedom in Hebrew) and Scouting. Similarly, in our like our show?’ ‘Will there Emuna (= faith). Only recently, soccer team, we do not limit also be girls?’Suddenly, the the Ofek tribe celebrated ourselves solely to the game criminal had vanished and, its fourth birthday – with itself. Hapoel teams come to instead, an ordinary teenager a ceremony that included Ofek for return matches, and had emerged.” pyrotechnic signs and the that develops our youths will Treating this unique population distribution of scarves to power, cooperative spirit and group requires an endless the tribe’s members. Such willingness to support their series of creative ideas. Only ceremonies are routine for peers. Last year we launched a recently, Okef acquired 15 Scout groups, but are less coaching assistants course and aquariums. The fish were to be frequently seen in a prison some of our youths obtained cared for both on an individual setting. The tribe is led by their coaching assistant basis and in a group context. Scout counselors from the certificate. All in all, we want Each aquarium contained two older levels and former to upgrade every project and fish. The youths received the Scout battalion commanders. turn it into a therapeutic tool.” aquariums, which were placed Attempts are currently being The theater group is a good in their cell, and they were made to establish a permanent example of this approach. expected to look after the cooperative relationship The inmates write and play fish and keep the aquariums between the Ofek tribe and parts drawn from their own clean. This idea was thought the nearby Tel Mond tribe. life experiences. “On one up by Deganit Yaari, who is “To use professional jargon occasion,” recalls Rabinowitz, responsible for the petting here, the goal is to normalize one of our teenagers chose to zoo. “When youths raise our Scout activities,” explains present a dialogue with his living creatures in their cell,” 66 explains Ganot, “they develop program, it is essential that session, they meet with a social a sense of responsibility, a Ofek’s staff work with the worker and a family member need to care for someone adolescent’s family and or a significant figure in their else and an ability to give. friends. life and who can serve as their For instance, one teenager Today, Ofek operates two guardian after their release. informed us that he would not projects for teenage inmates The meeting is also attended take a shower until his release soon to be released from by an Ashalim coordinator, from prison. We had a terrible prison. The first, SHOSHAN who is not directly connected time with him. Then we placed (Hebrew acronym for with Ofek. In the course of an aquarium in his cell and he Rehabilitation of Youths the meeting, the adolescents’ soon learned that the aquarium and Their Integration in relatives tell them what, in had to be cleaned and the water the Community), is run by their view, are their strong and replaced from time to time so the Prisoner Rehabilitation weak points. The adolescents that the fish can stay healthy. Authority. A PRA also express their own opinion. He began to understand that he representative and a prison “Often, there is a lot of crying as well had to care for his own social worker meet with the at these sessions,” says Ganot. personal hygiene and health; youth a month prior to his “This is the first time that so he finally agreed to take appearance before the Parole the ‘dirty laundry’ is being showers.” Board. Any youth who is displayed for everyone to see. interested can ask to be part For example, one 15-year-old of this project. Adolescents boy told his relatives, ‘I want Special projects participating in the SHOSHAN to be a 15-year-old teenager, before release project sign a contract and the not a 30-year-old man, which PRA representative meets with is what you have turned me In practice, the statistics them once a week. In 2006, into.’ After the meeting, the show that recidivism PRA representatives met with participants return to the among imprisoned juvenile 134 youths, and 59 of them room and construct a plan to delinquents is 40 percent. completed their rehabilitation which everyone is committed. Among the youths who have program; 21 dropped out Another element in this taken their matriculation or were asked to leave project is the arrangement of a exams, that figure drops to SHOSHAN, and the remainder meeting between the offenders only six percent. Among are still in one of the stages of and their victims. At this point, youths who have taken part the program. these meetings are not held too in our theater group, it is just frequently. Not all the victims four percent, and, among sex “The goal,” points out Ganot, “is to enable our youths to get are prepared emotionally to offenders who have completed visit our prison and they do not our treatment program, the to know their therapist before they are released. Their level always agree to come to such a figure is, as noted above, zero meeting.” percent. Nevertheless, Ofek’s of anxiety will then drop and staff members are aware of the they will know where they are In May 2007, the Milestone complexity involved in release going when they get out of Center was opened in the from prison. Adolescents who prison.” community of Kadima, not far have served time do not have The second project is KEDEM from the northcentral coastal many opportunities when they (Hebrew acronym for Family city of Netanya. The idea are released and generally they Discussion Group). Before behind the establishment of return to the society they came youths are released, they this center is that every youth from. In order to ensure the participate in a therapy session about to be released from success of their rehabilitation that lasts several hours. At this prison should have a half-way house that can be of help in the PRISON SERVICE 67 not bear to hear his narrative – it was dreadful.” Rabinowitz: “In some of these cases, we hear the story and we say, ‘That just can’t be true.’ Sometimes we read a newspaper report about a juvenile who is a sex offender and then, two weeks later, we have to provide a solution for that same offender who has turned up here. No easy task, process of release. Milestone are truly shocking. There are but the difficulty is part of the is a daycare center that times when I look at one of process. If things were easy provides a solution for youths our inmates and find a total around here, we would all during the three months prior incongruence between the become robots at Ofek.” to their release from prison; person standing before me and Ganot: “Even the social afterwards, they return to their the indictment sheet. I see a workers have a difficult task. respective communities, often small, nice-looking youth and After all, we are only human with a great many fears and I cannot believe the amount of beings and it is difficult for us anxieties. “Someone once evil and cruelty that appears to identify with an inmate who wrote about Ofek that it is in that individual’s indictment has committed a serious crime. a ‘gilded cage,’ comments sheet and which does not seem Nevertheless, we are still Itzkowitz. “That is true, of to match in any possible way obligated to provide treatment course. When our youths are the outward appearance and for that inmate – we have no released from Ofek, they often manner. I have two adolescent choice in this matter. So we find that they have once more daughters. I see their friends organize a weekly instructional become ‘lost in the forest.’ and then I see the youths here; session for all staff members Most of them return to the the comparisons I make are no who also have periodic ‘airing- same society and same context simple matter. My daughters out’ vacations, and these kinds they came from.” are not happy when they meet of things help us to cope.” the kind of youths who end up here at Ofek. These youths are All the partners in the The face of an the same children who cause unique treatment process havoc at school and frighten in which Ofek’s young angel my daughters.” inmates participate have the same dream: To build up the It is not easy to be a member Prison guard Suzie David: of Ofek’s staff. The youths and inmates’ hopes and reduce “You see children here, they their sense of despair. Or, in their offenses are sometimes look so innocent, they are no almost too much to bear. For other words, to paint a rosier higher than your desktop. Yet future for these teenagers. that very reason, Itzkowitz they have done horrible things. believes that Ofek’s staff “I know that I am doing all One day, when one of our I can for these adolescents,” members must be very special inmates, who had been arrested people capable of carrying Itzkowitz sums up her role, on suspicion of murder, could “but I also know that I must out a unique task: “Our work not fall asleep, he told me what here is extremely difficult. still do much more. I will try to he had done – the whole story. convince our prison system to Sometimes the offenses that My eyes filled with tears. I our inmates have committed do more and to do some things moved my head aside. I could differently.” 68