VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AS A TOOL TO IMPROVE THE LEVEL OF SECURITY IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

Abstract

Correctional facility is a very specifi c form of an isolation institution. Due to the specific conditions in penitentiary facilities and the complete isolation of convicts, ensuring security for both convicts and prison staff requires application of various means and tools. The subject of the analysis concerns description of the basic regulations and practical diffi culties related to using of video surveillance and determination whether it has an impact on shaping the level of security in correctional facilities. The paper highlights factors that may aff ect the level of security among convicts in correctional facilities by analyzing such aspects as overcrowding of facilities and convicts’ belonging to specific groups of prisoners. The research method used in the work is the dogmatic legal method. The exploration led to a conclusion that legislative changes are needed that will clarify the content of provisions regulating the use of video surveillance in correctional facilities, including: the scope of competences of the head of the correctional facility to put the convict under video surveillance; determining the maximum period of time of storage of the video or audio recordings; determining the catalogue of situations in which video surveillance can be installed in baths, sanitary stations and rooms intended for personal search in the context of respect for the privacy of convicts.

Keywords

• correctional facilities
• video surveillance
• security
• convict
• remand detainee