Foreign prisoners
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Transcript Foreign prisoners
Prison staff and harm reduction
Additional module:
Foreign prisoners
Training Criminal Justice Professionals
in Harm Reduction Services for Vulnerable Groups
funded by the
European Commission
Directorates General for Health and Consumers
Foreign prisoners
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Lecture
Foreign prisoners – definition and facts
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How do we define foreign
prisoners?
Prisoners not carrying the passport of the country
of imprisonment, including
Those having lived for a longer period of time in the
country of imprisonment without having been
naturalised
Prisoners who have stayed for a short period of time in
the country of imprisonment
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Foreign prisoners – facts and figures I.
Rising numbers of foreign prisoners due to globalisation,
migration, trafficking and transnational crime
Around 21% of the prison population in Europe comprises
foreign nationals
Taking those with a migration background into account,
numbers are presumably higher
The number of foreign national prisoners is increasing in Europe
In some countries, those violating immigration laws are
imprisoned
Foreign nationals are often socio-economically disadvantaged,
having already faced inadequate health care and limited access
to drug treatment before entering prison
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Foreign prisoners – facts and figures II.
Especially high numbers of foreign prisoners in
countries with a large migrant labour force
Toughening of sentences for property crime and
drug offences in many European countries
Increased prison population
Socially and economically disadvantaged people from
minority groups and foreign nationals have suffered
particularly
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Foreign prisoners – facts and figures III.
By tackling the specific needs of foreign
prisoners, tension in the prison can be reduced
and prison management be improved
From the perspective of foreign prisoners, such
strategies lead to a better integration into prison
services and improve the health status
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Activity
Brainstorming on problems foreign
nationals may encounter in prison
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Lecture
Special needs of foreign prisoners
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Access to justice
Potential lack of understanding of the operation of
the legal system due to cultural reasons and
language barriers
Difficulties to find adequate legal counsel
Difficulties during interrogations, e.g. in countries
where confessions have to be signed
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Isolation I.
Lack of contact with families and communities
Lack of support necessary for social reintegration
Lack of knowledge of their right to contact the
diplomatic representative of their country of origin
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Isolation II.
Many foreign prisoners are imprisoned for drug
crimes
The proportion is particularly high for women
Up to 80% of the female prison population with a
foreign nationality are convicted for drug offences
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Language barriers
Impaired communication with other prisoners and
prison staff
Exclusion from many prison activities
A lack of understanding of prison rules
Lack of understanding of their rights and obligations
Possible unintended breaking of the rules
Exclusion from certain services, as requests often
have to be made in writing
Dependence on interpreters
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Immigration status
Potential loss of legal permit to reside in the
country of imprisonment
Lack of knowledge and assistance as regards
immigration laws, rights and duties
Cooperation between immigration authorities and
prison administrations mostly non-existent
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Discrimination I.
Discrimination can be visible in verbal and
physical abuse or more subtle reflected by:
The security level foreign prisoners are allocated
The accommodation they are given
The number of disciplinary punishments
Searching procedures and methods
The type of work they are given
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Discrimination II.
Foreign national prisoners are often not
considered for home leave or day paroles
Foreign national prisoners are often not
considered for non-custodial measures
Alternatives to prison, like therapeutic treatment
for drug dependent persons, are less likely to be
applied
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Health
High rates of mental health problems which might
result from or lead to problem drug use
Special health care needs due to socio-economic
marginalization in society
Those who also have problem drug use may
have experienced poor preventive health,
inadequate medical care and treatment prior to
imprisonment
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Culture and religion
Foreign national prisoners may have special
needs relating to:
Facilities for worship
Special diets
Hygiene requirements
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Release
Foreign prisoners are likely to be ill-prepared for
release
Inability to take part in special preparatory release
programmes
Lack of contact and ties with family and community
Possible deportation
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Activity
The specific situation in the prison and
possible approaches to overcome
problems
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