Israel Prison Service
Encyclopedia
The Israel Prison Service , commonly known in Israel by its acronym Shabas (or IPS in English), is the prison service of Israel
. It is responsible for maintaining civilian prisons in Israel, as well as detention centers for security prisoners. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Security
. In 2008, the IPS employed 7,791 workers.
), center (between Netanya and Ashdod), and south (south of Ashkelon
and Jerusalem). The IPS is headed by the Commissioner of Prisons. In 2008, there were 32 correctional facilities, whereof five detention centers, housing a total of 25,000 prisoners. 60% were serving time for criminal offenses and 40% for security offences.
and conduct training for the prison service (kli'a) wing of the Israeli Military Police
.
) is IPS's quick response and intervention force and specializes in suppression of prisoner uprisings, especially in prisons containing Palestinian detainees. It consists mainly of special forces veterans from the IDF.
.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. It is responsible for maintaining civilian prisons in Israel, as well as detention centers for security prisoners. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Security
Ministry of Public Security (Israel)
The Ministry of Public Security , also Ministry of Internal Security, is a government agency of Israel. It is the statewide law enforcement agency and oversees the Israel Police and the Israel Prison Service.-Minister of Public Security:...
. In 2008, the IPS employed 7,791 workers.
Prisons
The IPS is divided into three blocs: north (north of NetanyaNetanya
Netanya is a city in the Northern Centre District of Israel, and is the capital of the surrounding Sharon plain. It is located north of Tel Aviv, and south of Haifa between the 'Poleg' stream and Wingate Institute in the south and the 'Avichail' stream in the north.Its of beaches have made the...
), center (between Netanya and Ashdod), and south (south of Ashkelon
Ashkelon
Ashkelon is a coastal city in the South District of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, south of Tel Aviv, and north of the border with the Gaza Strip. The ancient seaport of Ashkelon dates back to the Neolithic Age...
and Jerusalem). The IPS is headed by the Commissioner of Prisons. In 2008, there were 32 correctional facilities, whereof five detention centers, housing a total of 25,000 prisoners. 60% were serving time for criminal offenses and 40% for security offences.
North Bloc
- Carmel Prison (Oren Junction)
- Damun Prison
- Gilbo'a Prison (HaShita Junction)
- Hermon Prison (North Tzalmon Creek Junction)
- Megiddo Prison (Megiddo Junction)
- Shata Prison (HaShita Junction)
- Tzalmon Prison (North Tzalmon Creek Junction)
Center Bloc
- Ashmoret Prison (HaSharon JunctionHaSharon JunctionThe HaSharon Junction , commonly known as Beit Lid Junction , is an important road junction in the Sharon region of Israel. It intersects Highway 4 and Highway 57...
) - Ayalon Prison (RamlaRamlaRamla , is a city in central Israel. The city is predominantly Jewish with a significant Arab minority. Ramla was founded circa 705–715 AD by the Umayyad Caliph Suleiman ibn Abed al-Malik after the Arab conquest of the region...
) - Giv'on Prison (Ramla)
- HaSharon Prison (Hadarim Interchange)
- Maasiyahu PrisonMaasiyahu PrisonMaasiyahu Prison is a minimum-security Israel Prison Service prison specifically designated for illegal immigrants and others awaiting deportation...
(Ramla) - Magen Prison (Ramla)
- Neve Tirtza Prison (Ramla)
- Ofek Juvenile Prison (Hadarim Interchange)
- Rimonim Prison
South Bloc
- Dekel Prison
- Eshel Prison
- Ktzi'ot PrisonKtzi'ot PrisonKtzi'ot Prison is an Israeli detention facility located in the Haluza sand dunes region. It is Israel's largest detention facility in terms of land area, encompassing ....
(Ktzi'ot Junction) - Nafha Prison
- Ofer PrisonOfer PrisonOfer Prison , formerly officially known as Incarceration Facility 385 , is an Israeli incarceration facility located in the West Bank, between Ramallah/Beituniya and Giv'at Ze'ev...
(Atarot area) - Ramon Prison
- Shikma Prison (AshkelonAshkelonAshkelon is a coastal city in the South District of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, south of Tel Aviv, and north of the border with the Gaza Strip. The ancient seaport of Ashkelon dates back to the Neolithic Age...
)
Detention centers
- Eilat Detention Center
- Hadarim Detention Center
- Jerusalem Detention Center
- Kishon Detention Center
- Nitzan Detention Center
- Ohalei Kedar Detention Center
- Petah Tikva Detention Center
- Tel Aviv (Abu Kabir) Detention Center
Training
Israel Prison Service personnel are trained in krav magaKrav Maga
Krav Maga is a noncompetitive eclectic self-defense system developed in Europe that involves striking techniques, wrestling and grappling. Krav Maga is known for its focus on real-world situations and extremely efficient, brutal counter-attacks...
and conduct training for the prison service (kli'a) wing of the Israeli Military Police
Israeli Military Police
The Military Police Corps of the Israel Defense Forces is the Israeli military police and provost. The military police serves the Manpower Directorate during peace time, and the Technological and Logistics Directorate during war....
.
Non-commissioned officers
- Rav Samal - Staff Sergeant
- Rav Samal Rishon - First Sergeant
- Rav Samal Mitkadem - Master Sergeant (Sgt. Major)
- Rav Samal Bakhir - Warrant Officer 2nd Class
- Rav Nagad - Warrant Officer 1st Class
Officers
- Meyshar Mishne - 2nd Lieutenant
- Meyshar - 1st Lieutenant
- Kalai - Captain
- Rav Kalai - Major
- Sgan Gundar - Lieutenant Colonel
- Gundar Mishne - Colonel
- Tat Gundar - Brigadier
- Gundar - Major General
- Rav Gundar - Lieutenant General - commander of the prison service. The current commander (from 2007) is Benny Kaniak.
Metzada
Metzada (named after MasadaMasada
Masada is the name for a site of ancient palaces and fortifications in the South District of Israel, on top of an isolated rock plateau, or horst, on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea. Masada is best known for the violence that occurred there in the first century CE...
) is IPS's quick response and intervention force and specializes in suppression of prisoner uprisings, especially in prisons containing Palestinian detainees. It consists mainly of special forces veterans from the IDF.
Nahshon
Nahshon is the IPS's main intervention and conveyance unit and deals with searches, silencing disturbances, guarding IPS staff, etc.Yamar Dror
Yamar Dror, founded at the end of 1993, is the IPS unit for fighting narcotics. It specializes in searches and interrogation.Commanders
- Giri Gera (1949–1951)
- Ram Salomon (1951–1952)
- Zvi Hermon (1952–1958)
- Aryeh Nir (1958–1976)
- Haim Levi (1976–1981)
- Mordechai Wertheimer (1981–1985)
- Rafael SuissaRafael SuissaRafael "Rafi" Suissa is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for the Alignment between 1981 and 1984, and as mayor of Mazkeret Batya on three occasions. He is currently a member of Mazkeret Batya local council.-Biography:...
(1985–1986) - David MaimonDavid MaimonDavid Maimon was an Israeli general of Yemenite origin. He held various posts including military governor of the Gaza Strip, head of the Israel Prison Service and president of the military court of appeals.-References:...
(1986–1987) - Levy Shaul (1987–1990)
- Gabi Amir (1990–1993)
- Aryeh BibiAryeh BibiAryeh Bibi is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Kadima.-Biography:Born in Baghdad in Iraq in 1943, Bibi made aliyah to Israel in 1950. He started his military service in the paratroopers brigade, later serving as commander of the Gaza Strip...
(1993–1997) - Amos Azani (1997–2000)
- Orit Adato (2000–2003)
- Ya'akov Ganot (2003–2007)
- Benny Kaniak (2007–2011)
- Aharon Franco (2011–date)
Privately run prisons
Plans for privately-run prisons have been on the drawing board since 2006. The state hoped to save money by transferring prisoners to such facilities, which would eliminate the need to invest in more infrastructure and manpower. In 2009, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that private prisons are unconstitutional. Following the decision, the state will have to pay compensation to a company that has already completed construction of the first private prison, near BeershebaBeersheba
Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev", it is the seventh-largest city in Israel with a population of 194,300....
.