‘High-risk’ detainees are no longer allowed to make video calls from prison

Prisoners who are assessed as ‘risky’ are no longer allowed to make video calls from prison. The fear is that serious criminals will pass secret messages to the outside world via the camera. The Ministry of Justice and Security confirms after questions NRC that “in response to possible risks, video calling has been reconsidered.”

The ban on video calling has applied since this month to all so-called ‘high-risk detainees’. These are around a hundred prisoners who reside in special regimes: the Terrorist Division (TA), the Intensive Surveillance Division (AIT) and the Extra Secure Institution (EBI), where Ridouan Taghi, Willem Holleeder and Mohammed B. are being held. Video calling is still allowed in regular prisons – under certain conditions.

Corona time

During the corona pandemic, it became possible for detainees to make video calls to acquaintances or family, because visitors were not allowed at the time. After the pandemic, that option remained. The institution itself determines which prisoner qualifies. The video calls take place via a laptop in a closed room. Guards look over their shoulders and the image and sound of all conversations are recorded. According to the rules of the Judicial Institutions Service Only three people may appear on screen at the same time, conversations must be conducted ‘in understandable language’ and ‘no sexual acts may be performed’.

At the beginning of this month, detainees in the special regimes were told that video calling would be prohibited for them, because the means of communication had allegedly been misused for criminal purposes. The ministry cannot confirm whether a case of abuse has indeed occurred, but says that “in response to possible risks” it was decided on November 8 to ban video calling for all high-risk detainees.

The ministry has been working for some time to tighten the strictest prison regime, after the security breach in the Taghi case. At the beginning of this year, Taghi’s nephew was convicted of passing on messages from and to his uncle in the EBI, which allowed his organization’s criminal activities to continue. The cousin, got the 5.5 year cel, was a member of Taghi’s legal team and frequently visited his uncle in prison. Earlier this year, according to his lawyer, Taghi was transferred to a new department within the EBI, which would be set up entirely for him alone. According to his lawyer, Taghi described the department as “two modified storage lockers.”

‘Huge impact’

Lawyer Frederieke Dölle, who represents a number of detained female Syria travelers, will ask the terrorism prison for clarification. “The impact on my clients is enormous. The women are only allowed to see their children once every six weeks. That video call once a week was a bright spot for them, but that is no longer there.” Plus, she says, a prison guard is always present during the conversations, “so it’s easy to monitor what’s being said.”

The Ministry of Justice and Security recognizes that video calling from prison “can make a positive contribution to the reintegration process of a detainee.” But, the spokesperson says, the “importance” of protecting “national security” carries “heavier weight” in this case.

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