minimum remuneration. Such situation is particularly afflictive for prisoners with
maintenance duties,the number of whom is on the rise.
Professional qualifications of prisoners are improved by vocational
courses (teaching the profession of a painter, paperhanger, bricklayer, plasterer, fastfood cook, green areas gardener, blacksmith, electrician). However, the number of
organized courses is very small. For example, only three courses, which were
completed by 25 prisoners, were organized in Prison in Kluczbork. Five vocational
courses were organized in PDC in Grójec. An innovative e-learning method at the
level of an upper secondary school deserves praise. Each of 12 women included in the
programme in the Pre-Trial Detention Centre Warszawa-Grochów can use a computer
in an education room. They can log in to a special portal “Zeszyt w kratkę”, from
where they can download educational materials to be used both during the stay in a
computer room and in a cell. The course finishes with the secondary school leaving
examination. This programme has a pilot character. Experiences gained from its
implementation in the abovementioned unit will decide on its potential implementation
in other pre-trial detention centres and prisons countrywide. Apart from the Pre-Trial
Detention Centre Warszawa-Grochów, prisoners of the Pre-Trial Detention Centre
Warszawa-Białołęka have also been covered by e-learning programme.
12. Penitentiary work
European Prison Rules [Recommendation Rec(2006)2 of the Committee of Ministers to
member states on the European Prison Rules]Rule 8 Prison staff carry out an important
public service and their recruitment, training and conditions of work shall enable them to
maintain high standards in their care of prisoners.Rule 72.3 The duties of staff go beyond
those required of mere guards and shall take account of the need to facilitate the
reintegration of prisoners into society after their sentence has been completed through a
programme of positive care and assistance.Rule 74 Particular attention shall be paid to the
management of the relationship between first line prison staff and the prisoners under their
care.Rule 75 Staff shall at all times conduct themselves and perform their duties in such a
manner as to influence the prisoners by good example and to command their
respect.Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners [New York 1984]Rule
46 (1) The prison administration shall provide for the careful selection of every grade of the
personnel, since it is on their integrity, humanity, professional capacity and personal
suitability for the work that the proper administration of the institutions depends.10th
General Report of CPT [CPT/Inf (2000)13]§ 23 (…) mixed gender staffing is an important
safeguard against ill-treatment in places of detention. The presence of male and female staff
can have a beneficial effect in terms of both the custodial ethos and in fostering a degree of
normality in a place of detention.11th General Report of CPT [CPT/Inf (2001)16]§ 26 The
real professionalism of prison staff requires that they should be able to deal with prisoners in
a decent and humane manner while paying attention to matters of security and good order.
In this regard prison management should encourage staff to have a reasonable sense of trust
and expectation that prisoners are willing to behave themselves properly. The development
of constructive and positive relations between prison staff and prisoners will not only reduce
the risk of ill-treatment but also enhance control and security. In turn, it will render the work
of prison staff far more rewarding.Order No 2/04 of the General Director of the Prison
Service of 24 February 2004 on detailed rules of performing and organizing
penitentiary work and scope of activities performed by officers and employees of
penitentiary and therapeutic wards [Official Journal of the Central Administration of
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents