Criminal Sanctions Region of Eastern and Northern Finland DISCIPLINARY REGULATIONS OF MIKKELI PRISON Effective as of 28 March 2017
2 Contents Section 1 GENERAL... 3 Section 2 MOVEMENT WITHIN THE PRISON AREA... 3 Section 3 DRESS CODE WITHIN THE PRISON AREA... 3 Section 4 KEEPING PREMISES LOCKED AND HEADCOUNT... 3 Section 5 FREE TIME ACTIVITIES AND USE OF THE LIBRARY... 4 Section 6 PURCHASES AT THE COMMISSARY... 4 Section 7 VISITS... 5 Section 7.1 SUPERVISED VISITS... 5 Section 7.2 UNSUPERVISED VISITS... 5 Section 7.3 SUPERVISED VISITS WITH CHILDREN... 6 Section 8 USING THE TELEPHONE... 6 Section 9 SENDING MAIL... 6 Section 10 CLEANLINESS... 6 Section 11 POSSESSION OF PROPERTY... 7 Section 11.1 ITEMS AND SUBSTANCES NOT ALLOWED IN THE POSSESSION OF PRISONERS... 7 Section 11.2 ABILITY TO INSPECT OBJECTS AND SUBSTANCES... 8 Section 11.3 OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING POSSESSION OF ITEMS AND SUBSTANCES.. 8 Section 11.4 WARD-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS ON POSSESSION... 9 Section 12 PRISON WARDS... 9 Section 13 INTOXICANTS AND PHARMACEUTICALS... 9 Section 14 TAKING PART IN ACTIVITIES... 10
3 Section 1 GENERAL These disciplinary regulations contain provisions more specific than those issued in and pursuant to the Imprisonment Act and Remand Imprisonment Act concerning movement within the prison area; keeping premises locked; prison wards; visits and the arrangement of phone use and free time, possession of property; and other matters related to the maintaining of order and the organisation of operations at the prison. Prisoners must comply with the disciplinary regulations. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed on a prisoner for violating the regulations provided that the regulations expressly state that a disciplinary punishment may be imposed for such violation. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed on a prisoner for failure to comply with a request or an order issued by an official of the Criminal Sanctions Agency within his competence in order to maintain order or safety in the prison. Such a request or order may be issued to ensure compliance with the disciplinary regulations. Section 2 MOVEMENT WITHIN THE PRISON AREA Prisoners may move about and spend time at locations for activities assigned to them, in their accommodation ward and at locations designated for outdoor exercise, meals and free time at times specified in the daily schedule for each ward. Any unauthorised movement elsewhere in the prison or in the prison area is prohibited. While moving about within the perimeter of the prison, prisoners may not have items in their possession without staff permission. Outdoor exercise takes place at times indicated in the daily schedule in a fenced outdoor area designated for the purpose. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed for failure to comply with these rules. Section 3 DRESS CODE WITHIN THE PRISON AREA Prisoners must wear appropriate clothing when moving within the prison area. disciplinary punishment may be imposed for inappropriate clothing. A Section 4 KEEPING PREMISES LOCKED AND HEADCOUNT Cell doors are locked at times indicated in the daily schedule. Exceptions to the daily schedule can be made at the decision of the director or a public official authorised by the director. When the cell doors are unlocked, prisoners are allowed to spend time in the ward premises.
4 Prisoners who are outside their cells without an acceptable reason when the doors are locked may be subject to a disciplinary measure. Prisoners must close the door when leaving their cells. Prisoners must be present for headcount at times indicated in the ward s daily schedule. If the prisoner is not present in the location designated for headcount during headcount, a disciplinary punishment may be imposed. Section 5 FREE TIME ACTIVITIES AND USE OF THE LIBRARY Free time refers to the time when prisoners do not take part in activities (work, studying, participation in programmes etc.). Free time activities are specified in more detail in the daytime and evening activity programmes. Smoking is not permitted in indoor areas designated for free time activities. There are separate smoking stations in wards E4. These are semi-closed wards, therefore smoking in cells should be avoided. During free time activities, prisoners are expected to behave in line with the purpose and nature of the occasion. Prisoners should not participate in free time activities if they are sick, and participation may be denied if the prisoner s physical or mental illness is considered an impediment to participation. The ward schedules contain more detailed information on the arrangement of library services to prisoners placed in high security unit or subject to disciplinary punishment or precautionary measures, and on the use of the prison wards library. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed for failure to comply with the rules regarding free time activities and use of the library. Section 6 PURCHASES AT THE COMMISSARY The commissary is open at times announced on the notice boards. Each prisoner does their own shopping at the commissary. Any prisoners who cannot go to the commissary themselves shall submit a shopping list, and the officer in charge will deliver the specified items to them. The commissary manager will provide more detailed instructions. Any misuse of a payment card may result in a disciplinary punishment. Any food items bought at the commissary must be kept in the cold storage facilities on each floor. Prisoners are allowed to use the fridges and freezers when wards are unlocked. A prisoner stealing another prisoner s purchases is subject to a disciplinary punishment, and the prisoner who committed the theft will only be allowed to purchase any items from the commissary by filling in a request form. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed for failure to comply with the rules referred to above.
5 Section 7 VISITS Prison staff are allowed to inspect a visitor or to deny a visit on justified grounds. Visitors may not be under the influence of any intoxicants. Section 7.1 SUPERVISED VISITS Prisoners must submit a written application for a visit by 08:15 on Thursday, any exceptions will be announced separately. The duration of each visit is 45 minutes. No more than three people may visit the prisoner at the same time. Supervised visits are arranged on Saturdays and Sundays between 12:00 and 14:45. Supervised visits are on Saturdays and Sundays. More detailed information on visits and how to apply for them is provided in the orientation guide. Due to limited visiting room resources, visits may be restricted such that prisoners are only allowed to have one visit per visiting day. During a supervised visit, the prisoner and the visitor may not touch each other, nor may any items be given or received. Any giving or receiving of items requires staff permission and supervision. Prisoners are entitled to receive a reasonable amount of items in connection with a supervised visit; these will be delivered to the prisoner after inspection, as permitted by regulations regarding possession. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed for failure to comply with the rules regarding visits. Section 7.2 UNSUPERVISED VISITS Mikkeli Prison has one room for unsupervised family visits. The duration of a visit is 2.5 hours at a time, and visits are arranged on Saturdays and Sundays at 09:00-11:30, on Wednesdays at 13:00-15:30, and at other times by agreement. Any exceptions regarding the visiting times will be announced. The visit start and end times must be observed. Family visits are primarily intended for prisoners who are not granted prison leave. To apply for an unsupervised visit, prisoners are required to fill in a separate form, attach any necessary clarification, and submit it to the guard of their own ward. By submitting an application, the prisoners authorise the prison to check the accuracy of data provided. Before the visit, prison staff will explain the rules to be observed during an unsupervised visit to the prisoner and the visitors. Any disruptions, misconduct or violation of the rules will result in the discontinuation of the visit.
6 Section 7.3 SUPERVISED VISITS WITH CHILDREN To apply for a visit with children, prisoners must fill in a form available from the ward guard. Visits are arranged on weekdays and weekends. As a rule, the duration of a visit is 45 minutes. In special circumstances and in functional father-child visits, the maximum duration is two (2) hours. Smoking is not permitted during the visit, nor may any letters or other items be exchanged. If a prisoner violates these conditions, the prisoner may be subject to a disciplinary punishment and the visit may be interrupted. Section 8 USING THE TELEPHONE Prisoners are allowed to use the ward telephone, at their own expense, to contact people outside the prison. A reservation must be made for all phone calls in a form to be returned to the guard in the morning of the day of the intended phone calls. Call minutes may be purchased at the prison canteen. Prisoners must use their own, individual PIN code for calling. Using another prisoner s code for making calls is strictly prohibited. Use of the telephone free of charge may be allowed for running necessary errands or for another important reason. In this case, the prisoner must ask for permission in writing and indicate the person and the number they wish to call. Any limitations on the number and duration of phone calls are set by the Senior Criminal Sanctions Official. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed for failure to comply with these instructions. Section 9 SENDING MAIL Prisoners are entitled to correspondence. In accommodation wards, letters must be placed in mailboxes reserved for this purpose, and in admission and isolation wards given to prison staff. The name or number of the sender must be written on the envelope. This rule does not apply to letters addressed to authorities that supervise the prison operations or to human rights supervisory bodies. If prisoners do not wish to write their name or number on the letters, they must hand them over to prison staff in person. Mailboxes are emptied at 08:15 on weekdays, and letters will be sent the same day, unless this is not possible due to letter inspection or similar. Any incoming letters may be delivered to wards the same day, unless this is not possible due to letter inspection or similar. If the inspection of a postal item reveals items or substances not to be given to the prisoner, they will be placed on hold in a locker with the prisoner s civilian articles. Any narcotics, and the delivery package, will be delivered to the police. Section 10 CLEANLINESS Prisoners must keep their cells clean, tidy and in good order, and they should not create any unnecessary fire load. The fire detector, the house telephone, the guard call device, sockets, ventilation duct and other technical equipment must not be opened or tampered with. Any costs arising from a false fire alarm and vandalism will be charged to the person guilty of such damage. Seals
7 on sealed furniture may not be broken. Cell furniture must be kept in the order according to the furniture list, and all items must be stored in cabinets and other storage spaces. Prisoners may affix pictures, posters and other objects on the mounting board provided in the room. Prisoners are not allowed to open the cell window, except for the ventilation window, as necessary. Prisoners who use the ward s kitchen and other communal facilities must wash their dishes and clean up after themselves. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed for failure to comply with these rules. Section 11 POSSESSION OF PROPERTY Section 11.1 ITEMS AND SUBSTANCES NOT ALLOWED IN THE POSSESSION OF PRISONERS According to Chapter 9 section 1(1) paragraph 1 of the Imprisonment Act, prisoners are denied possession of items and substances that endanger personal safety. These include firearms, edged weapons, explosives, gas sprays, aerosol products and toxins, and chemicals that may be used to manufacture explosives, such as hair dyes containing hydrogen peroxide or lithium batteries. According to Chapter 9, Section 1(1)(2) of the Imprisonment Act, prisoners may not have in their possession objects or substances that are particularly suited for damaging property. These include, for instance, tools suited for damaging property. According to Chapter 9 section 1(1) (3) of the Imprisonment Act, prisoners are denied possession of items and substances that cause a special detriment to the general order of the prison. Such objects that cause specific harm include: 1) Devices suited for saving information. Such devices include computers, cameras, video cameras, MP3 players and some game consoles. Any devices containing a hard drive, and separate memories, are prohibited. 2) Devices enabling messaging through electronic communication. These include mobile phones, radio telephones, and some game consoles. Prohibited items also include objects used for establishing an electronic connection, such as SIM cards and USB modems (flash drives). Items associated closely with electronic communication are also prohibited. 3) Devices suited for listening to and monitoring radio traffic of public authorities or other surveillance of activities of public authorities. Such items include radiotelephones, radio traffic indicators and headphones operated by radio waves. Prohibited items also include binoculars and other optical devices suitable for surveillance. 4) Items causing harm to health and hygiene and risking fire safety. These include tattooing instruments and candles.
8 5) Objects that otherwise endanger the public order of the prison. Such items include combat and escape devices, and objects equipped with the insignia of criminal organisations and groups. Conversion of permitted objects to make them better suited for acts of violence is prohibited. This means, for instance, sharpening an object such as a toothbrush suitable for use as a striking weapon, or making a handle on a pen. If any of the items or substances described above are found in the possession of a prisoner, that prisoner may be subject to a disciplinary measure. Section 11.2 ABILITY TO INSPECT OBJECTS AND SUBSTANCES Prisoners are not allowed to be in possession of objects or substances that cannot be inspected with a sufficient degree of reliability. Such items include "burned" CDs and nutritional supplements. These also include hygiene and cosmetic products, food items and tobacco products brought in from outside the prison. Hygiene products, food items and tobacco products must be purchased at the prison commissary or otherwise through the prison. If prisoners take such products with them outside the prison, these will not be returned to prisoners when they return to prison. Prisoners are not allowed to purchase products sold at the commissary outside the prison and bring them into the prison. It must be possible to inspect items without damaging them. In terms of structure, any items in a prisoner s possession must be such that they are not conducive to use for concealing prohibited objects or substances. Giving a prisoner possession of an electrical device requires that the device has been granted type approval, its casing is intact and it has an identification number. Electrical devices must be switched off when not in use. Seals attached to an object upon inspection may not be removed or damaged. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed on a prisoner for attempting to remove or damage the seals, or for attempting to transport goods into the prison by evading inspection. Section 11.3 OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING POSSESSION OF ITEMS AND SUBSTANCES Prisoners are allowed to have a reasonable number of utility items in their possession. The number of utility items in a prisoner s possession must be such that the items can be stored in the space reserved for them in the cell. If there is an identical or similar item already included in the standard fittings of the cell, the prisoner will not be given that item. Prisoners shall also not be given any other items that the prison has already obtained for the use of prisoners, assuming that the prisoners have access to these items.
9 The cells are furnished, and prisoners are not allowed to bring their own furniture, such as carpet or curtains. Insufficient power supply does not, except in exceptional cases, constitute grounds for limiting the possession of electrical devices. If a prisoner is transferred to another prison, the provisions on the possession of items and substances in force at the destination prison at the time of the transfer shall be observed. Section 11.4 WARD-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS ON POSSESSION Possession of property is restricted in the isolation ward. Section 12 PRISON WARDS Mikkeli Prison has the following wards: 10+4 L 1 Holding cell ward L 2/-1 TV (closed), for 21 prisoners L 2/-2 TV (closed), for 7 prisoners L 3/-3 TV + VV (restricted activity ward), for 21 prisoners L 3/-4 TV (taking part in activities), for 11 prisoners E 1-4 TV (closed), for 6 prisoners E 1-3 VV (taking part in activities) E 1-5 TV (taking part in activities), for 5+5 prisoners E 2 VV (closed), for 14 prisoners E 3-6+ E 3-7 VV (taking part in activities), E 3-5 TV + VV (taking part in activities), E 4-1 VV (taking part in activities) E 4-2 TV (taking part in activities), 5+5 Section 13 INTOXICANTS AND PHARMACEUTICALS It is forbidden to manipulate or attempt to manipulate a test for intoxicants. Any medicines prescribed by a physician of the prison healthcare services will be dispensed by a nurse and given to prisoners by supervisory staff. Medicines must be taken immediately; any storage is prohibited. If the prisoner declines medication, the medicines must be left in the dispenser. Prisoners may not have in their possession any pharmaceuticals unless they were provided by the prison health care services (such as asthma and heart medication). Prisoners may not possess any doping substances referred to in chapter 44, section 16 of the Criminal Code, or any items intended for the use or handling of narcotic substances. The possession, manufacture or attempted manufacture, and use of unauthorised
10 medicines or alcohol is prohibited. Using these or similar substances for intoxication purposes is prohibited. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed for failure to comply with these instructions. Section 14 TAKING PART IN ACTIVITIES Prisoners serving a punishment are required to take part in the designated activities. The schedules for participation in activities and for breaks must be followed. Prisoners may be exempt from activities on grounds of illness only by a nurse s or the prison physician s order. Prisoners taking part in work or other activities may use their own clothes at workshops and in the outdoor areas unless there are occupational safety related reasons for limiting their use. The safety equipment and clothing required by occupational safety regulations must be worn in each place of work as instructed by prison supervisors. A disciplinary punishment may be imposed for failure to comply with these rules. ----------- These disciplinary regulations enter into force on 28 March 2017 and will be in effect until further notice. Kuopio, 27 March 2017 Criminal Sanctions Region of Eastern and Northern Finland Mika Antikainen Region Director Pentti Niemelä Legal Counsel