In August 2011, the Public Defender's Office published its periodic report on prison and detention conditions in Israel. [1] The report, which relates to the years 2009-2010, covers various aspects of conditions and treatment of different types of detainees and prisoners, including security detainees. In the report, the Public Defender's Office rebuked the authorities for denying social services to security detainees and prisoners.
According to the Public Defender's Office, it is very important that security prisoners, especially minors and young adults, have access to social services and be included in rehabilitation programs and educational and occupational-training programs. The report noted that this approach is supported by the Israeli Supreme Court, which held that without these types of social intervention, the detention of young security detainees could turn out to be an "academy for terror"; the State should therefore try to change the perspective and mindset of young detainees. [2]
The report reviews seven detention facilities and points out differences in the administration of social services to those categorized as "regular prisoners," who receive all the social services that the facility can provide, and "security prisoners," whose treatment is limited to a workshop about suicidal behavior, which is only available in one of the seven facilities inspected.
In response to the report, on August 7, 2011, the Israeli Prison Services (IPS) noted that Israeli detention facilities are constantly visited and examined by delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross. With regard to the social programs available to security detainees, the IPS asserted that in special cases social treatment is given; however, as a general policy, due to security concerns, there are no treatment and rehabilitation programs for security detainees. It pointed out, however, that in the Megiddo detention facility, two classes provide basic education for young detainees and prisoners in the security section.