Israel Prison Service
Separate prison facilities are maintained for
adult male criminals, security prisoners, white-collar offenders,
juveniles and women. A variety of rehabilitation programs are
available, geared to the inmates' profile and offense and aimed at
their reintegration into society. Among them are educational and
vocational courses; probation frameworks; counseling; and employment
opportunities within and outside prison, with earnings divided
equally among prisoners, their families and savings schemes. Home
leave is granted every 2-3 months to all prisoners except those
considered a danger to public safety.
The right of the prisoner to early release is
provided by law. Inmates sentenced to more than six months may be
discharged at the discretion of the Release Committee after having
served two thirds of their sentence. Prisoners serving a life
sentence may appeal to the president for either a pardon or a
reduction of sentence. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs,
assisted by volunteer organizations, contributes to the
rehabilitation of prisoners by working with their families and, upon
their release, supporting their efforts to secure employment and
maintain a normative lifestyle.
Sources: Israeli
Foreign Ministry |