Secure package sending in the Hungarian Prison Service

Abstract

Within the penitentiary system, one of the main forms used for keeping in touch with the prisoners is through sending parcels. Currently, this is done within a closed system. Due to the tightening of regulations, the Prison Service has developed a web-based surface that allows prisoners and their contact persons to access the products they need in a simple manner, still in full accordance with safety regulations. Prisoners may purchase items at the shops inside the prisons, run by the Prison Ltd. companies, offering uniformed commodities that are allowed to be in their possession. Packages accessible for prisoners and their contact persons contain products with composition and price range uniformed at national level from the product range of the inside the prison shops. The purpose of this study is to describe the elements of certain forms of communications, as well as to present the features of the new system and to highlight the many benefits of it. One of the most important benefits is that, due to the changed practice, the number of prohibited items entering through postal mail has been reduced.