NCJ Number
130287
Journal
American Jails Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (May/June 1991) Pages: 92,93-96
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Hungary's national prison service is described from the perspective of a formal U.S. delegation visit to the national prison administration of Hungary in July 1990.
Abstract
Some of the statistics and features of the system observed during the visit are reported. Each of Hungary's 17 provinces contains a county jail. Thirteen of these provinces also have national prisons with inmate populations ranging from 300 to 2,000. The penal system operates under a Minister of Justice with a standard institutional administrative structure. Labor intensive correctional facilities are characteristic of Hungary. Basic education is provided for those inmates who desire it. Inmate labor is mandated, but prison industries service is based on good technical skills in metal works, foundry, sheet metal, air conditioning, refrigeration, printing, textiles, and agriculture. Inmates are allowed unlimited visits and correspondence and to practice their religious beliefs, and sports and recreation are promoted. A visit to the county jail in the town of Gyor revealed marked similarities with those in America. The primary difference was the level of security control over the inmates. Sanctions imposed for rule violations include loss of good time, commissary privileges, and recreation or punitive segregation.