Last update - 00:00 01/01/2007
Proposed law would fine prisoners for vandalizing jails
By Yuval Yoaz, Haaretz Correspondent
A new bill would levy fines on convicts and detainees who vandalize lock-ups and prison facilities, including torching mattresses, damaging police and prison vans, and etching graffiti onto cell walls.
Under the bill, the fines would be levied by disciplinary panels, which would hear accusations against the prisoners.
The funds gained would go toward a prisoners' welfare fund and to the improvement of prison conditions.
The Justice Ministry said Monday that the bill allows for detainees to be treated the same as prisoners.
The bill, which constitutes a proposed amendment to the detention law, also calls for additional punitive measures for detainees who misbehave, including revocation of visitation and telephone privileges and an isolation period up of up to a week.