Message service prisoners deported for safety and privacy
Detainees cannot use the digital messaging service eMates until further notice. The Public Prosecution Service has warned that the system poses risks, including the continuation of criminal activities within the prison walls. Minister Franc Weerwind (Legal Protection) reports this to the House of Representatives.
According to the Public Prosecution Service, there are no contractual agreements between the Penitentiary Institutions Service (DJI) and eMates about, for example, the protection of personal data. As a result, it is unclear who has access to the system and what information is shared with it.
The number of messages sent via eMates is also a concern. According to the Public Prosecution Service, there are signals that there are dozens per detainee per day. As a result, supervision is under pressure and there is a risk that criminals will further arrange their affairs from the cell via this message service.
Personal data
Weerwind notes that digital means of communication “are largely associated with the same risks as communication by post”. Outgoing messages may be checked, unless they are addressed to a confidential person, such as a lawyer. That will also happen if there is reason to do so, the minister assures.
The minister shares the concerns about the handling of personal data. He calls it “unacceptable” that there are no proper agreements about this, especially because information about individual detainees can be “particularly interesting for malicious parties”. Therefore, DJI has launched an independent investigation and suspended the use of eMates.
Weerwind says he realizes that this “causes inconvenience to both detainees and their relations”. But the importance of preventing continued criminal behavior from prison and the safety and privacy of detainees and their contacts outweighs. Prisoners are still allowed to call, write and receive visitors.