Changes in the procedure for holding detainees and persons in custody in the temporary detention facilities of territorial internal affairs bodies

At the end of last year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus adopted a resolution that slightly changed the procedure for holding detainees and persons in custody in temporary detention facilities of territorial internal affairs bodies.

Thus, clause 14 of the Internal Regulations of such detention facilities, approved by the resolution of the mentioned Ministry dated 30.11.2016 No. 315 (hereinafter referred to as the IR), taking into account amendments and additions, stipulates that an mandatory condition for smoking tobacco products in cells is their equipment with supply and exhaust ventilation. Now, the consumption of the specified products is also allowed in the investigation rooms of detention facilities and in the exercise yards.

According to clause 33 of the IR, uniform rules have been established for the inspection of food products, both those possessed by persons entering the detention facilities and those included in transfers or parcels. The methods of such inspection include cutting bread, fish, and sausage products into several parts, opening and pouring liquid products and beverages into the detention facility's dishes, transferring canned goods into other dishes, pouring out loose products such as sugar, and accepting sweets and confectionery products only in unwrapped form without packaging.

Clause 77 of the IR determined that currently, not only packs of cigarettes, tobacco, or smoking tobacco are subject to opening, but also any food products.

In the absence of medical personnel in the detention facilities, the right to store medications prescribed to persons in custody, along with the duty officers of the detention facilities, is also granted to the internal post guards near the cells, which is enshrined in the new version of clause 138 of the IR.

Thus, the legal regulation in the specified area is aimed at further improving the order and conditions of detention of persons in custody, and increasing the level of security for both themselves and other citizens.

Prosecutor of the Department of the Regional Prosecutor's Office
for Supervision of Compliance
with Legislation by Bodies of the
Criminal Executive System
and Enforcement
Denis Ploskunov