Israel, known for its incarceration crisis, has taken in thousands more terrorists since October 7th. Some of them were those who invaded Israel back then, and some were arrested later.
Today (Wednesday), the Israel Prison Service warned that in the absence of a budget for holding terrorists in prison, there will be a disruption in the continued prevention of terrorism and the technological revolution that began in the organization since October 7, which has increased security circles in secure prisons and warned in advance of unusual events that could harm prison guards and civilians outside the prison, as reported in Israel today.
The commander of the Southern District in the Israel Prison Service, Superintendent Eran Pe'er, said: "The complacency should have ended on October 7." We must understand that harming the Israel Prison Service is harming national security. "The first terrorist to escape will carry out an attack." Even if there is a hostage deal, the prisons will still be full of terrorists.
It was also noted that the Israel Prison Service is currently facing three main threats: facility attacks, mass escapes similar to the Gilboa Prison escape, and widespread riots. "Terrorists captured following October 7 were an integral part of the tunnel network in Gaza," notes a senior official in the Israel Prison Service, "which increases the concern about digging escape tunnels."
In response to these threats, the service has developed an enhancement plan that includes advanced technological systems. Among other things, the Israel Prison Service has begun operating autonomous drones as part of a pilot at the Megiddo facility, which is intended to be one of the most advanced in the world. The drones, equipped with smart cameras, perform surveillance and monitoring tasks 24/7 and serve as a significant force multiplier.
The article noted how the maintenance of those systems, which can assist in capturing terrorists in case of escape, is very expensive.
Ktz'iyot Prison is particularly challenging. It currently holds more than 2,600 security prisoners. Its sensitive location near the border with Egypt requires special preparation. Until recently, the facility operated without a perimeter wall – a situation that is set to change in the coming days with the construction of a wall three kilometers long and seven meters high, at a cost of 58 million shekels.