The fight against illegal aliens: The Israel Prison Service's aggressive strategy shift

When entering the new wing for illegal aliens at Saharonim Prison, it is hard to ignore the similarity to the wings where security prisoners are held. The same iron doors, the same restricted detention conditions, and the same concept that imprisonment is not only punishment, but also a deterrent tool. All this is part of a new policy by the Israel Prison Service, designed to send a clear message: anyone who infiltrates Israel illegally, or assists in doing so, will no longer enjoy the conditions that were practiced in the past.

An internal Israel Prison Service document reveals the new operational concept and the plan to turn illegal alien prisoners into a separate detention category, the "fourth population." According to the plan, completely separate wings will be established, with increased security, a uniform holding regime, strict order and discipline, and unique detention conditions. The goal, according to the document, is to strengthen security, increase governance, and create a more significant deterrent.

As part of the move, illegal alien prisoners currently held in other prisons will also be gradually transferred to the designated wings. At the same time, a series of benefits have been reduced: time spent in the yard has been shortened, purchasing options at the canteen have been limited, and the variety of food has been reduced to essential needs only.

Yesterday, we received a first and exclusive look at the new wing. Among the prisoners we met was a resident of Yatta, serving a nine-month prison sentence after being convicted of transporting illegal aliens into Israel.

According to him, the economic distress in his area of residence is what led him to try to earn money from transporting illegal aliens, an attempt that ended behind bars. Another prisoner, a resident of Jericho, took advantage of the Minister of National Security's visit to complain about the new detention conditions, which he said have become significantly harsher than before. The Israel Prison Service emphasizes that this is only the first stage. The intention is to continue and tighten the detention conditions in the wing, so that they will be even closer to those practiced in the security wings, while complying with the provisions of the law.

At the Ministry of National Security, they hope that the message will also pass outside the prison walls: anyone who considers entering Israel illegally, or assisting others to do so, will know that the price may be actual imprisonment under strict detention conditions.