The Israel Prison Service sent senior officers on a study visit to the Hamat Gader crocodile farm in northern Israel on Thursday to review a plan to surround a future high-security prison with crocodiles.
The concept, intended for terrorist prisoners, is meant to reduce escape attempts and save millions of shekels annually in personnel costs.
IPS officers were briefed on crocodile behavior, handling protocols, associated risks, and the projected cost of acquiring about 60 crocodiles to encircle the facility. The initiative is being prepared in advance of any formal decision to build the detention site.
Last week, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir proposed the concept of a detention center surrounded by crocodiles, Israeli media reported.
The plan would include building the facility close to Hamat Gader, which currently houses about 250 crocodiles of various breeds.
'Relatively small sum compared to security investment a prison requires'
A small crocodile would cost about $8,000, and a large crocodile about $20,000, according to a source familiar with the plan. The National Security Ministry would purchase smaller, still-dangerous crocodiles that would grow within the compound, the source added.
“This is a relatively small sum compared with the security investment a prison requires, and the results would be even better,” the source told Maariv.
“Care and maintenance are simple and relatively inexpensive, and the ministry will buy the small crocodiles, which are also dangerous, and these will grow inside the compound.”
Shir Perets contributed to this report.