The system was essentially intended to cut inmates off completely from their original milieu and to separate them from their former criminal associates. Measures normally include bans on:

the use of the telephone;
all association or correspondence with other prisoners;
meetings with third parties;
receiving or sending sums of money over a set amount;
receiving parcels (other than those containing linen) from the outside;
organising cultural, recreational or sporting activities;
voting or standing in elections for prisoner representatives; and
taking part in arts-and-crafts activities, etc.,
as well as restrictions on visits from members of the family (once per month and visitors are only allowed to communicate by intercom through thick glass).