The Polish national Central Board of Prison Services has released a solicitation for 600 5.56x45mm rifles and 500 pump action, tubular-magazine fed shotguns. Currently, the Government service has a number of Polish MSBS rifles in the inventory, the most recent of such were seen on parade in a memorial service held by the Central Board of Prison Services. These rifles were also seen in use with what appears to be 10 round magazines inserted. At this point we are guessing that it was a ceremonial practice, possibly loaded with blank rounds Although most likely not used within prisons, the rifles are most likely designated for the special response teams, or more realistically perimeter guards who have to cover long distances around prisons. As is evidenced in the memorial video below, these new MSBS rifles could possibly be ordered to replace Kalashnikov rifles still in service with certain contingents of the Prison Services.

10 round magazines inserted, with bayonets mounted.

A contingent with 7.62x39mm Kalashnikov rifles.

Glauberyt submachine guns mounted with EOTech reflex sights.

From the Google Translated version of the article–

Within the first of these, the Prison Service is seeking a supplier of 600 sets of 5.56×45 mm caliber rifles. In addition to the price, the warranty period and the date of order completion (20 points) will be assessed. It is planned that the order will be completed by the end of November of this year and applications must be submitted by September 21st.

…

As part of the second tender procedure, the contractor wants to purchase 500 sets of Mossberg Flex 500 Tactical Cruiser rifles or equivalent. Also in this case next to the price will be assessed the delivery date and the guarantee (20 points each). Entrants interested in arms deliveries have time to submit applications by September 21, while the contract is scheduled to be completed by the end of November this year.

The more interesting announcement, however, is with the shotguns. Unbeknownst to me, it appears that the Prison Services actively use 12 Gauge, pump action shotguns, one of the few law enforcement services within all of Europe that does so, in an active capacity. The solicitation specifies for 500 shotguns to be procured, and mentions a Mossberg pistol grip pump action shotgun “or equivalent”. The name in the article is “Mossberg Flex 500 Tactical Cruiser”, which is most likely Mossberg’s FLEX 500 Tactical, available on the companies website. Mossberg does have two dealers in Poland that import the company’s products, one in Tarnobrzeg, and another in Warsaw.

For any readers interested, this is a brief summary of allowed weapons within the Polish Prison Service–

a. Can prison staff hold and use lethal weapons within the prison perimeter?

In general, in Poland, prison staff may not hold or use lethal weapons within the prison perimeter. However, it is allowed that the commander of the shift in the following premises may hold weapons: guardhouse, sluice of prison entry and safety zone. Prison officers serving on the perimeter security may also hold weapons.

The equipment of Prison Service, among others, consists of: firearms, hand grenades, chemical weapons, tear gas and missile launchers. Weapons that incapacitate with electrical current are not available.

If it is necessary to use measures of direct coercion, appointed prison officers may hold firearms during a specific time and at a specific place in order to apply measures mentioned above.