Rehabilitation is the re-integration into society of a convicted person and the main objective of modern penal policy, to counter habitual offending, also known as criminal recidivism. Alternatives to imprisonment also exist, such as community service, probation orders, and others entailing guidance and aftercare towards the offender. A successful rehabilitation of a prisoner is also helped if convicted persons: 1. are not placed in health-threateningly bad conditions, enjoy access to medical care and are protected from other forms of serious ill-treatment, 2. are able to maintain ties to the outside world 3. learn new skills to assist them with working life on the outside 4. enjoy clear and detailed statutory regulations clarifying the safeguards applicable and governing the use and disposal of any record of data relating to criminal matters.