Correctional facilities are an essential part of the community and government operations as they keep criminals behind bars. You can imagine the consequences of letting dangerous elements loose because they can risk public safety. Putting them behind bars does more than promote safety. It also sets an example for the public and dissuades people from breaking the law.
While jails keep the criminal justice system on track, running them is easier said than done. Statistics show that American jails house nearly two million people at any given time. The country also has the highest incarceration rate in the world. The most challenging part is that many inmates are violent criminals who may try to escape or harm others.
The government needs to go the extra mile to ensure proper management and safety of jails and inmates. Nearly 39,260 people work in correctional facilities as of now. But are they enough to keep things running smoothly? Even a huge force can fall short during a violent event. Jail employees may also struggle to manage day-to-day tasks.
Fortunately, technology can simplify jail management in more than one way. Let us highlight how law enforcement innovation can improve the system.
Inmate Tracking and Monitoring
If your facility relies on a paper-based tracking system, things may go haywire at some point. The sooner you switch to a cloud-based inmate tracking system, the better because it can give you a head start with facility management, security, and compliance with state mandates. You know where every inmate is, whether you have 50 or 500 of them on site.
According to JailCore, prison technology can simplify and streamline daily cell checks, headcounts, inmate interactions, and location changes. You know exactly where every inmate is in real-time, which helps with reporting and creates a transparent system.
Automated Operations
Besides facilitating inmate tracking, apps can help with the automation of operations such as security checks and documentation for visitors. It reduces the workload of the jail staff and prevents unnecessary friction.
Workflow solutions are great for handling the daily workflow of the facility. Combining them with analytics can help you detect anomalies and address them with timely and appropriate action. For example, the system can trigger alarms for dispatching guards to a specific area if a group of inmates exceeds a certain number.
Enhanced Perimeter and Gate Security
Did you know that 2,231 inmates escaped from American state or federal prisons in 2019 alone? The numbers aren’t slowing down, despite the best safety arrangements in these facilities. Technology can help in curbing the attempts to breach prison walls with enhanced perimeter and gate security.
Perimeter detection systems leverage movement sensors, thermal cameras, access control, and mapping to tackle the risk of jailbreaks. Virtual tripwires can be used to create invisible air perimeters. Drones are already in use for perimeter patrols. These arrangements can dissuade rogue prisoners and prevent them from attempting escape in the first place.
Body Scanners
Another technology to secure correctional facilities is body scanning. Jails can rely on body scanners to detect weapons and dangerous objects with prisoners and visitors. Keeping these objects out can prevent violent and dangerous events in the facility.
Scanners should be set up at prison entrances and exit to facilitate non-invasive visitor screening. They add an extra layer of security to the physical checks because guards may miss out on small objects like blades and knives. But scanners detect everything, regardless of size.
Fire Evacuation
Jail safety is not only about preventing outbreaks and attacks within the boundaries of the facility. It is also about protecting prisoners and employees from threats like fire. Technology can help in this context. Integrating alarms with access control can help with fire containment and evacuation routes.
You can use advanced systems to trigger emergency lighting and announcements. The system can also provide real-time instructions for surveillance teams with live camera footage of the fire’s location. It helps you give appropriate directions to prisoners, staff, and first responders. The system can minimize injuries and casualties.
What Next
Innovation can empower jails with safe and modern systems. But how do you implement these technologies and processes and make the most of them? It is easier than you imagine because apps and solutions bring technology to your fingertips.
You only need to find the right ones to address your challenges and pain points. Look for intuitive, easy-to-use solutions that do not burn a hole in your wallet. They are worth spending on, even if you have to invest a bit.
