Use Of Technology In Correctional Facilities

Introduction

Technology has immensely been incorporated in almost every aspect of the contemporary human society, thanks to the enhanced efficiency and effectiveness for which it allows. Indeed, correctional facilities have not been left behind, with technology promising to play an immense role in enhancing the security and efficiency in the facilities. Currently, technology has been used in the development of puncture-resistant vests that ensure the safety of the correctional staff (Seiter, 2011). In addition, telemedicine has allowed off-site medical professionals make routine decisions pertaining to the care of prisoners using closed-circuit television, thereby lowering healthcare costs for prisons. In addition, biometric access tools have replaced grease pencils and phones used to track inmates at the Navy Brig (Carlson & Garrett, 2008). This system has enhanced the capacity to find inmates that violate prison rules and reduced routine communication between officers, unlike the old system. In addition, the National Institute of Justice has examined the utilization of automated telephone abuse monitoring systems with voice recognition alongside other checks (Seiter, 2011). This would allow for the prevention of illegal activities undertake via phone calls in correctional facilities.

The security of inmates is also an issue in correctional facilities. Mapping tools would assist in prison management through tracking medical information, disciplinary incidents and visitation patterns, identifying inmates’ personal information and managing escape and gang threats (Seiter, 2011). In this regard, CORMAP technology may be used in the future to identify inmates’ locations and incidents. It instantaneously displays all inmates’ information including incident patterns, security vulnerabilities, as well as weapons used, thereby safeguarding the security of both inmates and officers (Carlson & Garrett, 2008).

While technology comes with these benefits, it also introduces the problem of complexity of usage, especially considering that a large number of staff members are not conversant with the technological advancements (Carlson & Garrett, 2008). On the same note, there are issues pertaining to the cost and fact that a large number of these technologies are seen as substituting the staff.

References

Seiter, R. P. (2011). Corrections: An introduction (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Carlson, P. M., & Garrett, J. S. (2008). Prison and jail administration: Practice and theory. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Pub.