NCJ Number
201515
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 65 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2003 Pages: 58-60
Date Published
July 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the California Department of Corrections (CDC) Technology Transfer Committee (TTC), established to adopt technological know-how to specific departmental needs.
Abstract
The TTC was instituted to plan, design, and work out efficient and effective processes and technologies, and bring about standardization in the prison-security arrangements and methods. It surveys, selects, modifies, tests, and recommends new technological devices and techniques for the prison system. The TTC is comprised of the assistance deputy director of the CDC Institutions Division, three regional administrators from the Institution Division, five field wardens, deputy director of the CDC Parole and Community Services Division, Executive officer, Chief of the Office of Telecommunications, and law enforcement liaison. Prison administration cannot be very innovative and is slow to adapt to changing social and prison environments. The CDC was motivated to optimize the allocation of its resources to manage a diverse and growing population and the growing public and legislative pressure to be more efficient and effective. A challenge is that with the introduction of new transformational technologies, there are often changes in the management and work practices and routines, which require suitable training programs to overcome resistance to change. Although a number of goals have been achieved with various technologies, the most significant achievement has been the adoption and acceptance of the technology transfer process. Technologies selected by the CDC, which have enhanced the security of the institutional facilities, staff, and inmates include perimeter security fence, inmate telephone monitoring systems, escape-prevention equipment, and biometrics.