NCJ Number
185136
Journal
Corrections Technology and Management Volume: 4 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2000 Pages: 30-32
Date Published
2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
With funding from the National Institute of Justice, experts from the Federal Government's Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) are teaching prison officials how to perform a vulnerability analysis in the interest of improving prison security.
Abstract
SNL has vast experience in designing security systems for the Nation's nuclear materials and weapons as well as for schools. The SNL has also evaluated several correctional facilities in Pennsylvania and Texas, as well as the blueprints for a Nebraska prison and a Michigan jail. SNL focuses on identifying potential security weaknesses in the correctional facilities and offering recommendations to correct them. Probably of greatest value to prison administrators is the SNL document entitled, "Guidelines for Preparing a Vulnerability Analysis for Correctional Facilities." This document presents a detailed methodology that corrections officials can use to conduct their own vulnerability analyses. It provides correctional facility administrators with a tool for making critical decisions to ensure the safety of the public, the facility, the staff, and inmates. In addition to identifying security weaknesses and subsequent solutions, a comprehensive vulnerability analysis can be used when preparing budgets, making personnel allocations, establishing policies and procedures, and determining the need for equipment upgrades. The SNL vulnerability analysis includes a detailed characterization of the facility and its operation; identification of potential threats and security targets; definition of security system objectives; complete identification of existing physical protection system elements; and an analysis of the effectiveness of the security system, including identifying any deficiencies.