NCJ Number
201513
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 65 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2003 Pages: 50-52
Date Published
July 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the Controlled Access Tracking System (CATS), designed to manage the movement of people entering and exiting facilities.
Abstract
Recently, a number of changes have made it difficult for the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) to quickly track the movement of the 3,500 staff and contractors. It is important that prison administrators know exactly who is inside the secure perimeter of the correctional facility so that they can coordinate an emergency response and rescue those that may be trapped, injured, or held hostage within the facility. CATS uses a proximity/ID card and a biometric fingerprint device. The cards contain tiny microchips. Information unique to each cardholder is recorded on the microchip. The DOC’s present network software organizes data into object groups. Digital photographs of personnel, the fingerprint biometric data, and the data from the proximity/ID card are all object groups. When the individual presents his or her credentials, network servers compare the associated object groups with the credentials and display the results to the control station officer. The officer uses the fingerprint biometric and photograph to authorize entrance to or exit from the facility. There were concerns that this system would constitute an additional layer of staff monitoring for attendance, breaks, tardiness, and work habits. But employees have embraced the system and acknowledge that it enhances their safety and well being. To date, the proximity card portion of the test has worked flawlessly. The many advantages of using the CATS are being realized, such as visiting records, offender movement, and tracking visitor and volunteer schedules.