NCJ Number
157017
Date Published
1995
Length
78 pages
Annotation
This report contains the results of a survey of technology issues in the Nation's largest local jails and jail systems, Federal and State adult prison systems, and State and local agencies that provide adult probation and parole supervision.
Abstract
Data were obtained in two categories; Security and Nonsecurity Technologies. The first category includes perimeter security; internal monitoring and surveillance; identification and access control; drug interdiction; contraband detection; security communications; and less-than-lethal weapons. Nonsecurity technologies include electronic monitoring of offenders in the community; nonsecurity communications; information linkage with sources outside the agency; staff development; and offender education and training. Study data indicate that the technologies with the highest user evaluations include: (1) magnetic card systems for identification and access control in jails; (2) X-ray systems for contraband detection in jails; (3) automatic personal distress alarms in adult prison systems; and (4) distance technology for offender education and training in adult prison systems. Technologies dropped from use include: (1) video surveillance; (2) electronic monitoring; (3) self-contained urinalysis drug detection; and (4) perimeter microwave. The report includes agency suggestions for improving technologies, including increasing durability of systems and capacity to interface with other systems. Unmet technology needs include information storage and retrieval, weapons detection, and voice technology that would allow probationers with limited literacy skills to interact more effectively with computers. Appendixes