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 Institutional Corrections Technology Newsletter
May, 2009
A program of the Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice
In This Issue
NIJ News
Cell Phone Issues
Green Technology
Information Technology
Perimeter Security
Video Teleconferencing
General
Quick Links & Contact Info
 
 
Phone: 1-800-416-8086
Other Informative Websites
 
Dear , 

The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) was created in 1994 as a component of the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ's) Office of Science and Technology.  NLECTC serves as an "honest broker" offering support, research findings, and technological expertise to help State and local law enforcement and corrections personnel perform their duties more safely and efficiently. 

NLECTC has created this electronic newsletter to keep institutional corrections professionals informed about technology developments and how technology is being used by the field to enhance mission performance.  We hope that you find this information useful.
National Institute of Justice News
 
NewsTechnology Institute for Corrections
NIJ's annual Technology Institute for Corrections is designed for corrections managers to learn about and discuss technology initiatives and issues affecting the corrections community.
 
During the week-long institute, attendees will receive and exchange information about existing and developing technologies, problem-solving relating to technology implementation, and technology lessons learned. Attendees also will participate in briefings and demonstrations at various locations in the Baltimore, Md., area.
 
There is no registration cost and all travel, food, and lodging expenses are paid by NIJ. However, attendance is limited to 25 mid-level managers from state and local corrections and community corrections agencies who are involved with technology and technology initiatives within their departments.
 
The deadline for submitting an application is July 31, 2009. For more information and to register please visit:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/training/corrections-institute.htm

Cell Phone Issues
 
No cell
According to the Baltimore Sun, a contraband cell phone
planted by law enforcement and corrections officials in a
Maryland prison was used to record inmate conversations, uncovering multiple crimes.  Click here.
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According to this Associated Press article, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley said he would consider going against federal law to hold a cell-phone jamming demonstration at a Maryland prison to help stop illegal cell phone use by
prison inmates, but he hopes that won't be necessary.  Click here.
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According to this article that appeared in the Palestine Herald, a number of states are prosecuting inmates found in possession of cell phones. 
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A number of states are prosecuting inmates found in possession of cell phones.  According to this article that appeared in the Palestine Herald  a Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmate was recently sentenced to 60 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of possessing a cell phone in a correctional facility.
 
In Virginia, an inmate was sentenced to 90 days in prison for a similar offense.  Click here for the article that appeared in Powhatan Today.

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One of the approaches to combating smuggled cell phones is to use technology to locate these devices within the institution.  An article appearing in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, describes the Cell Hound cell phone detection technology by ITT.  Click here.
 
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In an effort to curb the flow of smuggled cell phones, many states are exploring the possibility of training canines to detect these devices.  Click here for an article that appeared online at www.News10 that describes the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation initiative and here for an article appearing in the Philadelphia Daily News on the Philadelphia Prison System program.
 
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This Corrections.com feature focuses on "Cell Phones: The New Contraband."  Click here.
 
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This Baltimore Sun article provides a good description of the tensions between corrections departments' desire to test cell phone jamming technology and the resistance from the wireless communication industry (CTIA).  Click here.

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California prison officers report that more than 2,800 cell phones were found on inmates or hidden around the facilities last year; double the number confiscated the year before.  In an attempt to curb the problem, the state Senate is expected to pass a law that will make it a crime for prison inmates to possess cell phones or for people to smuggle them into prisons.  Click here for the article that appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Green Technology
 
green technologyThe "Greening" of correctional facilities is gaining national attention.  Click here for an article that appeared in The New York Times on some of the initiatives going on around the country.

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According to a press release, NORESCO, a national leader in energy savings, was selected by the Nevada Department of Corrections to implement a guaranteed energy savings agreement worth $14.0 million.  Structured as a performance contract, the project will enable the state of Nevada, at no upfront cost to taxpayers, to implement facility improvements at four sites. 

The key savings drivers for the project are lighting system upgrades, new building control systems, retro-commission existing building automation systems and completion of a well water heat exchange piping loop.
Click here for the press release.
 
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According to this article appearing in the Canton Rep, Stark County, Ohio officials are considering a plan to use Biomass fuels to reduce the jail complex's heating expenses.  Click here.
 
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According to this article in the New Haven Register, the Connecticut Department of Corrections is exploring alternative energy sources such as hydrogen power fuel cells and wind power turbines for use at prison facilities.  Click here.
Information Technology
 
According to this article appearing in the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas County jail is beginning a huge overhaul of its inmate management system.  Click here
 
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According to this press release, EDS, a Hewlett-Packard company, recently announced a $245 million, 4.5-year agreement with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to transform the agency into a digital environment by automating manual business processes to improve productivity, accuracy and, ultimately, enhance staff, public and offender safety.
Perimeter Security
 
CameraA prison in Indiana is boosting security as a result of the escape of three inmates earlier this year.  A state fiscal panel recently released $950,000 in funding to upgrade the Branchville Correctional Facility's perimeter fence from chain-link to a stun fence, a move officials hope will keep prisoners away from the perimeter.  Click here for the article that appeared in the Evansville Courier-Press.
Video Teleconferencing
 
This article appearing online at Stateline.org discusses the expanding use of video teleconferencing in prisons throughout the country.  While not new, experts say the recession could drive more states to consider it. Many of those that already rely on telemedicine, meanwhile, are using it for a wider range of purposes such as telepsychiatry, arraignment and visitation.  Click here.
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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently approved a one-year video-conferencing pilot for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department to reduce inmate movement for court appearances and visiting purposes.  Click here for the article that appeared in The Signal.
General
 
Corrections.com logo
Click here for a Corrections.com feature entitled:  "Technology and the Human Factor in Corrections."
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Click here for a Corrections.com feature entitled:  "Prison Security Extends Beyond Concrete Walls and Steel Bars."

Thank you for reading and sharing the latest technology news with your colleagues.  Please contact us if we can ever be of assistance.

Joe Russo
Assistant Director, NLECTC- Rocky Mountain

This project was supported by Cooperative Agreement No. 2005-IJ-CX-K001; awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice.