Welcome to the November, 2013 issue of the Corrections Technology Center of Excellence monthly Newsletter.
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Cell Phones/Inmate Telephone Issues
According to the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Gwinnett County Jail in Georgia has recently begun using ultra-sensitive metal detectors designed to detect cell phones. Although the report indicates that the jail is not having a problem with cell phones it is seeking to stay ahead of the curve by utilizing all available technology. The jail also uses regular metal detectors and a body scan system.
This article appearing in the Cayman Free Press describes the problems the Cayman Islands has been having with cell phone jamming equipment. A system installed in a prison in 2009 has never worked properly. The U.K.'s National Offender Management Service has cautioned that long-term independent verification of cell phone jamming systems is often difficult to obtain.
Two convicted murderers in Florida were recently able to gain release by forging court documents. CNN reports that a contraband cell phone may have facilitated the scheme.
According to this report from RTV6, inmates in Indiana prisons are increasingly using contraband cell phones to harass citizens including victims of stalking and violent crimes such as rape.
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Electronic Monitoring
A tracked offender has been linked to 15 home burglaries in Colorado according to this CBSNews report. GPS evidence from the offender's ankle bracelet put him at the time and place of each crime.
WFMY News reports that GPS location points have put two tracked gang members at the scene of a shooting in North Carolina. The gang members were on bond as a result of previous charges and police believe the intended targets were members of an opposing gang.
The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole is now using GPS technology to monitor offenders. The Herald Online reports that the Board has explored the use of GPS for some time before implementation. Approximately 50 offenders are now on GPS monitoring.
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Information Technology
The National Institute of Justice recently funded an evaluation of the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) Program. Click here to view the final report.
An inmate at the Blair County Prison in Pennsylvania is accused of hacking a computer in the law library to send a series of threats. A bomb threat forced the evacuation of the county courthouse and another threat indicated that the local water supply was contaminated. WJAC-TV reports that law enforcement officials believe the inmate had previous high level computer training which gave him the ability to manipulate the system.
According to this report appearing online on THV11 News, the Arkansas Department of Community Corrections Arkansas now has 60 automated reporting kiosks in 41 parole offices across the state. Instead of meeting face-to-face with an officer, low-risk offenders will be able to check in, pay fines and even receive messages through the machines.
The Daily Mail reports that the United Kingdom is proposing tough restrictions on those accused of sex crimes. Under the new regime anyone charged with a sex crime and deemed to pose a risk of sexual harm could be banned from Internet use.
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Biometrics
According to Government Technology, the Department of Homeland Security has started a program that will test the accuracy of various off-the-shelf facial recognition platforms.
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Miscellaneous
According to this report in the Southern Illinoisan, county jails are increasingly allowing inmates to purchase and use electronic cigarettes. The nicotine-infused vapor inhalers are thought to reduce the volume of smuggled tobacco while providing more revenue for the jail.
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