RIOTS PLAGUE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM AS VIRUS SPREADS

The latest equipment can limit outbreaks and protect staff and inmates in duress.

ONEin five inmates at state and federal prisons have tested positive for the coronavirus; this is four times the rate of the general population. But even that may not be true picture. Homer Venters, former chief medical officer at New York’s Rikers Island complex says, “that number is a vast undercount.” The Marshall Project and the Associated Press have reported that in some states more than half the prison population is infected. Inmates remain vulnerable and many facilities report a lack of proper protective equipment.

Correctional facilities are susceptible to COVID-19 outbreaks due to issues of overpopulation in the corrections system, and the fact that these institutions are designed for confinement rather than social distancing. According to an article by the Guardian, riots and civil unrest have broken out amidst inmate fears of being infected with the virus. Last year officers at a Washington State Penitentiary fired non-lethal pellets and used pepper spray to break up a riot of more than 100 inmates that resulted from six inmates testing positive. At the Lansing Corrections Facility in Kansas, prisoners ransacked offices, broke windows, and set small fires for several hours because of a COVID-19 outbreak. These uprisings are a fraction of the nationwide prison riots that have resulted from the spread of the coronavirus. Proper protective gear and robust disinfectant supplies, as well as strong policies, can help keep prison populations and staff safe.

Riot Gear

The Traverse overt patrol vest by Armor Express has a front zipper designed for easy donning and doffing. It is available in MOLLE, half-MOLLE, and non-MOLLE. MOLLE consists of heavy-duty nylon stitched in rows that enable the attachment of various pouches and tools. This allows for the weight of tools to be evenly distributed in contrast to traditional belts that can be physically demanding on an officer’s hips and lower back. The Traverse has a heavy-duty outer shell and internal plate pockets that can accommodate stab and spike plate inserts for additional pro-

tection. The vest has mesh in key friction zones, ambidextrous pockets, and diminished grab points.

A large sheriff’s office in Michigan has used the Traverse for three years in its corrections unit. The vests are equipped with the Taurus Spike 2 panel insert which provides the team with essential puncture protection from shanks and spikes. According to Dionne Manchester, SVP, media relations, for Armor Express, “the officers have indicated that the Traverse gives them more peace of mind; they don’t have to worry about their protection.” Adam Spinniken, marketing@ armorexpress.com, 202.920.0800, www.armorexpress.com

Damascus Gear Riot and Disturbance Control Shields offer state-of-the-art protection. The ergonomic handles and breakaway straps are dielectric (insulated) and prevent electricity from passing through.

The handles can be reversed for ambidextrous use, and the wide nylon arm straps can be easily adjusted while in use. Damascus shields are transparent and of high optical quality. The DRS10 Riot and Disturbance Control Interlocking Shield can be used to configure a solid barrier with surrounding team members. Damascus engineers non-ballistic personal protective gear, and they report using only the highest-grade materials to deliver consistent and trusted protection. 1.800.451.4167 customercare@damascusgear.com www.DamascusGear.com

Body Cameras and Identification Cameras

Police and corrections officers are increasingly under critical review. Body cameras can provide the necessary physical evidence for an officer to defend him- or herself. Furthermore, the presence of a body camera can significantly impact the behavior of an individual. For inmates and officers alike, body cameras disincentivize misconduct.

Command Sourcing Inc.’s Halo Body Camera offers unique fea-

tures including 1440p and a continuous recording time of up to 16 hours. The camera is outfitted with redaction software that is user friendly. It has a “panic button” and the ability to start recording 30 seconds prior to initiation. The Halo is said to be durable and comes with a warranty that lasts the duration of the contract; training and support are also available. The camera automatically downloads when the unit is placed in the charging cradle. Jack McLaughlin, jack@commandsourcing.com, 650.318.8877, commandsourcing.com

Reveal’s D Series body cameras have a front-facing screen, which maximizes transparency with inmates, and has been proven to have a calming effect. The camera can play back video in the field without the need for a smartphone or PC. The D Series has an articulated head that allows it to be worn in various places on people of all shapes and sizes. It can also be used in a vehicle and as an interview recorder or handheld camera. In

addition, Reveal offers DEMS 360, an advanced digital evidence management solution compatible with all media types.

A recent testimonial by a customer states that their American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) case was dismissed thanks to a Reveal body camera’s footage. Steve Venable, salesusa@revealmedia.com, 888.269.9924, www.revealmedia.com

The BWC4000 by Panasonic iPro features a swappable battery with up 12 hours of battery life. It has an easy-to-read LCD status screen, an enhanced field of view, and 1080p HD resolution. The body-worn camera has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, onboard GPS, H.264, and H.265 compression. It has an IP67 environmental rating and MIL-STD 810H military-grade design. According to Rob Thompkins, Panasonic i-Pro national sales manager, “bodyworn cameras document realtime interactions between corrections officers and inmates, as well as guests. This provides liability protection and documentation of events and incidents as they happen. These devices have become increasingly important tools for all law enforcement and corrections personnel.” Lisa Cayce, lisa.cayce@us.panasonic.com, 224.230.1073, i-PRO.com/BWC4000

EyeLock LLC provides iris-based identity authentication solutions. The nano iXT iris recognition reader can both detect the presence of a mask and check a per-

son’s temperature. Based on these assessments it can conditionally deny access to anyone that poses a risk. The mask detection feature is enabled when the iTemp temperature screening module is used in combination with the nano iXT. Jeff Carter, EyeLock’s CEO, states that “when used in conjunction with the optional iTemp module, the nano iXT equips companies with a reliable, highly accurate tool that helps create the safest possible working environment for their employees, customers, and visiting parties.” Caitlin Marinaro,

CMarinaro@voxxintl.com, eyelock.com

Disinfectant Systems and Disinfectants

being embraced by police stations and correctional facilities across the nation. It uses pulsed xenon (an inert gas) to create a broad spectrum of UV light (200-315 nm), unlike older UV technologies, which utilize mercury bulbs to produce narrow spectrum UV light. Broad-spectrum UV light is beneficial for two reasons: firstly, different pathogens are susceptible to varying wavelengths of UV light, and secondly, it is less damaging to materials and surfaces.

The LightStrike robot is proven to destroy SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in two minutes as tested by the Texas Biomedical Research Institute in a BioSafety Level 4 Lab. The robot’s efficacy has been validated by more than 40 peer-reviewed and published scientific studies. LightStrike quickly and efficiently disinfects every surface in a room, decreasing the risk of infection for inmates and officers. The robot has been used to disinfect cells, cafeterias, offices, holding areas, conference rooms, restrooms, elevators, and equipment. One LightStrike robot can disinfect dozens of rooms and areas per day without leaving behind any chemical residue. 800.553.0069, www.xenex.com

The Halo Disinfection system combines Halosil’s HaloMist disinfectant with the HaloFogger to create a dry-mist fog that kills 99.9999 percent of infectious agents. The system can cover an entire room and kill pathogens on every surface without wetting surfaces or damaging them. The unit is touchless; this reduces

labor and the potential for the applicator to be exposed to disinfectant chemicals. The mist consists of a hydrogen peroxide and silver mixture that provides reliable and repeatable disinfection. HaloMist meets EPA guidelines for effective disinfection against the coronavirus and it has been added to the EPA’s List N of solutions. It is also registered to eliminate other hard-to-kill pathogens.

Correctional facilities are deploying the system throughout their facilities and are increasingly relying on whole-room disinfection systems to eliminate pathogens and prevent the spread of infectious diseases in high-density corrections populations. Hawaii Correctional Industries has adopted the Halo Disinfection System to disinfect inmate housing, their infirmaries, and public access areas. Montana and Delaware’s correctional systems are currently treating facilities and vehicles with Halo Disinfection Systems. info@halosil.com, 302.454.8102, www.halosil.com

TRI-CHEM’s BioShield 75 is a patented organic antimicrobial technology that can be applied to any surface by spraying, wiping, fogging, or immersion. It forms an invisible, odorless, and durable layer of biostatic surface protection. Studies have shown that BioShield 75 is effective for up to 90 days from application, unlike traditional technologies that are no longer effective after they evaporate or are rinsed off.

BioShield 75 is non-toxic, nonleaching and does not contain heavy metals, such as silver, zinc, or tin. It has been proven efficacious by widely-recognized testing methods and verified effective by independent studies conducted at the University of Minnesota. It is approved by the EPA for use on food contact surfaces, and it is effective against a variety of bacteria, fungi, and yeast.

TRI-CHEM also produces disinfectant wipes. Their WipesPlus disinfecting wipes kill the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and they are on the EPA’s List N. They are independently lab certified to quickly disinfect; they are lint-free and highly absorbent. Their formula is water-based and is safe to use on plastics, laminates, metals, plexiglass and rubber surfaces. info@trichem.com, 800.456.6255, trichem.com

Bob Barker’s Aqua ChemPac Disinfectant Kit meets the EPA’s criteria for combating the spread of COVID-19. It comes with 40 dissolvable packs of disinfectant, four spray bottles, and four microfiber cloths. The dissolvable packs are safe and easy to use; they are concentrated so they don’t take up storage space. Concentrating the product also has environmental benefits: the company saves thousands of gallons of gasoline and eliminates excessive use of plastic by concentrating the formula.

Erin Howell, product management lead, erinhowell@bobbarker.com, 800.334.9880, bobbarker.com

Federal Supplies LavenderScented Alcohol-free Hand Sanitizer comes in two- or eightounce bottles that are equipped with a foam pump. Hand sanitizer is a viable alternative to soap and water since they are not always available in prisons. Having hand sanitizer at the ready can reduce the presence of bacteria and viruses like COVID19 that cause disease. In corrections, products that are not alcohol-based are essential. Federal Supply uses a benzalkonium chloride formula sanitizer for this very reason, which eliminates the risk of inmates turning it into contraband or “hooch.” info@federalsupply.com, 847.623.1310, federalsupply.com

In Conclusion

Keeping inmates and staff safe during the pandemic will require a multi-pronged approach. Having the proper equipment to secure facilities during riots as well as to safeguard against outbreaks will be crucial in the months to come. In addition, prioritizing both those incarcerated and those who serve for a jab in the arm will surely help to keep both inmates and staff healthy and safe as well as assist in the recovery of surrounding communities. ✪