September / October 18

Page 1

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 VOL. 27 NO. 5

CHANGING THE HEALTH CARE FRAMEWORK PROTECTIVE GEAR

MEETING UP

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

69 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755

Corrections Forum

NEW VIDEO TECHNOLOGIES



CORRECTIONS

FORUM

Publisher & Executive Editor

Thomas S. Kapinos Assistant Publisher

Jennifer A. Kapinos

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

Associate Publishers Art Sylvie Peggy Virgadamo (480) 816-3448 asylvie@cox.net

(718) 456-7329 pegpaulv@aol.com

West

4 14 20 26 32 36 40 46

The Pulse

Northeast Central U.S. Sales Managers Bonnie Dodson (828) 479-7472

Editor-in-Chief

Donna Rogers

Reframing Services for the Seriously Mentally Ill

Contributing Editors Michael Grohs, Kelly Mason, Bill Schiffner, G.F. Guercio Art Director

Jamie Stroud

National Commission on Correctional Health Care Conference Products & Services

Meeting Up: New Video Visits For On-premise or Off

CORRECTIONS FORUM

(ISSN10729275) is published bi-monthly by: Criminal Justice Media, Inc 565 Pier Avenue PO Box 213 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 (310) 374-2700 Send address changes to:

CORRECTIONS FORUM

Protective Gear for COs

2018 ACA New Product Showcase

Subscription Department 69 Lyme Rd. Hanover, NH 03755 (603) 643-6551 Subscriptions: Annual subscriptions for non-qualified personnel, United States only, is $60.00. Single copy or back issues - $10.00 All Canada and Foreign subscriptions are $90.00 per year. Free digital “issues” are available for qualified Canadian and Foreign Subscribers — Go to www.correctionsforum.net

Neutralizing High-Risk Transports

Ad Index

FRONT COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF GTL

Printed in the United States of America, Copyright © 2018 Criminal Justice Media, Inc.

Main Offices 565 Pier Avenue PO Box 213 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 (310) 374-2700


LANDMARK BILL ELIMINATES CASH BAIL IN CALIF. California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a landmark criminal justice bill into law in August, making the state the first to abolish cash bail and transitioning toward a system that gives judges discretion to decide who can go home and who must stay in jail pending trial, according to The Washington Post. Rather than having to buy their release through a bail bondsman or with cash, people will now be released on their own recognizance or under supervision conditions, unless a judge decides they pose a public safety threat and should stay detained.

4 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

“A person’s checking account balance should never determine how they are treated under the law,” California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a statement to The Post. “Cash bail criminalizes poverty, and with Gov. Brown’s signature today, California has opened the door to pursue and perfect a just pretrial system.” The move comes amid a nationwide push from bipartisan criminal justice groups to overhaul an inequitable bail system that critics say favors the wealthy and punishes the poor while clogging local jails with people yet to be convicted of a crime. Yet various criminal justice re-

form groups withdrew their support, fearing the bill would actually lead to an increase in pretrial incarceration because of judges’ generous discretion to decide who is a public safety threat or a flight risk. These criminal-justice groups fear lawmakers replaced one inequitable system for another, this time plagued by preventive detention rather than poverty. Among those in opposition include the American Civil Liberties Union and Civil Rights Corps. The new law, which goes into effect in October 2019, would get rid of the bail schedule completely, aiming to individualize decisions about pretrial release. People

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET



charged with certain misdemeanors would be released within 12 hours of booking without seeing a judge, while the rest would undergo what’s called a risk assessment, using an algorithm that would consider a number of factors about the person’s history. People who are deemed lowand medium-risk will mostly be released on their own recognizance or under supervision conditions. High-risk people, however, won’t get the same opportunity. Instead, they will remain detained until a hearing before a judge, who will decide whether to continue detaining the person based on several factors, such as the offender’s criminal history, whether the of-

6 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

fense is violent and whether the person has repeatedly failed to appear in the past. This is the part some supporters of an overhaul fear has led the new law astray: How will judges decide who poses a “high risk?” The concern among critics is that too many people may end up unfairly classified as “high-risk” and detained based on subjective criteria and, crucially, that too many racial minorities will be classified this way. Risk assessment tests can be tricky, the article furthers. They involve educated guesses about the likelihood a person will fail to show up for court or commit a new offense. But critics have said they can

be biased against racial minorities or poor people, depending on what test is administered. For example, sometimes the tests consider people’s neighborhoods, employment or other personal factors, potentially penalizing those coming from low-income situations. Alec Karakatsanis, executive director of Civil Rights Corps, told The Washington Post that defendants who are ordered detained may feel pressure to plead guilty to get out of jail quicker, rather than wait until trial to fight their cases —the same issue Civil Rights Corps has criticized within the money bail system. This approach is not the reform of our bail system that we

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET



needed,” Karakatsanis said. “It replaces detention based on poverty with detention based on an algorithm. Most importantly, it could reproduce the business-as-usual assembly line guilty plea factory that defines contemporary American criminal courts.” Lawmakers, by contrast, have said the law prioritizes public safety in a way that takes money out of the equation. Those who are ordered detained will still have opportunities to argue for their release with attorneys at detention hearings. The Los Angeles Times reported that the new bail system’s impact on the criminal justice system will undergo an independent review by 2023.

8 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

INDIANA IS PREPARING INMATES WITH SKILLS FOR IN-DEMAND JOBS As Indiana's unemployment rate nears record low levels, the state is helping businesses desperate for workers by providing skills training to an unlikely group of Hoosiers that soon will be available to fill high-demand jobs— prisoners, according to nwi.com. Across the state, more than 800 convicted felons still serving time are enrolled in academic and vocational programs that have the dual purpose of preparing inmates to establish themselves in their communities on release, and ensuring businesses can find qualified employees for vacant positions. Manufacturing and logistics

skills training are the most popular programs behind bars, according to the Indiana Department of Correction. That's largely due to the Hoosier State's having the highest share of manufacturing jobs in the nation, and numerous Indiana manufacturing operations regularly announcing their urgent need for additional employees to maintain or expand their businesses. But through IDOC partnerships with local colleges, Indiana prisoners also are earning industry-recognized credentials in welding, computer coding, carpentry, culinary arts, cosmetology, building trades, horticulture, automotive technology and even coal mining.

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET







BY DONNA ROGERS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Intersection of SMI & Criminal Justice Should a new framework be created for mental health and criminal justice response?

Many mentally ill inmates housed in jail are there on lesser charges, such as criminal trespass or disorderly conduct. They get caught up in the slow process and get “stuck” in the system.

unprecedented number of people who are part of the criminal justice system are diagnosed with mental illness. Some of the most recent research in U.S. jails estimates the rate of serious mental illness (SMI) to be approximately 14% in male inmates and as high as 31% for females (Parsons & Sandwick, 2012; Steadman et al., 2009), compared to 3.2 and 4.9 percent respectively in the general population, according to the Vera Institute of Justice. And, looking at overall SMI and criminal justice involvement,

An

14 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

a meta-analysis of 62 surveys from 12 countries indicates roughly 14% of persons in the criminal justice system suffer from one or more SMI (Fazel & Danesh, 2002). Lack of treatment on the outside has made the criminal justice system a last resort for treatment for many of the individuals that land behind bars. Incarceration has largely replaced hospitalization for thousands of individuals with serious mental illnesses in the U.S., with state prisons and county jails holding as many as 10 times more of these individuals than state psychiatric hospitals,

according to a 2016 study titled Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses in County Jails: A Survey of Jail Staff’s Perspectives by Public Citizen and the Treatment Advocacy Center. Because individuals with serious mental illnesses are predisposed to committing minor crimes due to their illnesses, many end up being detained in county jails with limited or no mental health treatment until a state hospital bed becomes available for them. A serious lack of treatment in the community and then failure to address this influx within the jail has resulted in higher recidivism rates for those caught in the

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET



vicious cycle. Caring for these inmates is also particularly challenging according to law enforcement staff, whom have very limited training in this field. The above County Jail Survey, conducted in 2011, was sent to a total of 230 sheriffs’ departments from 39 states, resulting in a response rate of 40.1%. Respondents’ jail size varied as follows: slightly more than a quarter (27.8%) of these jails were large (averaging 251 or more inmates), 39.6% were medium (averaging 51-250 inmates), 30.9% were small (averaging 50 inmates or fewer). This survey illustrates that where criminal justice and mental health services intersect, our system needs fixing. Some of the key findings are: • Overall, the vast majority (95.7%) of the jails reported having some inmates with serious mental illnesses from September 1, 2010, to August 31, 2011. While 49 (21.3%) reported that 16% or more of their inmate population were seriously mentally ill, more large jails reported having such large proportions of these inmates. Specifically, 31.3% of large, 13.2% of medium and only 4.2% of small jails reported that 16% or more of their inmates were seriously mentally ill. • Almost half of the jails reported that only 2% or less of the initial training they provide to their staff and sheriff’s deputies was allotted to issues specifically dealing with seriously mentally ill inmates, and 60.4% reported that only two hours or less of annual training were allotted to such issues. Despite limited training, about a third of the jails reported that 11% or more of their staff and sheriff’s deputies’ time involved handling seriously mentally ill inmates. • Three-quarters of the jails reported seeing more or far more numbers of seriously mentally ill inmates, compared to five to 10 years ago. In handling seriously mentally ill inmates, staff are met with challenges that strip them of their time, and can lead to resources being skewed toward the one individual. Said one jail respondent: “Mentally-ill inmates at times require constant attention from several staff members and we only have five per shift so at times half of the staff can be dealing with a single inmate with mental issue[s].” Often those with SMI may have only committed a misdemeanor but must wait in jail longer to attain a state psychiatric bed. Another survey respondent said: “Most mentally ill [inmates] we have are here on lesser charges, such as criminal trespass or disorderly conduct. They get caught up in the slow process and we end up housing them a lot longer than normal.” Another added: “…these [seriously mentally ill] inmates are getting ‘stuck’ in the system….”

New Approaches Increasingly, however, those in the criminal justice system are becoming aware that more needs to 16 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET



be done, that a holistic approach works for those who have both mental illness and early criminal justice system involvement. In its publication FirstEpisode Incarceration the Vera Institute of Justice notes that “The over-criminalization of people experiencing mental illness demands new approaches to service that convert a person’s initial contact with the justice system into his or her first step toward long-term mental health.” Vera avows that the focus of evidence-based practices must be expanded beyond linkage with mental health treatment to target other risk factors including antisocial thinking, addiction, stress, housing, employment and education needs. The researchers further: “Front-end, comprehensive, recovery-driven interventions have real potential to disrupt a path of criminal justice involvement. Such interventions envision people as citizens and not only as justice-involved.” It is suggested that plans be made for a new generation of interventions. Says the Vera report: “In response to doubts about the effectiveness of current interventions and evidence of their limitations, researchers across several fields have proposed alternative models that take a more nuanced approach to thinking about the relationship between mental illness and crime. Indeed, the authors further, “scholars proposing next-generation interventions consistently turn

18 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

attention to the fact that effective interventions cannot be limited to mental health services if the strongest predictors of recidivism (such as homelessness and criminal history) appear in people with and without mental illness. For example, one proposal calls for designing interventions guided by a person-place framework that accounts for individual factors including mental illness, addictions, trauma, and established risks for criminal behavior, including such traits as antisocial personality, as well as environmental factors such as social and environmental disadvantage.” They also observe: “This framework suggests that person (individual) and place (environment) risk factors interact to create stress that becomes a catalyst for criminal justice entanglement.” The authors continue: “A second alternative describes the link between mental illness and criminal justice as one of ‘moderated mediation,’ in which the effect of mental illness on criminal behavior is indirect and mediated by more general criminal behavior risk factors such as antisocial history and ‘poorly structured leisure and recreation time.’ People diagnosed with mental illness may have more of these risk factors than people without diagnoses, but general risk factors predict recidivism regardless of mental illness.” Both of these proposed interventions suggest that the focus of evidence-based practices must be expanded beyond linkage with mental health treatment to target other risk factors including antisocial thinking, addiction, and stress. In Envisioning the Next Generation of Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Interventions, a National Institute’s of Health research paper, the authors identified the Monroe County, New York-based Project Link, and Changing Lives and Changing Outcomes, a holistic, manual-based treatment program for people with mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system, as two interventions showing promise in targeting multiple issues. An evaluation of Project Link—which comprises a mobile treatment team including a psychiatrist and nurse practitioner; a dual diagnosis treatment residence; and a team of case advocates (who engage clients and link them to mental health, primary care, residential and social services in the community)—demonstrated significant reductions in arrests, number of incarcerations and hospitalizations, and days spent in jail or the hospital. A preliminary evaluation of Changing Lives and Changing Outcomes, which includes nine therapeutic modules, showed significant reductions in mental health symptoms and distress as well as modest reductions in reactive criminal thinking among a group of incarcerated men. Look for more on these programs in future pages of this publication. ✪ VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET



BY BILL SCHIFFNER, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

NCCHC to Return to the Paris Hotel in Vegas Health care conference to be held October 20-24.

L

as Vegas is said to be one of the brightest places on earth, and all bets are on that it will light up even more when the brightest minds in correctional healthcare convene for five days of education and networking in October, show organizers note. The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) will return to the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas October 20-24. One of NCCHC’s favorite gathering spots, the venue will offer attendees a taste of France within the entertainment capital of the world. In addition to a full slate of pre-conference seminars and 100 concurrent educational sessions, NCCHC conference attendees can visit the exhibit hall to find the latest solutions to improve health services in their facilities. Here are some of the new products and services that will be at the show. 20 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

Electronic Operating System TechCare is NaphCare’s comprehensive electronic operating system. Beyond providing electronic health records (EHR), ONC-certified TechCare is a corrections-specific operational system that automates, standardizes, and enforces proactive inmate

vices. Designed with users in mind by correctional health clinicians, TechCare is versatile, easy to use, and proven. www.techcareehr.com 1.844.849.3211

Pharmacy Services Provider Diamond Pharmacy Services, the nation’s largest correctional pharmacy provider, will have pharmacists from the company’s Drug Information Center as conference seminar presenters. Zane Gray will present “Case Studies in Managing Diabetic Patients” Oct. 23, and will be joined by Nick Jellots for “Pitfalls in Antiretroviral Medication Reconciliation and Prescribing: A Pharmacist

care. It also connects NaphCare, its on-site staff, and its clients in a way that no other system can, providing on-demand, transparent information and communication regarding healthcare serVISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET


Perspective” on Oct. 24. Diamond will also be in the exhibit hall at booths 115 and 113. www.diamondpharmacy.com, 1.800.882.6337

level of innovative care coordination services never before available to large correctional systems. www.centurionmanagedcare.com 1.703.749.4600

Web-based Technology

ID Tracking Solutions

Securus Technologies recognizes that the cost of inmate care is increasing. Through its technology, facilities can increase efficiencies, be cost effective, and provide better health care. Securus EHR is a web-based, solu-

Endur ID builds customizable identity and tracking solutions for detainees and inmates. Endur ID’s Solution includes Secure

MAX Identification Wristbands are produced in color and are water resistant and durable, paired with the Secur Loc clasps for wristband security. Completing the solution is the

tion supporting the medical, dental, and behavior health needs of a facility. Televisit is a lightweight, web-based application that makes telemedicine a practical and readily accessible service. www.securustechnologies.com 1.972.277.0670

Healthcare Services Centurion, LLC is a leading provider of healthcare services to state correctional agencies and serves seven state correctional systems (Florida, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Tennessee, and

Vermont). Founded by two of the oldest and most respected companies in correctional healthcare and managed Medicaid—MHM Services, Inc. and Centene Corporation—Centurion brings a VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET

CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 21


IDMX Identification management software designed to manage and produce identification bands as well the Secure Trak Bar Coded Tracking Solutions to track and record detainees activities within the facility using handheld scanners. www.endurid.com 1.866.372.6585

Telehealth Services Wexford Health uses telehealth to provide clients with reduced transportation costs as well as increased availability of patient care. They ensure care provided via telehealth is equivalent to services provided in person. Its tele-providers are not mere consultants, but an integral part of Wexford Health’s—and

their clients’—treatment teams. Wexford Health’s telehealth program addresses all areas vital to patients having positive outcomes: medical, psychological, social and environmental. www.wexfordhealth.com 1.888.633.6468

Correctional Eyecare Since 1983 Institutional Eye Care has pioneered on-site vision services to correctional facilities, jails, prisons, and other institutional settings across the country. For 33 years they have been the nation’s leading supplier of onsite optometry, eyeglasses and other vision services to corrections currently servicing over 1,000 facilities in 44 states. The company’s most recent initiative, On Site Ocular Health Management provided primarily to state and federal venues, has virtually eliminated all off-site ophthalmology trips for the medical management of routine glaucoma and reduced off-site trips for certain other eye diseases. www.institutionaleyecare.com 1.866.604.2931 22 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

Oral Care As systems and facilities are confronting the growing cost of healthcare, poor oral health has been identified as a significant contributor to the declining overall health status of many inmates. Many new initiatives have focused on the challenges facilities face in providing proactive preventive care including the demand for safe/quality toothbrushes, safe quality topical fluoride and the ability of inmates to access safe flossing options. For over 20 years, Orabrite has focused on an overall approach to providing facilities a solution of safety-engineered products that meet rigorous clinical standards at a cost effective price. www.OraBrite.net 1.888.296.6730

Correctional Health Services Corizon Health, a member of the Valitas Health Services corporate family, provides quality health care services to states and municipalities across the country, offering the only comprehensive solution for physical care, behavioral care and pharmaceutical services. With its corporate headquarters in Brentwood, Tenn., Corizon Health notes it is the leading provider of correctional healthcare services in the United

States. The company will be exhibiting its latest programs for the corrections market. www.corizonhealth.com, 1.800.729.0069

Opioid Dependence Care VIVITROL (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) is a once-monthly medication for the treatment of alcohol dependence as well as for the prevention of relapse to opioid dependence, following opioid detoxification. VIVITROL is the first and

only non-narcotic, non-addictive, once-monthly medication approved for the treatment of opioid dependence. Treatment with VIVITROL is also part of a comprehensive management program that includes psychosocial support. www.alkermes.com 1.781.609.6000

Correctional Healthcare Services The California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) ensures that a constitutional level of medical care is delivered to those incarcerated in California prisons. They were established to oversee and provide timely access to quality health care in all stateoperated California adult correctional institutions. The CCHCS will be recruiting at the conference

and are seeking dedicated correctional health care professionals to provide this essential healthcare to their diverse patient population. The company provides a positive work-life balance and California benefits with 35 locations. www.cphcs.ca.gov 1.916.691.3000

Comprehensive Medical Services Armor Correctional Health Services is a physician- and minority-owned company that was specifically designed for providing comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health services to patients in jails and prisons. The healthcare provider works closely with command staff to create solutions that are customized to each site. One of the company’s goals is to maximize on-site services, which helps to reduce the high costs of off-site care as well as expensive overtime and transportation costs. www.armorcorrectional.com 1.866.979.8585

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET





BY MICHAEL GROHS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Meeting Up VIDEO TECHNOLOGY FOR ON-SITE OR AT HOME.

S

tudies have found the support of friends and family is integral to inmates’ well-being and improves the odds of them not reoffending. A report by the Vera Institute of Justice studying “the current landscape of video visitation in prisons” found that half of those surveyed had previously lived at least 129 miles from the prison where they were serving their sentence. The trips averaged nearly three hours’ driving time each way. A third of those surveyed reported that their loved ones did not have access to the necessary transportation to make the journey to visit. Only a quarter of women with children had received a visit from them during the previous year. Almost all of them (95%) wished that they could receive more inperson visits. There has been a push in some facili-

26 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

ties to make those visitations remote—and in many cases, solely remote. The technology offers benefits in the form of convenience, client/attorney communication, travel time and costs, security within the facility, and security outside the facility. Donna Collins, senior account manager at Monroeville, Pa.-based Compunetix, which offers the Companion Suite, points out that virtual visitation can be used for connecting inmates with family, therapists, lawyers and priests. It promotes rehabilitation and addresses prison reform. It helps prevent contraband from entering the facility. It generates revenue for the prison, lowers prison staffing/costs, and allows loved ones who can’t visit because of distance, disability, illness, or responsibilities at home. The use is remarkably simple. The visitor makes an appointment, and the inmate is told when and where to accept the call. The caller then visits the facility to use the stations or log on via computer or VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET


PHOTO COURTESY GTL

GTL’s At-Home video visitation solution through VisitMe allows visitors to conduct visits through most PCs, laptops, and tablets without requiring a trip to a facility.

other device. The login requires a simple passcode, and the prison security officer connects the call. Calls can be monitored visibly or invisibly or not monitored at all for visits with attorneys and clergy. The technology is WebRTC (real time communication), which means it requires no separate downloads and can be used with a standard web browser such as Chrome or Mozilla. Says Collins, “Browser-based RTC has really opened the gates.” One advantage of video visitation is when it comes to legal matters, says Brian Deuster, product manager, Video Initiatives at GTL. Attorneys’ hours are billable, and often correctional facilities are located in remote areas. Those hours traveling would have to be paid for, and the meeting

might only last 15 or 20 minutes. Through video visitation, those hours and money can be saved by simply calling each other rather than commuting. Donna Hogan, sales and marketing assistant at Black Creek Integrated Systems, points out that from the correctional standpoint, “Video arraignment allows inmates to participate in the legal process without leaving the facility.” This in turn saves travel time and personnel problems involved with transporting inmates between the jail and the courthouse. She furthers that an attorney can visit from the privacy of his or her office. Confidentiality is not violated because jails are legally prohibited from listening to or recording privileged video visits. Video visitation also offers

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET

attorneys the ability to visit with more clients and offer them more attention in a shorter time by reducing travel time. “There is no cost to the inmate or the attorney (at least under the Black Creek system), so attorneys can consult with clients as often as necessary.” Video visitation units can be installed in private areas, so inmates don’t have to leave the housing unit in order to consult with an attorney.

Remote Parole At the other end of the inmate’s sentence, Collins furthers that video visitation can be used in remote parole hearings. It eliminates the need for secure transport, and the fact that there are no travel logistics makes scheduling easier. Parole boards CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 27


The technology employed by Companion Suite from Compunetix is WebRTC (real time communication), which means it requires no separate downloads and can be used with a standard web browser such as Chrome or Mozilla.

can also preside over multiple jurisdictions, and the adoption of such solutions can lower overall costs. There are benefits for friends and family visits as well. Says Hogan, “It is well known in the corrections industry that the more incarcerated people get to visit with their loved ones while they’re serving time, the less likely they are to reoffend later on.” While jurisdictions may make an effort to incarcerate inmates at facilities in proximity of their families, not all jurisdictions can or do consider distance to family when choosing where to house an inmate. For inmates incarcerated far from home, visits can be a rare event restricted by the family’s financial situation. “For families for whom traveling to visit an incarcerated loved one is cost prohibitive, video visitation can be the lifeline that holds the family together. Regular visits with family and friends, whether in person or via video visitation, help inmates remain socialized and aids in the eventual re-acclimation to civilian life upon release from jail.” Furthermore, children also might be adversely affected by the jail atmosphere of a live visit, and for the elderly, a road trip to visit a loved one might be impractical or impossible. 28 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

GTL’s system is called VisitMe. Using the on-premises solution available through VisitMe, services can be conducted at predetermined locations within the facility or from an adjunct location. Stations can be installed throughout each housing unit, so inmates do not need to be moved. A station can also be set up on a cart and used as a mobile solution for restricted classification offenders. One trend Deuster and Hogan have both noticed is the request for more tablet and mobile phone options with fewer restrictions regarding time constraints such as limited times users can log on. Many inmates have tablets. Friends or family can log on to the system, and the inmate’s tablet will ring. The AtHome video visitation solution through VisitMe allows visitors to conduct visits through most PCs, laptops, and tablets without requiring going to a facility. While it may sound strange considering the scourge that is cell phone use in correctional facilities, the calls are monitored and the tablets limited. Another vendor, Securus Technologies, offers Video Visitation, a scheduling software available to the corrections market. An easy-to-use interface allows friends, family members,

attorneys and other visitors to easily schedule visits from any Android or iOS mobile device or PC connected to the Internet. Before being able to schedule a visit, the visitor must first electronically submit their information and photo identification. This allows staff to control who is allowed to schedule a visit, thus giving the ability of restricting users because of behavioral issues. The scheduling platform is completely integrated with the Jail Management System ensuring that a visit is only scheduled during available timeslots. Securus Video Visitation has the ability to monitor and record visits, creating new investigative opportunities that can also have a real impact on reducing violence within the facility. Furthermore, staff can identify visits for later investigative review and prevent recordings from being purged after the standard retention window expires.

New Mobile App Another option, the Securus Mobile app for Android, allows users to manage communication with incarcerated loved ones anywhere. Users can fund a calling account so they are always ready to receive a call, check account balances, schedule or join a video visit. Apple users will have this functionality in the coming months, but can currently use the Securus Video Visitation app to enjoy existing features and remotely visit. Another trend vendors have noticed is that when a facility puts out an RFP, they have been asking to bundle technology, so providers will combine technology such as making the system to allow for video visitation and also be used for other aspects such as education or commissary. The systems are designed to be simple to use. Once completed, facilities can lay their own foundations because the system is open to adaptation. Unlike a phone installation, the implementation is a

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET


significant technological upgrade that can be multi-layered. Monroe County Correctional Facility has adopted the technology. The call is paid for by the friend or family member calling, and costs about $6.00 for 20 minutes. According to the Pocono Record, among the reasons for the adoption was to “help control inmate behavior.” Warden Garry Haidle noted that when an inmate has family members out of the area, the technology brings them into the area, which helps the inmate “handle their incarceration better.” A terminal was hooked up at a nearby Children and Youth office so as to keep children out of a correctional environment.

Cutting the Miles The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has realized significant success by using the technology for arraignments. In Kern County, those involved perform

arraignments of inmates who commit a crime while incarcerated at one of the county’s five prisons. The inmates appear on a large monitor inside prison court while remaining housed in the facilities. The tactic has been efficient since arraignments are brief appearances that only involve charges being read, court dates being set, counsel being assigned, and setting bail. Video arraignments in Delano have been used for years, but in July 2017, CDCR expanded the use to all of its 35 institutions. Kern County Superior Court Judge David Wolf recalled when a mere two years ago when the facilities had CDCR vans from all over the state, and inmates sitting in those vans until 5 p.m. “It was a hot and miserable way of doing business, and now we have a far more humane process that is better for attorneys, inmates and the transportation officers. Working together we have pro-

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET

vided a higher level of service, enhanced public safety, and done with greater efficiency.” In one year, the Kern County Prison Court hosted 318 video arraignments. Of those, 41 eased the strain on CDCR’s transportation team at nearby Corcoran. Public safety benefits and cost savings were dramatic as the use of video arraignments extended across the state. During that same period, officers at Salinas Valley State Prison avoided driving 39 trips of 352 miles as well as 29 trips of 386 miles for California Health Care Facility in Stockton, and 27 trips of 530 miles from California State Prison, Sacramento. Add to that Pelican Bay State Prison, California’s northernmost correctional facility and one known for housing a large population of maximum-security inmates. They avoided 34 round trips of 1,324 miles. In total, CDCR saved over 134,690 miles of travel for arraignments, which only take

CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 29


PHOTO COURTESY GTL

“Browser-based RTC has really opened the gates.” —Donna Collins, Compunetix

about 15 minutes each. Not all visitation needs to be conducted via video or phone. Considering the drive for more mobile options, services such as Securus’s eMessaging allows family and friends to communicate with an incarcerated loved one using messaging similar to e-mail. The system allows users to send a text-based message, take a photo on a mobile device or send a photo from the user’s gallery, and receive a text based message from an inmate (if the loved one purchases a reply). The solution requires a Securus Online account and login. Messages are sent and received from the user’s eMessaging inbox from the website or on the Securus mobile app and are paid for by purchasing a book of “stamps.” Stamp pricing varies by facility. Once the user selects the inmate he or she is going to message, the stamp price will be shown. The user then finds the inmate, purchases a book of stamps, and writes the message. A photo can be attached for an additional stamp. As with the video visitations, the message is monitored. While the conveniences and cost are certainly attractive for all parties involved, video visitation has not had all positive reviews. Some complaints such as audio artifacts and echo seem inevitable to be remedied as technology is perfected. Some facilities, Hogan 30 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

points out, might charge what in some cases has been considered to be exorbitant fees. “Individual providers set their own fee structures, so the cost to the user will vary depending on which service is offered at the inmate’s jail.” The other controversy seems to stem from when facilities make video visitation the sole option. A 2015 study by the Prison Policy Initiative found that 74% of jails banned in-person visits when they implemented video visitation. The value of physical attachment might be inconsequential between an attorney and the client, but the value of attachment with loved ones is meaningful. Virginia Casper, a developmental psychologist and senior faculty member in the Graduate School at Bank Street College of Education in New York, wrote in a piece as a guest writer for the Huffington Post, “Mother and child have an opportunity to

touch each other’s faces, feel the weight of each other’s bodies, take in each other’s smells and sounds, and figure out who they are and who they are becoming. For the incarcerated mothers, these experiences become memories. For the infants and toddlers, these visits serve as building blocks for their growing brains as they develop their sense of self in relation to others. Those moments together define the child’s relationship to the person they’re learning to call “mama.” The key takeaway from the Vera study was: “In theory, video visitation presents an opportunity to help bridge the distance between incarcerated people and their loved ones, and to complement inperson visits. In practice, it can be expensive for incarcerated people and their families, and there are many opportunities for improvement to the technology.” ✪

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET



COMPILED BY DONNA ROGERS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Protective Gear for C.O.s KEEPING OFFICERS SAFE IN RISKY CIRCUMSTANCES IS THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ANY CORRECTIONS AGENCY.

RIOT HELMET The Advanced Riot Control Helmet (A.R.C.H.) from PACA Corrections provides outstanding protection and superior comfort, the company reports. It features an optically clear, UV resistant, 32 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

polycarbonate face shield with a spill proof rubber seal that prevents liquids from being splashed into the officer’s eyes. Constructed of ABS plastic, it has a removable interior foam liner and NIJ-compliant quick release buckles. A molded lip on top edge of face shield is designed to prevent shield from closing over integral visor and striking the wearer’s face. It also features snap-on nape pad with Kydex

penetration shield, shock absorbent foam pads and chemical-resistant black Cordura cover. Accessories include standard or grid face shield and gas mask. 1.800.413.5155 www.pointblankenterprises.com

RESTRAINT MITT Renco’s Secure Fit Restraint Mitts protect officers and staff when working with prisoners, detainees and psychiatric patients. A former federal prison guard designed the new mitts after witnessing an inmate escape from handcuffs while being transported. While it is generally agreed that transport is the most

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET



with 50+ years in safety and security products, and are made from durable, cut-resistant Kevlar and premium natural leather. renco@rencogloves.com 1.800.257.8284 www.rencogloves.com/products/restraint

INDUSTRIAL PROTECTION

dangerous circumstance a corrections officer faces, it has been estimated that greater than 10% of the jail and prison population is transported every day. Over the past year, several high profile instances of injuries and death to officers have occurred during transport; the company reports the national average is 1.28 escapes/day. The patent-pending mitts are produced in the USA by Renco Corporation, a company

The DELTA® Black Magic glove is one of the most durable and long-lasting powder free gloves used by police officers and many other industries for over 16 years. Made from a super strong NITREX® Polymer, 100% nitrile, fully textured, with a thickness over 6 mils and 3X more puncture resistant that latex or vinyl, it provides the protection you need in both medical and industrial applications. They are strong and easy to work with due to the EZ-Glide donning system. Officers and fleet maintenance users have told us how pleased they are with their

performance and how superior they are to other gloves they have tried. According to Manny in Corrections: “I place all of my trust in these gloves when working in some of the nastiest environments that I never imagined.” The firm provides free samples upon request. 1.800.220.1262 www.deltagloves.com

EFFICIENT GEAR ATTACHMENT OPTIONS Modular MOLLE attachment options are now available for Safariland’s Monadnock ExoTech Riot Suit, enabling officers to more effectively carry gear and accessories required for crowd management situations. The ECB100 MOLLE Vest is constructed of durable nylon with 1.5” MOLLE webbing loops and is worn over the ECB100 Hard-Shell Torso Protector. It slips over the ECB100’s front protective panel and securely attaches with existing hook and loop fasteners. Three sizes are available— Small, Medium/large, Xlarge/XX-large—for $45.00 MSRP. The EPT200 MOLLE Battle Belt Thigh and Groin Protection is similar to the original ExoTech TPX200 Thigh and Groin Protection System but features a battle belt design and the addition of MOLLE loops 34 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

on t h e belt t o provide f o r versatile payload options. Its multilayer protective design covers the hip and thigh area and the groin protector is both adjustable and removable. The EPT200 has excellent shock absorbing protection and is flexible and comfortable to wear. It’s available in Small, Medium/large, X-large/XX-large, with an MSRP of $91.00. 1.800.347.1200 www.safariland.com VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET


BALLISTICS PANEL & CARRIERS PRISM® MT offers an unprecedented degree of protection against correctional threats, reports Safariland. It combines several of the most advanced woven aramid corrections materials available for protection against circular penetrators

and multi-threat protections for both stab and ballistic threats. For this panel, there are a number of covert and overt carriers available. T h e covert o n e s include the F1 with its

second skin construction for ultra-concealability to the premier features of the P1, a lightweight four-way stretch rip-stop nylon with strategically located ergonomic Velcro brand channels for easy fastening and removal. The V1 is an overt carrier that features adjustable sides and shoulder closures, as well as builtin accommodations for VIEU chest camera and mics. 1.800.347.1200 www.safariland.com

Safe Fitness Equipment INDOOR/OUTDOOR CARDIO CLIMBER

The Everest Cardio Climber is a tamperproof and weatherproof indoor/outdoor cardio fitness machine designed specifically for correctional facilities. The Everest Cardio Climber provides a biomechanically correct cardio fitness workout for inmates. The Everest Cardio Climber mimics climbing a set of stairs in a continuous motion and allows the user to choose their own step height based on their individual fitness level. The resistance/workout intensity is determined by the user’s cadence and stroke range. The Everest Cardio Climber also includes a solar powered electronic console that displays elapsed time, vertical feet climbed and calories burned. John Lewis, jlewis@outdoor-fit.com 1.877.760.6337 www.outdoor-fit.com VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET

OUTDOOR DETENTION EQUIPMENT There’s no denying the benefits of outdoor exercise, which include: improved general well being, decrease of stress and feelings of depression, decrease in medical costs, improvement in sleep, and more. A healthy inmate is a well-adjusted inmate and TriActive USA Fitness Equipment is becoming more of a necessity in today’s correctional environment. TriActive USA outdoor fitness equipment is 100% American made, extremely durable, virtually maintenance free, and requires no electricity or outside power source. Its enhanced security hardware adds an additional level of safety and comfort to front line staff knowing the equipment is tamper resistant, with no removable parts. The powder-coated surfaces are ultra resistant to vandalism and stand up extremely well to all weather conditions. lucas@triactiveusa.com 1.800.509-0597 www.triactiveusa.com

CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 35


2018

COMPILED BY BILL SCHIFFNER, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Products, services and new technologies shown at the Minneapolis corrections convention held in August.

ACA Products

Tactical Training Dummy

designed to hold 13 to 34 prisoners and are available in various configurations depending on needs. The North Star Mini Module comfortably and safely holds 13 prisoners and 2 officers. www.braunnw.com 1.800.245.6303

The ability of a law enforcement team to drill full force tactics repeatedly without the risk of injury to officers is invaluable to

any agency. The Robo-Aggressor from Krausko Tactical will take nonlethal munitions, tasers, impact weapons and any other punishment users lay on it during high intensity training situations. Puncture and impact resistant, it’s also ideal for K-9 drills. www.krauskotactical.com 1.262.631.0782

and corporate diversion goals. Ecovim Zero Waste technology, designed for on-site use, provides a variety of processing capacities based on specific requirements. From jails to large correctional facilities, Ecovim can meet food waste processing requirements. www.ivsgogreen.com 1.505.244.8778

36 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

Alternative Communication Services, LLC (ACS) is said to provide the highest quality voice-totext and sign language translation services to businesses and

Emergency and Transport Vehicles North Star custom-built prisoner transport vehicles from Braun NW are safe, cost effective

Waste Solutions Ecovim products and technology provided by Integrated Veterans Services offer innovative solutions for organic waste reduction and conversion that help facilities meet city, state, federal

Language Transcription Services

and not modified stock vehicles, thus your facilities can expect a higher level of performance and safety. Transport vehicles can be

organizations. The company offers communication access realtime translation (CART) captioning, text interpreting, and sign language services. www.alternativecommunicationservices.com 1.800.335.0911

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET



Foodservice Clean Up Spray Master Technologies is said to be the world’s highest quality pressure washing system available. Each design, including

the unique central system configuration, incorporates high quality components and design for exceptional cleaning in large facilities while saving labor, chemicals, water and money. www.spraymastertech.com 1.800.548.3373

hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. www.abkiosk.com 1.651.383.1215

business priorities, while supporting future growth. www.conduent.com/learning 1.844.ONE.CNDT (663.2638)

Correctional Healthcare

Storage Tanks

VitalCore Health Strategies has gathered the industry’s brightest leaders to help redefine the way correctional healthcare is delivered. The company’s patient-first approach is said to ensure safe,

As a leading full-service tank supplier, Pittsburg Tank and Tower Group offers the expertise and capabilities needed to produce topquality custom above-ground storage tanks. The company’s team of engineers is capable of designing tanks for many different facilities

Breathalyzer Kiosk The Automated Breathalyzer Kiosk is a secure, integrated system that autonomously handles

high-quality care aimed at optimizing outcomes and mitigating risk. Its focus is on preventive care, outcome-based behavioral services—and treating the whole patient. VitalCore offers ondemand, 24/7 access to top physicians, specialists and medical consultants through its premier telehealth services. www.vitalcorehs.com 1.785.246.6840

Learning Services A highly skilled, knowledgeable, and adaptable workforce is crucial to earning and maintaining market leadership. Conduent Learning

alcohol screening from start to finish. It consists of two components: an interactive alcoholscreening kiosk and a robust offender-management software program. The Kiosk uses biometric fingerprint authentication to verify the identity of the individual, captures video as it administers the breathalyzer test, and automatically uploads the test results to the offender’s file. Operating without any direct supervision, the kiosk can test up to 40 individuals per 38 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

and has a solid understanding of ever-shifting, complex industry standards. This allows them to create original drawings and sound engineering calculations that meet any type of design request. The firm’s trained specialists can install many different foundation types— including ring wall, slab, and pad pier, as well as driven piles, caissons, and auger cast piles. www.pttg.com 1.270.826.9000

Plumbing Plugs REAL-TITE plugs are constructed with National Standard Plumbing Code approved materials: ABS for the hard plastic components and ASTM SC-715 neoprene for the gasket material.

Services is helping organizations across the globe meet this challenge. Managed learning services through Conduent align to a correctional organization’s current VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET


Neoprene was selected for REALTITE gaskets because of its unique quality of retaining its original flexibility. This enables the user to use the plug time after time. www.real-titeplugs.com 1.800.877.0610

Payment Services Western Union offers a number of services for the corrections industry including inmate release payments, inmate deposits and parole and probation payments. For inmate release funds, Western Union has a convenient cash option that lets released inmates

including those administered through IT department’s Mobile Device Management system. www.guard1.com 1.800.THE.PIPE

Correctional Technology VendEngine offers cloud-based technology solutions designed specifically for the corrections industry. From inmate commissary deposits to commissary management systems to a myriad of

inmate communication platforms, they report to offer one of the most advanced technology platforms in the industry. www.vendengine.com 615.319.6007

walk in and pick up their funds at one of over 44,00 locations. Western Union can also automate inmate deposits as well as organizations to accept parole or probation payments anytime of day. www.payments.westernunion.com Danny.Chunn@westernunion.com

Mobile Solutions Automate a facility’s workflows and empower officers with mobile device solutions from Guard1. For officers and staff, Guard1 keeps track of pending tasks and documents when they are completed. For control room staff, administration is simplified by Guard1 Real Time software. For administrators and supervisors, Guard1 provides text message notifications of missed tasks and alerts that you specify. Guard1 works on inexpensive mobile devices,

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET

CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 39


BY G.F. GUERCIO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

NEUTRALIZE HIGHRISK TRANSPORTS Equipped buses, cuffs, body restraints and more all work to subdue even the most high-risk transports.

The MCI Inmate Security Transportation Vehicle, or ISTV, is a durable, secure, prisoner transport designed using semi-monocoque construction for reliable performance on all types of road conditions.

INMATES

escape during transport earlier this year when the guard stops at a casino hotel in St. Louis… inmates steal a van after a prisoner holds a pen against the neck of a guard in Oklahoma last fall…but most chilling, two inmates escape from a Georgia prison bus last summer and disarm and then fatally shoot two C.Os. The Georgia investigation reveals many security issues, but to list a few: the handcuffs were not double locked, the gate between the guards and prisoners 40 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

was not locked, the guns were not on the officers but in a box, and only one of 13 lights on the bus was working. The offenders were not searched before boarding and a pen and toothbrush were used to unlock and dislodge the cuffs and barrier gate. It seems obvious that correct equipment deployment is crucial to secure transport, especially when that equipment is highly relied upon for support and protection. Providers of transport equipment, including director of training for Nova Security Group Inc., Brian Dillard, advocate

training and knowledge-of-use measures. He points out that for Nova, “training consists of device functionality, as well as scenariobased application.” Dillard explains that once training is secured, planning for the unforeseen is the best way to neutralize security issues before they escalate. “When developing a plan, one must make every effort to consider all possible contingencies. Any given situation can elevate the risk and threaten the success of the operation.” The solution: Diligent planning and clear communication. Every oper-

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET


Color-coated handcuffs from Bob Barker keep track of the restraints, identify prisoners, and can signify medical or behavioral concerns.

ator must understand their role in the event and be able to transition into alternate action, should the unforeseen occur, he says. A range of potential obstacles should be considered when planning a high-risk transport, he adds. These include a lead, principal, and chase vehicle and who is assigned to which; alternate routes must be designated; potential choke points considered; and pre-designated safe houses established along the route. Furthermore, information leaks in regards to the operation must be considered as they relate to possible external threats from the subject’s associates, family, etc. Nova’s Remotely Activated Custody Control (RACC) system is, he describes, primarily a contributing tool implemented to assist in the prevention of escape and/or assaultive behavior. The system discharges approximately 50,000 volts when activated, delivering a less than lethal charge to the subject. “Via pain compliance, the subject’s focus is redirected, disrupting their thought process and enabling the officer(s) to gain control. These systems have proven to be a powerful deterrent: the psychological impact alone is a large contributing factor.” Nova’s product line includes handheld devices, charged cell extraction/ riot shields and RACC systems. Those within the Nova family are dedicated to a mission, officer safety being the pinnacle consideration, he adds.

Tough Cuff Offers Comfort ASP’s focus has always been on officer safety, says Michael Hess, vice president, Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP), and that is reflected in the new Transport Kit in production for Sept/Oct delivery. “It’s unique in that it integrates exclusively with our Rigid Ultra Cuffs, in a way that allows application, adjustment and removal of the belly chain component while the subject remains securely cuffed, with minimal arm and hand mobility, at all times.” In addition, the Transport Kit’s positive locking block engages without a key in the keyhole, so it is both faster and, with a key not present during the restraining process, more secure. The Rigid Cuff/Transport Kit combination also takes subject comfort and safety into consider-

ation, he says; the system is equally well-suited for standing, walking or seated transport and courtroom use. Hess adds, “A unique feature of our Ultra Cuffs, which are available in standard chain and hinge variants in addition to the Rigid version that works with the Transport Kit, is that the lock sets are interchangeable.” The cuffs can be ordered, or retrofit, with a variety of pawl configurations, including a highsecurity lock set that requires a special key. Keys are key with double-locking color-coded and color-coated handcuffs from Peerless. Says Tim Donovan, inmate transport product manager for Bob Barker, their distributor, “The Peerless handcuffs are a great way to keep track of the restraints and identify prisoners.” The bright colors— orange, red, pink and yellow— help make it easy to color code different threat levels or medical

The Stun-Cuff by Myers Enterprises deters unwanted activity during transport and remains undetected under the pant leg for court and medical appointments.

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET

CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 41


conditions. Also, if someone becomes unruly or threatening, the Transport Hood acts as a deterrent against biting or spitting. The medical filtration fabric reduces the risk of exposure to airborne and bloodborne contaminates. The hood does not hinder breathing, hearing or vision and is non constricting when used properly, he says. It reduces the risk of possible lawsuits resulting from other protection methods that may cause unintentional harm to the subject. The Stun-Cuff has never suffered any litigation, notes says Brad Myers, owner and president of Myers Enterprises, Inc., maker of the electronic device, which he attributes to the deterrent aspect and its accountability. “It is a wireless unit so you can pull up the time and date it was fired. The dataport will coincide with trying to escape, fight, or attack someone.” It’s a great deterrent because you demonstrate before you put it on, he says. “When you activate the device it contracts the muscle in the leg so it pulls the foot up to the rear.”

Blue Bird’s exclusive Shurgard partitions and window screens are 75 percent stronger than typical expanded metal. Surveillance systems options are available. 42 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

The ASP Rigid Ultra Cuff

“If a guy is in for life, he has no reason not to try to hurt someone, get away or both,” Myers says. He recounts a detainee who was belligerent and was being readied for trial. “So they demonstrated the Stun-Cuff, you just hit the button—you see

and hear the electric current—the detainee didn’t give them any trouble. That’s the beauty of this; you rarely have to activate it. Just the demonstration and wearing it is the biggest deterrent.” Stun-Cuff is used in court, he says, for an innocent-untilproven-guilty appearance, judges request or require that it is worn under the pant leg. “It’s the same if you are doing a hospital run. Many doctors won’t allow patients to be paraded around the hospital handcuffed.” And in treatment if there is a petite or elderly practitioner, “it’s a good equalizer.” During long transport, subjects need to eat, drink, use the restroom, observes Patrick Pethel, master instructor, Safe Restraints Inc. These situations become points of increased risk if adjustments to restraints are needed to perform these activities, putting personnel at risk. The WRAP Extradition Harness allows the movement needed without adjustments, says Pethel. “Even a short transport

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET



ASP’s Rigid Cuff/Transport Kit combination is designed to be used with the hands cuffed in front of the body; the system is well-suited for standing, walking or seated transport and courtroom use.

can erupt into a full-scale use-offorce situation as there can be a reduced number of personnel on the trip and controlling that subject can be a challenge.” The WRAP safety restraint stops the fight quickly, controls the subject, and allows for medical care if needed, without risk of another fight occurring. Moving/carrying someone from the bus to the facility or through a facility can be awkward and cause injury to personnel and the inmate, he says, especially if the inmate is thrashing. The WRAP Carry Cart can hold an individual restrained and requires fewer personnel to move them. “All our products present the ability to transport someone in a vehicle whether it is a car, bus, walking, escorting, or wherever transport of a high risk inmate is needed.” He adds, Safe Restraints provides instructor training, test/evaluation units, sample policies and referrals for vetting before purchase. Protecting staff and public while 44 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

The Safe Restraints solution is a full body restraint that quickly stops a fight, controls a subject upright/seated to avoid positional asphyxiation, and allows for quick and easy medical care. The WRAP Carry Cart is an added option when carrying is not a preferred option.

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET


The Bob Barker Transport Hood helps deter biting and spitting.

The systems developed by Nova Security Group Inc. are designed to deter unruly behavior. The Remotely Activated Custody Control (RACC) system delivers a non lethal electrical charge to help prevent escape.

providing the most cost effective transportation is the biggest obstacle according to Matt Matthews, applications engineer, Blue Bird Corporation, “from work detail to inmate transfer at maximum security levels.” Blue Bird’s multiple body models, seating configurations along with secure window options and interior partitions provide solutions to meet secure transportation needs, he says. Blue Bird’s exclusive Shurgard partitions and window screens are 75 percent stronger than typical expanded metal, the company reports. Security covers utilizing the Shurgard design protect the interior parts of the bus from vandalism, he says adding, “Surveillance systems including cameras and alarm technology

options are available.” Securely transporting prisoners is a daunting task, agrees Tom Wagner, MCI vice president of Public Sector. The MCI Inmate Security Transportation Vehicle (ISTV) is designed using “our semimonocoque construction for reliable performance on all types of road conditions.” The ISTV is able to accommodate up to 69 inmates and can be customized. Options include individual containment barriers and cells, window bars, rear officer position, Code 3 lights, siren, external public address system, bullet-resistant materials, half-inch shatter-resistant windows, surveillance systems, GPS or a movable barrier system. “MCI collaborates with each agency to design a

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET

coach which incorporates options and security features for their specific operating environment.” MCI is launching its next-generation D-Series model, a breakthrough in ADA accessibility. “Our ISTV version will be available starting around 2022.” Optional ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), electric cooling system and 360 degree cameras are planned for launch in the coming years. In years to come who knows what type of containment devices will leverage security. Futuristic looks have fascinating ideas of foam encasement or expanding restraints. But for now, many options keep officers safe and avert risk escalation. ✪ For more information: Nova Security Group Inc., www.novasg-usa.com ASP, Inc., 920.735.6242, customerservice@asp-usa.com, www.aspusa.com Safe Restraints Inc., info@saferestraints.com, demo video https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=u6F6rO_xCu4, www.saferestraints.com Blue Bird, www.blue-bird.com/specialty-buses MCI (Motor Coach Industries), 866.624.2622, tom.wagner@mcicoach.com, www.mcicoach.com Bob Barker, 800.334.9880, www.bobbarker.com Stun-Cuff, Myers Enterprises, Inc., 303.986.0803, www.stuncuff.com CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 45


AD INDEX Page No.

Alkermes ..........................10 Black Creek Integrated Systems Corp. ..............31 Bob Barker .......................47 Corizon Health...................7 Diamond Drugs Inc..........17 Endur ID Incorporated.....39 Institutional Eye Care ......46 Keefe Group.....................48 Medi-Dose Company ...........4,8,18,23 MHM Correctional

Reduce the Potential for Razor Blade Related Incidents The Maximum Security Colored Razor Blade’s vibrant green color reduces the inmate’s ability to replicate the blade and makes tampered blades easier to detect, collect, and inspect. 1-800-334-9880 www.bobbarker.com

Services, Inc....................2 NaphCare .........................21 Techcare ...........................16 Point Blank Industries......33

COMPLETE EYEGLASSES

QIAGEN ............................15

$14.95

Renco ...............................46 Securus Technologies .............6,29 StunCuff Enterprises, Inc. ..8 Swintec Corporation........24 Swisslog Healthcare.........19

RX Eyeglasses On-Site Optometry On-Site Ophthalmology Testing

Protect Against Fentanyl The MicroFlex Lifestar Exam Gloves have been tested for their ability to protect against fentanyl and gastric acid. The double dipped, dual color helps users quickly identify if the glove has been compromised.

Time Keeping Systems, Inc..................37 TrinityServices Group, Inc. ...................43

1000 Facilities Nationwide 44 States - Federal in all 50 States Correctional Vision Care Since 1983

1-800-334-9880 www.bobbarker.com

Western Union ...................9 Wexford Health Sources ....5 This advertisers index is provided as a service to our readers only. The publisher does not assume liability for errors or omissions. 46 CORRECTIONS FORUM • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

Institutional Eye Care LLC website: institutionaleyecare.com email: info@ institutionaleyecare.com

VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET




Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.