JULY/AUGUST 2021 VOL. 30 NO 4
ADDRESSING STAFF STRESS ISSUES TRACKING TECHNOLOGY
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED 69 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755 Corrections Forum
CORRECTIONS
FORUM
Publisher & Executive Editor
Thomas S. Kapinos Assistant Publisher
Jennifer A. Kapinos
JULY/AUGUST 2021
Associate Publishers Peggy Virgadamo
Art Sylvie (480) 816-3448 asylvie@cox.net
4 10 16 20 26 32 36 41
(718) 456-7329 pegpaulv@aol.com
Northeast
West
The Pulse
Editor-in-Chief
Donna Rogers Contributing Editors Michael Grohs, M.J. Guercio, Bill Schiffner, G.F. Guercio
Countering Contraband: Drones, Cell Phones & More ACA 151st Congress of Corrections Show Products ACFSA: Food Service Show Goes Virtual
Art Director
Jamie Stroud
CORRECTIONS FORUM
(ISSN10729275) is published bi-monthly by: Criminal Justice Media, Inc 18521 E. Queen Creek Rd. Suite 105-416 Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (310) 374-2700 Send address changes to:
CORRECTIONS FORUM
Addressing Staff Stress Issues Tracking Technology: Pairing RFID & Video Outsourcing Health Care
Subscription Department 69 Lyme Rd. Hanover, NH 03755 Fax: (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 Printed in the United States of America, Copyright © 2021 Criminal Justice Media, Inc.
Ad Index CORRECTIONS FORUM
Main Offices 18521 E. Queen Creek Rd. Suite 105-416 Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (310) 374-2700
135+ LOCAL AND NATIONAL HEALTH AND JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS SHOW SUPPORT FOR MEDICAID REENTRY ACT On July 1, the American Jail Association and the National Sheriffs Association, in partnership with more than 135 local and national community groups, health, mental health and justice organizations, sent a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance expressing support for the bipartisan Medicaid Reentry Act (S.285) and urging that the Committee pass the legislation, which would allow Medicaid to cover health services 30 days before an individual is released from prison or jail.
4 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
An excerpt from the letter reads: “Allowing incarcerated individuals to receive services covered by Medicaid 30 days prior to their release from jail or prison will expand access to vital mental health and addiction services, thereby decreasing recidivism and improving health outcomes for individuals reentering the community. Furthermore, by investing in prevention, the Medicaid Reentry Act will provide savings on health care and criminal justice costs for jurisdictions across the country. "The Medicaid Reentry Act will
also help keep everyone in the community healthy, especially as we continue to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Continuous health coverage is vital for people to stay healthy and be able to access the care they need when they need it. Incarcerated individuals are at particular risk of contracting Covid-19. Making sure these individuals have uninterrupted health coverage, particularly during the transition period when they are reentering their communities, is essential for keeping them healthy, limiting spread of the virus, and protecting the health of the community overall." Approximately 11 million people cycle in an out of local jails
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
each year, with the majority suffering from substance abuse issues, mental illness or both, according to the National Association of Counties. The health needs of those incarcerated in local jails are exacerbated, yet are often not being met. The Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) strips federal health care benefits, such as Medicaid, Medicare and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for juveniles upon admission to jail, not adjudication, sending many justice involved individuals back on the street without access to health care. The bipartisan letter to Congress concludes by stating: “Passage of this vital legislation would
6 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
take a necessary and important step toward improving health outcomes for incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism, and restoring the federal, state, and local partnership in delivering safety-net benefits.” Read more about it at www.naco.org. SOTOMAYOR TELLS CONGRESS IT CAN FIX FIRST STEP ACT AFTER COURT RULES AGAINST DEFENDANT Justice Sonia Sotomayor took a page from Ruth Bader Ginsburg's playbook when she argued that Congress could counteract a Supreme Court ruling, according to nbcnews.com. The court's unanimous decision held that the text of the First Step
Act, a criminal justice overhaul enacted in 2018, does not allow certain inmates to have their sentences retroactively lowered as a result of the new guidelines. Sotomayor agreed with the judgment based on the wording of the statute but wrote separately to say Congress intended for it to provide that benefit—and can still make that happen. "Indeed, the bipartisan lead sponsors of the First Step Act have urged this Court to hold that the Act 'makes retroactive relief broadly available to all individuals sentenced for crack-cocaine offenses before the Fair Sentencing Act,'" Sotomayor wrote, citing a brief by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., a
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
lead author of the law. "Unfortunately, the text will not bear that reading. Fortunately, Congress has numerous tools to right this injustice." Durbin, the No. 2 Democratic senator and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, told NBC News that the Senate would work to fix the law. He said he was discussing it with Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the panel’s ranking member. In a way, Sotomayor's suggestion resembles a tactic used by Ginsburg, who wrote in a 2007 dissenting opinion that Congress could counteract a Supreme Court ruling by clarifying that women have more room to sue for pay discrimination.
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
"Once again, the ball is in Congress’ court," she wrote, adding that "the Legislature may act" to correct what she argued was a "parsimonious reading" of the law by the court. Two years later, Congress passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and President Barack Obama signed it into law, effectively reversing that court ruling. D.C. JAIL TO RELAX CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS, END NEARLY 24HOUR DAILY LOCKDOWN In late May, D.C. corrections officials planned to ease an array of coronavirus restrictions and relax the nearly 24-hour confinement that inmates endured for more than
a year, according to The Washington Post. Beginning May 15 and through July, vaccinated inmates will see a resumption of activities that are in line with the city’s return to prepandemic openings, and the rolling back of some of the restrictions that jail officials said were needed to contain the spread of the coronavirus but that drew sharp criticism by lawmakers and allegations of human rights abuses. Corrections Department Director Quincy L. Booth said in an interview that the changes reflect the latest directives released by Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and guidance from city health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021 7
and Prevention. Booth said his staff was challenged with implementing widespread changes to help limit the spread of the virus and accommodate connecting inmates with family, education and legal support outside of correctional facilities. Beginning June 11, inmates will be released from cells for about 5½ hours a day, which mirrors pre-pandemic levels, officials said. Inmates once again will be eligible for in-person attorney and family visits. Educational instruction, religious services, group sessions and increased access to indoor recreation such as basketball and board games also will restart, according to the plans. Activities such as barber services that were shut-
8 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
tered in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus also will resume for those who are inoculated. All activities will require use of masks and adherence to social distancing guidelines, officials said. Outdoor recreation will resume to pre-pandemic scheduling for all inmates beginning June 11. Inmates were not allowed outside until April, despite the decreased risk of infection in outdoor settings. Jail officials faced allegations of human rights abuses over the 23hour-a-day confinement of about 1,500 inmates in their cells since last spring, which critics described as a form of mass solitary confinement.
NEW JAIL EXECUTIVE INSTITUTE Spaces are filling now for the inaugural class of the Jail Executive Institute, a cooperative venture between the American Jail Association and the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Class size is limited to 25 participants. Tuition is $2,995 and includes all class materials, lodging for five nights, daily snacks, and three evening meals. The classroom portion will be held September 19-24, 2021, in Omaha, Nebraska at UNO. Segment 2 consists of virtual classes and Segment 3 requires attendance at AJA’s Spring conference in 2022. For further information visit: www.americanjail.org/jei
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
BY DONNA ROGERS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Countering Contraband Technology helps managers push back against the incursion of illicit drugs, tobacco, weapons and cell phones into corrections spaces.
ne of the biggest challenges faced by corrections managers is the infiltration of drugs, weapons and cell phones into their ostensibly sacrosanct walls. Prisoners use cell phones to help control the flow of drugs both in and out of prisons, to organize protests, to set up Facebook pages, and in some cases, to conduct interviews with the media. They also use them to set up crimes both inside and outside the prison walls. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco are often used for illicit trade, which can be used to garner more lenient treatment, aid in escapes, or potentially turn into violent gang activity. And weapons, especially in the hand of gangs, endanger incarcerated individuals as well as corrections officers and other
O
10 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
support staff. While dangers differ with each facility, every department faces challenges of intruders and visitors smuggling in items, drones making drops under the cover of darkness, and even complicit guards that may turn the blind eye for a bribe. Screening and monitoring technologies, while not new, have improved dramatically over the past few years, and have begun to be implemented in corrections agencies. Drone detection, with RF and digital Doppler radar sensors, capture flight paths of drones, locate the pilots and alert officers prior to the drop. Screening advancements contain complex software algorithms and machine learning capabilities to accurately filter noise and quickly zero in on cell phones—whether hidden on a person or concealed in a pack of popcorn.
With OWL radar technology integrated into corrections facilities’ other security systems (video surveillance, access management, etc.), corrections officials will benefit from a new level of visibility from the radar as well as from other systems that can take advantage of the extended lead times offered by radar’s long-range coverage.
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
Here are a few of the advanced technologies on the market that give agencies the edge they need in the battle against contraband. Drone-borne contraband deliveries at corrections facilities have increased significantly since 2017, according to Lexi Rinaudo, marketing manager with AeroDefense. While cell phones and drugs represent the most common contraband, she says, many corrections leaders now worry about the introduction of weapons as well. The million-dollar question facing corrections supervisors is how to stop them. Stopping drones, for example, can be complicated. Because contraband pilots routinely use lookout and decoy drones, she says, the inability to detect and locate multiple drones and their pilots simultaneously makes it more difficult to root them out. She explains further: Most criminals understand drone detection technology and know where it’s deployed. Contraband pilots fly drones that will evade detection from some drone detection systems that rely on known drone “libraries” that can detect only certain products or manufacturers, or a single drone at a time. “AeroDefense’s AirWarden system is a unique Radio Frequency sensing drone and pilot detection system that detects, classifies, locates, and tracks multiple drones and controllers simultaneously via a network of passive sensors and omnidirectional antennas,” Rinaudo says. “Because the system passively detects drone signals by spectrum sensing, it recognizes drones it has not seen before, unlike systems reliant on product libraries.” It also does not require legal authorization, she notes, because the detection method used is not in violation of federal privacy laws. In addition, the AeroDefense system provides color-coded visual alerts in addition to audible cues when a detection event occurs via the AirWarden User 12 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
Shown is an actual drone-borne recovery cache of contraband intercepted by AeroDefense’s AirWarden system.
Interface (UI). These cues can be customized to trigger only when a target is identified within a predetermined area of interest to minimize unnecessary alerts that can lead to staff desensitization. SMS/MMS text and email alerts can be sent to multiple users for detection and location information as well as "all clear" and sensor health status. Those responsible for the physical security of corrections facilities and a range of critical infrastructure facilities, need to know when, where, and how intruders of all types threaten their perimeters, airspace, and sensitive areas within facilities, says Tom Gates, director, Sales and Marketing, with Observation Without Limits. Ultimately, he says, they need intelligent, real-time situational awareness that enables them to deter or respond to actual threats with as much advance notice as possible. OWL’s 2D and 3D Digital Radar Systems use digital beam-forming Doppler radar technology to con-
stantly surveil large physical spaces—hundreds of acres at ranges of up to nine miles, Gates explains. OWL’s radars automatically detect moving “targets”— people, animals, ground and water vehicles, drones, and larger aircraft—and then track those targets throughout the time they are in the radar’s field of view. As this tracking takes place, OWL radars collect data on targets (size of target, leg or arm movements, propeller movement, altitude, speed of movement and other attributes) that enable the system to “classify” targets—that is, the radar system can determine what the target likely is at long ranges and in all weather and lighting conditions. With real-time detection, tracking, and classification, OWL systems can then be used to create geo-fenced alarm zones, so that a range of deterrent and responsive actions can be triggered when security events take place. When intruders enter these areas, alarms and notifications can automatically be sent to security officials,
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
cameras can automatically be directed onto targets for visual verification, security lights can be triggered and focused on intruders, drones with video surveillance cameras can be dispatched to remote locations, etc. “In essence,” says Gates, “OWL radar technology facilitates a new level of situational awareness needed to deal with real threats across large areas in all weather and lighting conditions—with minimal human involvement. The latest developments in radar technology include 3D capabilities that enable OWL systems to detect, track, and classify drones, even small Phantom IV-sized drones commonly used in the U.S.” OWL radar technology will detect, track, and classify the humans and vehicles involved in ground-based contraband traffic. With radars covering prison perimeters and wide areas outside perimeters, Gates furthers, corrections officials can know when human actors are approaching
Dedrone protects over 50 correctional facilities worldwide from drone-based contraband deliveries and hostile surveillance, including Maine DOC, Kentucky DOC and JVA Halle prison in Germany.
perimeters in vehicles a half-hour or more before they get close enough to deliver contraband payloads, giving significant lead time for responding to potential bad actors; provide real-time surveillance, including directing cameras to “put eyes” on human actors approaching fences or walls; locating and recording the
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
activities of “inside men” involved in contraband activity; and triggering deterrent and responsive actions to inform officials of impending contraband activity or frighten intruders before they get close enough to deliver contraband. As drones play a larger role in the contraband problem, OWL’s
CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021 13
Through the development of the Xact ID platform, Metrasens has unlocked uniform detection, zone identification, advanced noise filtering, and secure, actionable intelligence data, such as event logging and operational statistics.
3D radar systems provide corrections officials with long-range capabilities for detecting and tracking drones before they reach contraband drop points. Even though officials are limited in the countermeasures they can take against drones, this long-range situational awareness will permit them to track, record, and respond to all activity with the intention of locating human actors for law enforcement purposes and intercepting contraband before it gets into the wrong hands. In addition to nefarious actors wanting smuggle contraband into a prison, disruption also comes from those that are surveilling the perimeters or guard patterns, notes Robert Tabbara, CEO and founder with 911 Security. AirGuard by 911 Security is a drone detection software platform that provides actionable insights on the drones that are flying in a prison airspace. AirGuard utilizes layers of RF and radar sensors to collect data on drones flying in the air. If a drone enters the facility perimeter, AirGuard gives realtime data about the drone GPS location, pilot GPS location, as well as drone data, like make and model, altitude and speed, displaying all the data on a single user interface, says Callie Miller, senior marketing manager. 14 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
AirGuard can also integrate with existing security systems like PTZ Cameras, Alert Systems and Incident Management Systems. Correctional facilities can use AirGuard or other drone detection for advanced warning that a drone has breached their perimeter. Then security staff can see exactly where the drone is flying and gather any contraband before it falls into the hands of inmates.
Blacklisting RepeatOffending Drones Drone detection also provides correctional officials with evidence through the detailed data of any drones flying around or over their facilities, says Miller. “With AirGuard, officials can ‘blacklist’ drones that have been banned or marked as repeated offenders. AirGuard lets users create alert rules that allow them to track blacklisted drones outside their normal ‘Alert Zones,’ giving them additional time to react. Blacklisting drones is particularly useful to correctional facilities,” she notes,” because many times drones are used to gather surveillance information about perimeter security, physical layout, and guard patterns for future contraband delivery.”
Correctional facilities need an automated, reliable way to detect drones and protect operations from contraband deliveries, says Abigail Surdoval, director of Public Safety at Dedrone. Detecting drones before they fly over a facility is key, she points out. Dedrone’s early warning capability allows for security teams to observe the drone alert and determine whether or not it poses a threat. The Dedrone system also provides alerts to staff whether they’re on patrol, manning a command center, or offsite. In addition, with Dedrone the flight path can be tracked, Surdoval says. Security officials only need to deploy the resources they need to track down a pilot— ”no wild chases”—and they save their team’s time by directing them only where the contraband may be dropped, or pilot may be located. She adds that Dedrone easily integrates with PTZ cameras to immediately enable prison security to view the drone and determine size and contents of contraband payload. Finally the firm’s software, DedroneTracker, captures and records forensic evidence, providing historical data for corrections managers to use should they need to investigate a pilot or hand over evidence to law enforcement for further prosecution.
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
OWL’s web-based user interface shows live tracking of targets, alarms zones, data collected by radar, and integrated video cameras controlled by radar.
Cell Phone Intrusion Cell phones top the list in problematic contraband for facilities. To combat this pervasive assault on corrections, Metrasens has recently launched the Cellsense Ultra with Xact ID™, a more intelligent contraband detection system that expands flexibility and steps up success in addressing a multitude of contraband problems, says Dan Kuzniewski, vice president of marketing. “Complex software algorithms and machine learning capabilities now act as the central nervous system,” resulting in “greater screening effectiveness and efficiency.” Through the development of Xact ID, Metrasens “has unlocked more uniform detection, zone identification, advanced noise filtering, and secure, actionable intelligence data such as event logging and operational statistics,” Kuzniewski tells CF. Going forward, development of the platform and new software upgrades will make Cellsense Ultra the first portable contraband screening system designed to be future ready, that is able to be upgraded. Plus, a new, ruggedized touchscreen interface improves operational control and adds compliance features for managing system settings, he says.
Tech Installations Of late, corrections agencies
have provided pushback on the illegal items creeping into their yards and buildings. “Cellsense Ultra comes from a long, trusted line of contraband detectors that have been deployed by the thousands around the world,” says Kuzniewski. This latest, most advanced product was launched in April 2021, and early adopters report highly accurate overall sensitivity of detection, he adds. Its portable nature means it can go beyond the front door, and is a primary tool in housing unit searches/shakedowns, staff and visitor screening, mail and commissary goods screening, and more. “Our order books continue to fill from state Departments of Corrections, county jails, and courts, both in the U.S. and around the globe.” Also deployed for several years at correctional facilities in multiple states, the AirWarden system’s early warning of drone activity and the response protocols implemented by one department had great success during an incursion soon after its deployment—this particular detection resulted in the confiscation of almost $500,000 worth of contraband. In another case, staff recovered 1.4 pounds of marijuana, 10 cell phones, and pounds of tobacco from the yard. Says Rinaudo: “Knowing when to search for contraband allows staff to inter-
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
cept deliveries before they're picked up.” AirGuard (911 Security) drone detectors are also successfully utilized at prisons. On July 30, 2020, at around 3 am, one of its drone detection systems placed at an undisclosed state Department of Corrections helped detect an unauthorized drone attempting to deliver contraband. DOC officials captured the drone pilot trying to deliver the contraband. A few weeks later another drone was caught by the detection system at the same facility. The vendor was able to use the captured data to make a video of the drone flight. In it, security personnel can see the location of the drone pilot, the drone and the flight path. The information can all be used to convict the bad actors. While not formally installed at a prison site today (rollouts for implementations at six prison facilities are anticipated over the next nine months), OWL radar products are deployed throughout the U.S. and in approximately a dozen other countries at a variety of critical infrastructure facilities, including power plants, transmission substations, airports, financial centers, border areas and others, all places that require real-time surveillance, response, and deterrence capabilities exactly like those provided by its drone detection systems. % CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021 15
BY G.F. GUERCIO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
ACA Hybrid Hosts Training & Vendors The 151st Congress of Corrections fills mid-August with the sounds of Nashville as it presents e-learning and virtual vendors as well.
he American C o r r e c t i o n a l Association’s 151st Congress of Correction is set as a hybrid conference: all events will occur onsite and virtually, and all those in- person will also receive a virtual login. Executive Director James A. Gondles, Jr., CAE, notes the event is taking place August 11-15, 2021; August 11 is virtual only while August 12 to 15 is virtual and onsite in Nashville, Tennessee. ACA’s World-Class e-Learning Training Program continues to expand its courses, offering ways to develop skills and boost opportunities, says Director Gondles. ACA attendees can build a career in security, administration, treatment, leadership and food service. For more information, visit the website www.aca.org or email elearning@aca.org. Some of the vendor companies connected with the ACA conference are featured here for readers to review their products and services as part of the hybrid event.
T
16 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
Mobile Tracking and Electronic Documentation
Safe Resident Smock
GUARDIAN RFID protects correctional teams by digitally logging the hundreds of activities staff perform each day, in realtime, centrally stored, to combat
inmate complaints and streamline compliance with jail standards. Jails can prevent or combat allegations of wrongdoing with accurate documentation of inmates’ activities, where they are moving, and what they are given. The technology centralizes care, custody, and the control missionset with tools that protect COs while streamlining compliance with jail standards. GUARDIAN RFID is used in jails and prisons of all sizes. 763.392.7269, paul@guardianrfid.com, www.guardianrfid.com
The Lifeline Crossback Safety Smock designed for resident safety utilizes a patent-pending closure that opens under force, significantly reducing the chance of using for self harm. The Crossback Smock has no hook-and-loop closures so there’s no need to secure the smock before laundering. Designed as one-sizefits-most, the straps adjust to various body sizes to simplify inventory. Made from heavy-duty 650-denier polyester fabric quilted to polyester batting, it is stainresistant, fire-resistant and tear-resistant. 1.800.334.9880, www.bobbarker.com, customerservice@bobbarker.com
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
Health Services Centurion Health works with state and local governments to provide health care services in correctional facilities, state hospitals and other community-based settings. Providing patient care in
more than 300 facilities across 16 states, Centurion is dedicated to ensuring high-quality care is provided to individuals who will soon reenter the communities served. 703.749.4600, bmay@teamcenturion.com, www.teamcenturion.com
Coordinate-Based Location Technology Black Creek’s TSI Prism RTLS deploys technology where the subjects or objects to track are
equipped with body-worn or device-attached RFID tags. The tags transmit a signal at configurable intervals consisting of packets of data. Examples include the tag’s unique I.D., the condition of the battery, whether the tag is moving, and the heart rate, if on an inmate. The TSI PRISM coordinate-based location engine calculates the location of the tag in the facility in horizontal and vertical axes with accuracies that range typically from one to two meters with available sub-meter accuracy, if required. On receipt of tag information, software stores in a Microsoft SQL Server database for display and later analysis. 205.949.9900, sales@blackcreekisc.com, www.blackcreekisc.com/rtls.html
Weapon/Phone Detection As a combined ferromagnetic and active metal detector, the CEIA SMD600 Plus WTMD is
already a complete and efficient solution for the high-sensitivity detection of any metal weapon and cell phone in correctional facilities where inmates are metal free or almost metal-free. The new SMD600 Plus-MI2 allows, in addition, the high-throughput inspection of visitors to correctional facilities in a standard checkpoint situation where detection of assembled/disassembled firearms and standard and miniaturized cell phones is required with a low nuisance alarm rate. 440.561.7615 or 440.514.9121, ferromagnetic@ceia-usa.com, www.ceia-fmd.com
Health Care Management Services Wexford Health has been implementing, staffing, and managing correctional health care programs for three decades.
Wexford is committed to maintain quality of care, generate positive patient outcomes, avoid lawsuits and negative publicity, and stay within budget. 412.937.8590, info@wexfordhealth.com, www.wexfordhealth.com
Infection Control Offerings At OraLine, PPE and infection control products are designed to limit airborne exposure, improve hand hygiene and offer several options for barrier protection.
Oraline offers face/body coverings, waterless hand soap, PPE devices such as room sterilizers, disinfection dispensers and temperature scanners, non-contact temperature sensors with face recognition, sterilizing bags and alcohol hand sanitizer, among other products. 1.888.296.6730, oraline.net Continues on page 41 18 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
BY G.F. GUERCIO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
ACFSA Goes Virtual
The food service professionals’ annual conference will be held completely online this September.
T
he annual international food service professionals’ conference and vendor show will be dedicated to online platforms this September. The Association of Correctional Food Service Affiliates (ACFSA) 2021 Virtual Conference will be held Sept 1214, showcasing a trade show in a Zoom setting with educational sessions highlighting the most recent industry information. One-on-one time in both the virtual booths and at numerous networking functions will be conducted in the Virtual Networking Lounge. To Register and see the latest updates to the virtual conference visit: www.acfsa.org/ events/conference2021.php This virtual reality exists, says Executive Director Jon Nichols, IOM, ACFSA, after surveying food service members and determining travel and budget restrictions were going to hamper attendance, not 20 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
making the in-person gathering viable. He acknowledges, “It has been a difficult year, but we are excited to start connecting again and are kicking off our ACFSA summer with our First Annual Virtual Escape Room!” This event is open to ACFSA members and exhibitors but non-members that qualify for membership can join: https://www.acfsa.org/membership.php The virtual conference will take place during the original dates in September with a slightly modified schedule. The exhibit hall will be available as a marketplace on the website as a place for attendees and members to go to source products and equipment up until the 2022 conference. Nichols adds, “We have learned from last year and added several features to the conference platform to make it easier for attendees to know when an exhibitor is live in their booth and avail-
able to video chat.” Some of the vendors participating in the exhibit hall marketplace are presented here for reader preview.
Food Service Programs Trinity’s sole focus of 30-plus years to present innovative solutions, operating efficiencies and technology-forward services allows correctional partners to focus on running the facility. Knowing mealtime plays a critical role in the overall stability of a
secure facility, Trinity can meet the needs of both large and small institutions. To reinforce a sense of order and control, Trinity makes sure all food is properly prepared and presented. Committed to provide food ser-
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
vice programs that achieve these objectives three times a day, seven days a week, Trinity also provides services such as Trinity Sourcing Solutions, Trinity Take Out and Work Feed Succeed to support inmate feeding programs. 855.705.5538, TrinityServicesGroup.com
Jail Package JonesZylon’s Jail Package includes free trays with a meal delivery cart, capacity ranging from 36 to 170 meals. Correctional-grade aluminum carts maintain food temp while
tronics to correctional commissaries. As a full-service provider, the Union Supply Direct division provides creative family package programs as well as award-winning offender work, training, and postrelease employment programs. The Union Supply Commissary Solutions division can also run commissaries. 877.865.0910, ddrewry@unionsupplygroup.com, www.unionsupplygroup.com
Fleet-Delivered Products VISTAR distributes thousands of products exclusively to corrections from its Maxima Supply and Jenny Service distribution centers in Michigan and Nevada, respectively. Thousands more items ship from its network of 24 distributions centers across the country, including snacks
tomizable in shelf stable or frozen, with a variety of dietary needs from Halal to diabetic menus. Delivering a large variety of options in quick time anywhere in the country, Marketplace manufactures a variety of meat and cheese sandwiches as well as peanut butter and jelly. For just sandwich or meal components, most times they are in stock and ready to ship. 877.773.3630, Sales@marketplacefoodsgroup.com, www.marketplacefoodsgroup.com
Facility Supplier providing excellent durability. The NSF-approved cart is easy to see over during transport and easy to keep sanitary. It includes a 5-year warranty and ships free. 800-848-8160, jzsales@joneszylon.com, www.joneszylon.com
Full-Service Commissary Provider For 29 years Union Supply Group has supplied the correctional industry with commissary goods
and services. Union Supply Group divisions (Food Express USA, Union Supply Company, etc.) provide food and personal care products, apparel, footwear and elec24 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
and beverages, health and beauty, fresh and frozen (including ice cream), hot and cold food items, better-for-you snacks and nutritional products, coffee and foodservice goods and Vistar’s own value line of proprietary items from pastries to paper towels. Vistar’s fleet of companyowned temperature-controlled trucks adds additional value and consistency. VISTAR.com
Keefe Group and its affiliates— Keefe Commissary Network, Access Securepak, Access Corrections, ICSolutions and Advanced Technologies Group— supply food products, personal care products, electronics, clothing, technology, telecommunications and software. Since 1975, Keefe has serviced the correctional market exclusively and pioneered the evolution of products,
packaging and technology services to fit the needs of facilities nationwide. 800.325.8998, customerfirst@keefegroup.com, keefegroup.com
Food Shields and Custom Serving Lines
Emergency Meals and Sandwiches Marketplace Foods Group is a national supplier of emergency box meals and sandwiches, cus-
BSI designs and manufactures servery solutions from turnkey Continued on page 41
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
BY MICHAEL GROHS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Corrections Officer Health
With the chronic stress they face as well as unaddressed mental health concerns, wellness awareness and care is just what the doctor ordered.
PRISONS are not particularly healthy work environments physically, mentally, and in many cases, culturally. There is a good chance an Internet search for correctional officer (CO) mental health will return a list of qualifications persons in this type of position must have in order to deal with inmates suffering from mental conditions. (Half of inmates have at least one.) What is not as easy to find is the help offered to COs. Being a CO can be a fulfilling service-oriented career, as well as a remarkably stressful job. According to results from the 2017 California Correctional Officer Survey, 70% of respondents stated staffing was inadequate to provide for their safety, 26 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
50% said they rarely felt safe at work, 39% reported feeling exhausted even after sleeping, 38% had little interest or pleasure in doing things, 33% had experienced at least one symptom of PTSD, 10% of correctional officers had thought about killing themselves (the rate is even high-
er for retired COs), and 73% of those did not tell anyone. Arlene Bridges, Human Services and Public Safety senior product manager at Relias, a company that specializes in education and software solutions for health care and public safety professionals, points out: “We have a strong relationship with the corrections community supporting the professional development of correctional officers. Our learning management system and library of courses help correctional agencies meet key training challenges such as the cost of overtime and training expense, maintaining regulatory compliance, improved staff competency and risk mitigation. The great thing about online training is that it is accessible anytime,
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
anywhere, so organizations can significantly reduce associated costs.” Bridges points out that, until recently, standard programs such as health fairs and employee assistance programs (EAPs) have been the most common types of programs implemented. “These programs are very important, but more needs to be done to mitigate risk associated with chronic stress and unaddressed mental health concerns.” On an organizational level, she says, studies have found that offering enhanced wellness programs improve company culture, engagement, and productivity, but the real impact is at the individual level. It is important, she says, for agencies to invest in wellness and mental health training, so employees have the information they need to make informed lifestyle choices. “Our training is written by experts with firsthand experience in the field and provides staff with the knowledge, skills and abilities to 28 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
address mental health concerns and workplace stress.” Historically, says Bridges, research examining wellness among those in public service has focused on law enforcement, but COs also have significant sources of stress, such as threats to personal safety, understaffing and mandated overtime. “This chronic stress results in an increased prevalence in suicide, depression, and shorter life expectancy of correctional officers, as well as other mental and physical health issues.” Yet, fortunately, she adds, “Organizational leaders are taking notice of this critical issue and developing or augmenting their strategic initiatives surrounding wellness and mental health.” The Oregon DOC has done numerous interventions with correctional staff, but a challenge, says Kelly Raths, administrator, Equity and Wellness Human Resources Division, has been determining if they have “moved the dial.” She notes that past data regarding officer PTSD have been
“jaw dropping,” and the last 18 months have ramped up stress in ways they are still addressing. (After more than a year of Covid wreaking havoc on correctional facilities, the Oregon DOC is planning to reboot surveys at the end of the year.) Three studies that have been most influential to the Oregon DOC’s knowledge and strategies were conducted in conjunction with Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland State University, and a 2016 study the DOC crafted in partnership with public health. Biological data, blood draws, and metabolic panels revealed “staggering” results of the number of COs knocking on the door of a stroke or diabetes. Results also found that one out of three self-reported PTSD, lack of sleep, martial stress and alcohol use.
Dealing with Trauma One driver of officer stress, says Raths, is trauma, and as they learn more about trauma, trauma
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
exposure, mirror neurons, and absorbing trauma into the nervous system, the more they can rely on best practices to work with COs and the peer support team. For example, if a CO is exposed to a particularly gruesome suicide or involved in an act of violence, the best practice is to take them off the line and address self-care. In that, the peer support team will assess the officer with Critical Incident Stress Management, an intervention protocol that was developed specifically for dealing with traumatic events, to make sure the trauma does not get entrenched. One of the most significant drivers of stress that remains an ongoing industry challenge is mandatory overtime. In prisons, certain posts simply have to have someone there, so pulling someone out to invest in their wellbeing can be difficult. Sixteen-hour shifts will take a toll on anyone, and some staff aren’t even aware of how depleted they actually are.
On top of that, COs are constantly surrounded by mental illness and the moaning, banging, shouting and other aspects that come with it. It is a stressful environment, and as Raths points out, it doesn’t do any good to simply point out the unpleasant and threatening aspects. “You can’t scare people into better health.” Trying to focus on the good has been a tactic to manage stress, though, admittedly, it is more difficult to convince staff to think of their job as a driver in helping people get their lives back together or as part of a rising tide that lifts all boats. Mindfulness can mean that COs have some control over the stress, and the silver linings include the facts that, once implemented, they have excellent EAPs, good health benefits and most of the time on the job they are safe. What has really helped Oregon deal with staff stress, says Raths, began with having a director who
made staff well-being a top priority. They have also been resolute about getting data, conducting surveys, and eradicating false information such as the infamous statistic that a CO’s life expectancy is only 58 years, a figure that was supposedly drawn from an unnamed source sometime prior to 1982. The Pacific Northwest DOC has also found success in mindfulness and resilience programs, and employees are offered two hours of paid time a week to go through a structured program. Other programs they have adopted include an eight-hour training that was created in partnership with Center for Mindfulness in Public Safety; Headspace; Eight Dimensions of Wellness/Wellness Wheel; and Healthy Team Healthy You, which is something they’ve done for a number of years and is part of the benefit package. They also received a technical assistance grant from SAMHSA and will be training 20
COs have significant sources of stress, such as threats to personal safety, understaffing and mandated overtime.
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021 29
of their staff as train-the-trainers. “We are approaching trauma informed care through a staff wellness lens and are going to couple self-regulation and communications skills in with SAMHSA’s training to equip staff to manage their own primary/secondary trauma responses in addition to understanding client trauma. The goal is to train all staff by end of 2021.” They’ve also partnered with AMEND, a public health and human rights program out of the University of California-San Francisco as part of their effort to transform the correctional culture. “It’s not perfect—we’ve found that ‘if you build it they don’t always come’ to all the resources. Overtime and posted shift work remain our biggest hurdles to accessing all the things we provide to staff.”
A Wellness App David Black, Ph.D., founder and president of Cordico, works with COs and first responders and points out that, comparatively, not much attention is given to corrections staff. The environment in which they work is unusual. It is designed to be corrective, and staff is required to be constantly on guard. He explains Cordico did a screening of COs and assessed that what was needed was a scalable solution. To meet this need, the firm developed the CordicoGuardian corrections wellness app, which offers a wide range of resources and utilizes technology to put the tools in the hands of correctional staff. The vision behind the app was to take into account what a psychologist would do. CordicoGuardian allows staff to take self-assessments and get feedback on their anger scale, alcohol abuse, compassion fatigue, depression, posttraumatic stress, resilience, social isolation, stress and well-being. The results are scientifically accurate, and feedback has referred to the app as being a “game changer.” As Dr. Black 30 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
points out, COs work in an environment with a culture of strength and masking, and many bottle up the stress. Oftentimes it is difficult for staff to self-assess because they have been wired to recognize external factors rather than internal threats, so they need to be able to get a read on their situation. The app, which was built for both prevention and treatment, allows users to take an anonymous quiz that will provide instant feedback and next-step guidance. It includes a wellness tool kit with more than 60 behavioral health topics including alcohol and substance abuse, burnout, Covid-19, family support, finan-
We found past data regarding officer PTSD to be “jaw dropping.” — Kelly Raths, Oregon DOC cial fitness, fitness and nutrition, grief and loss, mindfulness, parenting tips, posttraumatic stress, psychological first aid and suicide prevention. If a staff member is struggling, the app offers advice on what to do and information on how to access help such as support teams available within the facility as well as a crisis alert and a therapist finder. Black also points out that only 18% of officers have used their EAP, and furthermore, many COs do not trust their EAPs: 20% are concerned about confidentiality, and 11% fear losing their job if they request help through them, he says. On top of that, he furthers, EAPs are not always easy to utilize. There have been stories of officers calling a number that might go unanswered or given 30 names that have not been vetted and the CO ends up explaining the entire situation to the therapist who has no idea about the culture of corrections work. The
app, in contrast, connects staff to culturally competent therapists, so when the CO says, "I work in corrections," the therapist is immediately on the same page. The app offers staff one-touch telemedicine, allowing them to self-help or reach out to others. The stress in such an environment is like weightlifting, details Black. If allowed appropriate time to heal, the muscle can grow. If left untreated, it breaks down. The effects of stress and PTSD are very predictable and very preventable, but stakeholders need to talk about it and offer resources and allow staff to know that they can have a much higher quality of life, that marriages can be saved and depression can be treated. Fortunately, there may be a shift occurring in the culture. Correctional agencies have increased their focus on staff wellbeing over the past few years. The pandemic, says Relias’s Bridges, has brought this issue even closer to the forefront. Correctional facilities have been heavily impacted by Covid-19 with some of the worst outbreaks occurring inside prisons. (Over 114,000 staff members tested positive from the 13 states that reported employee infection rates.) A CO’s job is already inherently stressful. The pandemic exacerbated the issue. Bridges’s suggestion is that correctional agencies need to continue to invest in wellness initiatives, but warns, “You can have the best program in the world, but it will not be effective if your employees do not participate.” She furthers that it is not uncommon for COs to work in an “everything is fine” culture, so in order for these programs to be effective, it is crucial to break down barriers and establish open channels of communication with staff to ensure they are providing the support and resources that are needed. “There is still a lot of work to do to eliminate stigma surrounding mental health and wellness, but the industry is moving in the right direction.” %
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
BY M.J. GUERCIO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
RFID and Cameras: The Digital Witness Modern surveillance systems can capture every step and move made in a facility.
U
niting two technologies makes for one very intriguing solution for corrections agencies. RFID Journal reported several years ago that it is possible to perform surveillance using RFID (radio frequency identification) and video cameras in unison. The cameras record an area, while RFID readers track the position of the RFID tags. The combination of the video footage and the RFID documentation creates a video recording indexed with the date 32 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
and time of each tag reading. The video can then be searched using the unique serial number of an RFID tag. Today we find this combination a powerful way to monitor every aspect of a situation. RFID systems can document the movements of corrections officers and inmates while CCTV (closed circuit television) records them. Should an altercation arise, his or her unique RFID tag can pinpoint each position in a video recording, making everyone’s actions
fully verifiable. In one example, Black Creek ISC’s Super Display touchscreen security system can incorporate all aspects of a correction facility's security, including multiple CCTV cameras and RFID tracking. It has a large format high-res, high-contrast LCD touchscreen and intuitive software. All footage is recorded to a hard disk and provides direct user access to recorded video, according to its web page. The system features Intel processors and software with an
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
open architecture that allows components to be added, upgraded, or swapped easily. The Super Display uses non-proprietary components, ensuring replacement part availability and hassle-free maintenance. The system incorporates multiple instances of main server applications running on numerous touchscreen workstations. Should a server failure occur, an automatic failover routine is initiated, which offloads tasks to a backup component. The company says it uses highly secure gigabit security LAN, which transfers Internet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second and provides high bandwidth. The system communicates between components with standard TCP/IP. Cayuga County Jail in New York recently upgraded its CCTV and touchscreen control system with a Black Creek install. The jail, a medium-security detention center, began their partnership with the vendor in 2008 and added their first Super Display in 2013. The recent upgrade replaced all existing touchscreen control stations with Black Creek’s latest Super Display. The
Axis Communications W100 body cam, front view.
implementing the PIPE improved compliance, identification of medical emergencies and eliminated maintenance. Cayuga Jail’s Assistant Superintendent Llewellyn Spencer notes that “the product is well made, the software is user friendly, and the customer service is great.” The PIPE can be used for cell checks, suicide watches, safety inspections, and documenting tasks and observations. In the event of an incident, the information recorded can protect
Axis Communications W100 body cam, top view.
company also furnished and installed server computers, a new high-speed VPN, and a Bosch Video Recording and Management System. In another RFID application, Guard1 by TimeKeeping Systems Inc. helped Strickland Youth Center in Alabama reduce missed cell checks with the PIPE, an RFID inspection-recording device. Strickland’s previous system was outdated and needed constant repair, plus its old subscription services were expensive, the firm relates, adding that. Panasonic’s i-PRO’s S-series network camera is part of a proactive solution.
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
against liability and litigation. Corrections officers start their rounds with the identifier button and conduct checks by touching the device tip to location buttons outside of the cells; each scan records the date and time of the check. The PIPE is inserted into the IP Downloader to upload info. The device is ultra-rugged and its battery lasts 15 to 20 years. Daniel L., a security manager, details: “I left the PIPE on top of my car, pulled away and ran it over, but it still turned right back on.” It also increases cell check compliance and its real-time software documents electronic records and allows administrators to confirm that required cell checks are made on time. It also sends alerts for late or missed cell checks.
Smart Systems Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions offer both hardware and software surveillance solutions. Its iPRO captures, records, CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021 33
Corrections officer using the PIPE at a Memory Button.
manages, and analyzes video proactively. Proactive surveillance utilizes management software, analytics such as facial recognition and other applications. Panasonic’s hardware and software products are artificial intelligence (AI) driven. The i-PRO Sseries network cameras feature AI processing that transforms them into an edge-computing device. (Edge computing is computing that takes place at or near the physical location of either the user or the source of the data.) Edge computing improves response time and saves bandwidth by bringing computation and data storage closer together. “Our continued goal at i-PRO is to move security and surveillance systems from being reactive to proactive solutions by employing high levels of intelligence both at the hearts of centralized systems and at the edge,” says Adam Lowenstein, director of product management. “Panasonic offers integrated system solutions that deliver high-quality images and missioncritical reliability,” Lowenstein continues. Its hardware and software are designed to be plug-andplay, meaning they don’t require adjustment or reconfiguration. They provide point-to-point data 34 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
security, ensuring that data goes directly and securely from the camera to a storage platform. IPRO also offers Video Insight Video Management Software called FacePro, a facial recognition, analytics and access control platform.
As a result of the pandemic, Panasonic has accelerated the development of security technologies with predictive analysis
capabilities to help facilities meet new health, safety and security challenges. AI-powered analytics recognizes and authenticates the identity of individuals even with aging, partially covered faces and altered appearances. It also works at obscure camera angles. “These features help improve security as well as offer preventative healthsafety and compliance applications,” adds Lowenstein. Panasonic surveillance systems integrate video surveillance, access control, and facial recognition to secure and manage cell blocks, visitor areas, public space, and vendor-delivery points. With its open architecture platform, single point of contact, and support programs, the company notes that i-PRO systems are easy to deploy, upgrade and expand. Surveillance systems deter bad behavior, points out Kevin Taylor, development manager, Axis Communications. “Knowledge of being recorded creates the feeling of a digital witness, [and] holds people accountable to their actions.” Its W100 Body Worn Camera, 700/701 dock and the W800 System Controller is designed to answer this challenge. The camera has a dynamic range that produces clear 1080p images in varied lighting. The camera features noise suppression technology,
Components that comprise a typical Black Creek Super Display system. VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
has a 12-hour battery life and is rechargeable in the field. It meets military standards, as well as the IP67 rating for dust, sand, and water resistance. A highlight of W100 BWC is Zipstream technology, which preserves forensic video detail while lowering bandwidth and storage requirements while also providing encryption. All video is written on an internal SD card. It has an automatic recording that activates if unholstered or a fall is detected. The W100 has a klick fast variable mount, a silent mode for covert scenarios and a 90-second prebuffer option. The 700/701 docking station charges the W100 and can access system controllers and content destinations. Docking stations have between one and eight bays. The docking stations connect to the W800 System controller,
Axis Communications’ W800, W100, and W700 system, a system controller, body worn camera and dock, respectively.
which supports five or more docking stations (40-plus cameras). Videos can be transferred to the controller with the Axis Body Worn Manager, its built-in application. Axis body-worn solutions are built on an open platform; users can manage their video onsite or in the cloud. It can be paired with a solution from Axis or a preferred partner video management solution.
All in all, there are many merits for corrections managers to use RFID and video surveillance. When used together, they create a powerful digital record of events that can sort out even the most harried incidents. %
What did you think about this feature? Email: info@correctionsforum.net
Black Creek’s Super Display touchscreen security system can incorporate multiple CCTV cameras and RFID tracking. VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021 35
BY DONNA ROGERS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Outsourcing Health Care The InSite System addresses nursing shortages and turnover by transforming the process of medication dispensing in correctional facilities from a tedious, labor intensive set of tasks to a high accuracy, automated workflow.
Ways to overcome the challenges in delivering quality correctional care.
Sometimes bringing services inhouse can rein in costs. You have control of staff and salaries. Conversely, outsourcing can alleviate a burden for corrections managers, eliminate cost overruns and allow specialists to handle what they handle best. Prisons and jails have a constitutional mandate to provide people in prisons with necessary health care. While some states use a direct model to deliver services with their own stateemployed clinicians, about 20 states employ a contracted model 36 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
whereby clinicians employed by one or more private companies deliver all or most on-site care. Still others use a hybrid model. The reasons are clear. We know that in corrections it’s difficult to attract specialized health care staff, often in remote locations with difficult populations, thus resulting in staff shortages. Today, prisons and jails outsource everything from pharmacy and surgery to eye care, dialysis and dental, allowing corrections staff to do their primary jobs. It is reported that outsourcing general health care, mental health and
pharmaceutical services can be a cost saver, as well as a life-saver. Take for example Centurion Health, a national provider of health care and other specialty services to justice-involved persons, whose nearly 10,000 health care employees deliver a full range of medical, dental, behavioral health, and specialty care services to persons housed in over 350 institutional settings in 16 states. During the past year, the pandemic made operating corrections facilities exponentially more difficult, even overwhelming. An
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
already existing health care staffing shorting was made more challenging by the Covid-19 pandemic, notes Bob May, chief marketing and business development officer with Centurion Health. With its close quarters and lack of air circulation, Covid-19 ravaged both corrections populations and staff. According to The Marshall Project: Covid Cases in Prisons, nearly 400,000 prisoners and more than 114,000 staff contracted the virus in state facilities, and about 2,700 inmate deaths and more than 200 staff deaths were reported. (The project ceased reporting at the end of June. While cases were plateauing far below the peak numbers, the virus was still in prisons but too little information was being reported to continue, they said.) It should be pointed out that corrections staff, including health care professionals, should be commended for continuing to work through the worst of it.
38 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
Swisslog’s InSite solution provides in-facility access to medication inventory, waste reduction by only dispensing medications for a specific med pass and accuracy through easy-to-administer patient-specific pouches.
“While millions of people were under quarantine and working remotely, countless thousands of correctional professionals continued to report to duty, day in and day out, facing substantial chal-
lenges under extremely difficult circumstances,” May says. Many of those were outsourced health professionals. Simply attracting nursing and medical staff to work in correctional settings is a challenge to corrections leaders, May furthers. Often health care professionals in the community don’t realize the significant need for and societal value of their services in correctional settings, and thus don’t consider working in a correctional setting when planning their career pursuits, he says. Moreover, health care professionals in communities are often bombarded with recruitment advertisements for job opportunities in traditional health care settings. To overcome this, May points out, that Centurion, as a private company, “has the flexibility and resources to be creative in our development of customized campaigns to promote corrections as a career option of choice. “We put forth a great effort to better inform the professional community of the real merits of serving incarcerated persons, and the opportunity to make a real difference in the health and safety of their communities, as well as the lives of the individuals
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
they serve,” he says. “Serving challenging populations, such as incarcerated persons, is something we wish every health care professional would consider as a component of their career. For many, once they work in corrections, they find it so personally and professionally rewarding, they devote their career to it.”
Uninterrupted Med Delivery Another issue corrections managers face is providing uninterrupted delivery of medications to a highly transient, often highacuity populations where legal rights must be heeded, as well as adherence to regulatory requirements, notes Huan K. Nguyen, R.Ph., vice president of Business Development with Swisslog Healthcare. Clinical staff must ensure that they are complying with the provisions established by the legal case Estelle v. Gamble, he underscores. For nurses, the corrections environment demands a high level of flexibility and efficiency as they move between performing intake exams, performing medication calls and dealing with emergency situations such as serious injuries or psychological trauma. However, the nationwide nursing and caregiver shortage means fewer facility staff must cover more ground with less time. There is also a high turnover rate for correctional nursing staff, he points out. Swisslog Healthcare’s InSite® solution provides in-facility access to medication inventory, waste reduction by only dispensing medications for a specific med pass, accuracy through easy-toadminister patient-specific pouches and enhanced workflow efficiency by reducing the time to prepare and administer medication. In addition, automated packaging and dispensing improves medication management for correctional facilities by providing down-to-the-dose accountability. “The InSite System addresses nursing shortages and turnover
by transforming the process of medication dispensing in correctional facilities from a tedious, labor intensive set of tasks to an efficient, high accuracy, automated workflow,” details Nguyen. “When contrasting in-facility medication packaging to the traditional blister card model, InSite provides a simpler process, significantly reducing the number of steps to prepare for a med call and minimizes the opportunity for human error. This increases efficiency and saves nursing staff time, so they have more time for higher value tasks.” Implementation of the InSite In-Facility Packaging and Dispensing System also includes staff training and ongoing eLearning courses, which aid in training new nursing staff due to turnover, and in turn, assists in providing an uninterrupted workflow for medication packaging while reducing the workload of management in training new
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
employees, Nguyen points out. For a packaging pharmaceuticals on a smaller scale, the MediDose, Inc. system has been used by pharmacists and health care professionals for more than 50 years. Hospitals, home health care agencies and corrections facilities of all sizes use this system to package solid oral, unit dose medications. Pills are packaged into single doses in a choice of 15 styles of blisters that are identified with labels that can be individualized for your facility down to expiration date, generic name, bar code, etc., with a choice of custom fonts or graphics that automatically format each time. The blisters offer a time saving for nursing staff; meds can be packed ahead of time, and are readily available for quick distribution at med time, explains Bob Braverman, president. The system also provides accountability and accuracy and can thus reduce medical error. Rather than pack-
CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021 39
With the Medi-Dose cold seal system, the technician or pharmacist can quickly package 25 doses of medication.
ing the meds loose in a cup with little accountability over where they end up once they leave the dispensing station, each med is labeled for the individual patient. With the optional (and reportedly inexpensive) software system, the bar code is scanned at the bedside, recording who dispensed it and to whom. This provides more accurate point of care, “verifying the right med is dispensed to the right patient,” points out Braverman. In addition to recording all labels, the software can run reports on types of medications packed, on lot numbers in case of a recall, on overall meds packed by a particular employee and more. “A variety of checks can be turned on or off—they are all optional,” Braverman notes. Lastly, the system is tamper evident, moisture resistant, requires no expensive machinery and contains no metal, he sums up. “It’s ideal for a correctional health facility.”
Money Savers In a large correctional health care program, major budget areas are the costs of personnel, medications, hospitalization and specialty care. These, and other cost centers, must be monitored to prevent cost overruns, but more 40 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
importantly, must be monitored to ensure services meet the health care needs of the population, details Centurion’s May. What are some ways to achieve this? The ability to provide increasingly more services onsite saves costs in transportation, security staff escorts for offsite services, and expensive specialty care in the community. Telemedicine and an array of mobile services provides innovative, cost-saving methods for ensuring access to specialty services without the additional expense of transportation and security escorts, May explains. “We deliver thousands of telehealth encounters each month to incarcerated persons, and in doing so, avoid the cost of transportation and security escort while increasing rapid access to health care specialists.” In addition, Centurion has an in-house clinical pharmacy management team that monitors the utilization of millions of dollars of medications across all its contracts. “This team stays abreast of the latest research in pharmacology and emerging market trends of drug manufacturers and uses this information to educate and inform our hundreds of prescribers on the safe, efficient, and clinically appropriate use of medications,” he says. But most
importantly: “Our efforts are not always, or even primarily, driven by cost-cutting as they are of ensuring the appropriateness of expenditures compared to the level of clinical needs of the population.” Likewise, the InSite system can save significant dollars for correctional facilities through increased efficiency of medication management. Substantial savings are achieved through waste reduction. Unused and lost medications can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars lost each year. The ability of this automation technology to ascertain medications purchased are allocated and used correctly brings with it a massive reduction in waste. Another area of savings is through reduced nurse turnover. According to a 2016 National Healthcare Retention & RN Staffing Report (NSI Nursing Solutions, Inc., 2016), the average cost of turnover for a nurse ranges from $37,700 to $58,400 per nurse, and it is continuing to rise, according to Nguyen. By reducing the time nurses need for med call preparation and enabling them to engage in highvalue activities, management is providing a higher quality work experience. Even a modest reduction in turnover as a result of adopting the InSite solution can lead to significant savings. Finally, reduced turnover and reduced medical errors lead to a higher quality of care, reduced risk of potential legal action, and a safer, healthier environment in which to operate. %
Dear Reader: Kindly let us know what you think. Was this feature useful to you? What topics would interest you in the future? Reply to info@correctionsforum.net Thank you! The CF Staff
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
Continued from page 18
Continued from page 24
Pharmaceutical Provider Diamond supplies prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, intravenous medications, vaccines, emergency medication kits, starter packs, medical supplies and more. Orders by phone, fax, or online can be shipped next-day or same-day when needed. With a suite of online pharmacy management tools and its own eMAR software, Diamond also offers printed Medication Administration
Page No.
traylines, protective food shields and stainless steel production equipment. Food serving solutions for safety and reliability whether large or small, from custom fabrication to high capacity floor troughs, are safe and reliable in order to keep inmates, staff and trustees safe and nourished. 800.662.9595, sales@bsidesigns.com, www.bsidesigns.com
Mobile Receiving Desk Records (MARs) for each inmate to chart documentation of medication administration. Sapphire eMAR, a paperless solution, is available to customers free of charge, as well as more than 25 types of computer-generated monthly management reports. 1.800.882.6337, Diamondpharmacy.com
Medical and Mental Health Partners Wellpath provides comprehensive medical and mental healthcare services in jails, prisons, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, and community care centers to more than 300,000 adult and juvenile patients. Wellpath employs nearly 16,000 healthcare professionals in 33 states and Australia. With more than 35 years of experience working with local, state, federal and community partners, the partnerships focus on patient care, clinical innovations, transparent operations and staff wellness. 1.800.592.2974, wellpathcare.com
AD INDEX
Keep documents secure while overlooking the operation on the kitchen or warehouse floor. The Federal Supply USA mobile receiving desk is constructed of a heavy gauge steel with HRS powder-coat finish to handle durability challenges in the rugged environment. The unit comes with a lockable front drawer for documents, a padlockable storage base for supplies, and a convenient work area for organizing. 888.623.4499, info@federalsupply.com, www.federalsupply.com
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
Dear Reader: Kindly let us know what you think. Was this feature useful to you? What topics would interest you in the future? Reply to info@correctionsforum.net Thank you! The CF Staff
AUTOCLEAR/Control Screening ..................35 Black Creek Integrated Systems Corp. ...........31 Bob Barker....................43 Centurion .......................2 Chestnut Ridge Foam, Inc...................38 Compliant Technologies ...............7 Damascus Protective Gear .........18 Drugloo ........................11 Elmridge Protection .....39 Guardian RFID ..............19 Hazelden Publishing ....22 Institutional Eye Care ....................42 Keefe Group .................44 Keytrak, Inc................9,40 Medi-Dose Company............4,8, 27 O.W.L Observation Without Limits ..........13 ShawnTech .....................6 StunCuff Enterprises, Inc. ..........6 STV Architects, Inc .........4 Swisslog Healthcare .....37 The Bus Center ...............8 TrinityServices Group, Inc. ................21 Vistar Corporate ...........25 Western Union ...............5 Wexford Health Sources ......................17 This advertisers index is provided as a service to our readers only. The publisher does not assume liability for errors or omissions. CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021 41
COMPLETE EYEGLASSES
$14.95
Silicone Games Available in Dominoes, Checkers, Chess and Multi-Game Pack • Flexible pieces don’t cause a loud noise when slammed onto a surface
RX Eyeglasses On-Site Optometry On-Site Ophthalmology Testing
1000 Facilities Nationwide 44 States - Federal in all 50 States Correctional Vision Care Since 1983
• Can’t be melted down and turned into other shapes • Lightweight pieces are a low risk for creating blunt force weapons
1-800-334-9880 www.bobbarker.com
Institutional Eye Care LLC website: institutionaleyecare.com email: info@ institutionaleyecare.com
PairIt Sandal Interchangeable to fit right or left foot comfortably • Lightweight 100% EVA material reduces the risk of being used as a weapon • Allows for easy bulk storage by size and quick distribution, no need to store pairs together • Mark-resistant, slip-resistant and water resistant
1-800-334-9880 www.bobbarker.com
42 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2021
Body Cameras by Retired COPS is operated by retired Law Enforcement Officers who are well aware of the every day requirements of our trade. Our Cameras and related equipment meet the high standards necessary for every day operations, both custodial and in the field. We have the absolute best pricing and equipment available, with OUTSTANDING after purchase customer service. Please contact us at (805) 795-1548, or visit our website at www.bodycamerasupply.org for additional information.
VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET