JULY/AUGUST 2015 VOL. 24 NO.4
Facility Saver Tips & Tools
Add Sizzle to Commissary Sales
NEW IN E ID DUC EAS ATIO N
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CORRECTIONS
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Editor-in-Chief
New Technologies at ACA’s 145th Congress of Correction
Donna Rogers Contributing Editors Michael Grohs, Kelly Mason, Bill Schiffner, G.F. Guercio Art Director
Jamie Stroud
Commissary Items Served With a Side of Sales Sizzle
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‘PAY FOR STAY’ TREND MAY HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECTS More than 40 states allow prisons and jails to charge inmates “pay to stay” fees, according to a May 2015 report by the Brennan Center for Justice, a policy that has some feeling justified and others concerned about the lasting effects it has on the offender population. The report by the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law, a nonpartisan legal policy institute, examined the arguments for and against imposing monetary penalties on prisoners and the lasting effects that those policies have on returning citizens and their communities.
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According to the report, Charging Inmates Perpetuates Mass Incarceration, the mean annual costs to house inmates was nearly $30,000, but some states spent more than $40,000. Jurisdictions spend $80 billion every year in jails and prisons, which is similar to the federal government’s budget for the Department of Education. The report said that charging inmates fees predates the Civil War with Michigan passing the first correctional fee law in 1846. The fees range from $10 for booking to $300 a month for an electronic monitoring system. In the last few decades, additional fees have proliferated, such as charges for police transport, case
filing, felony surcharges, electronic monitoring, drug testing, and sex offender registration. Unlike fines, whose purpose is to punish, and restitution, which is intended to compensate victims of crimes for their loss, user fees are intended to raise revenue. The Justice Department’s March 2015 report on practices in Ferguson, Mo., highlights the overreliance on court fines as a primary source of revenue for the jurisdiction, the report states. While some states charge inmates for medical fees and booking, others charge fees equivalent to room and board often referred to as “pay to stay” in an effort to transfer correctional costs to inmates. The American criminal justice system is replete with fees that attempt to shift costs from the government to those accused and convicted of breaking the law, says Brennan report author LaurenBrooke Eisen. “Every aspect of the criminal justice process has become ripe for charging a fee,” the report says. “In fact, an estimated 10 million people owe more than $50 billion in debt resulting from their involvement in the criminal justice system.” Almost 7 million people were under the supervision of adult correctional systems at the end of 2013 compared to just over 4.3 million people under some form of correctional control in 1990, an increase of 58%. As budgets grew tighter and jurisdictions balked at increases in taxes, the burden to raise revenue for the criminal justice system gradually shifted toward those who found themselves as defendants in court and inmates in jails and prisons. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia allow fees to be charged for using a public de-
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fender, and 44 states charge individuals for using probation services, the report states. In fact probationers can pay fees of about $80 to $100 a month. Though many of these other charges are small, they add up. A defendant can emerge from the system owing thousands of dollars in fees. In fact, some individuals are leaving jails and prisons with “a mountain of debt,” says the report, much of it stemming from the fees they incurred behind bars, where a short telephone call home can cost as much as $20. These former inmates can face aggressive collection tactics, including additional fines, driver’s license suspension, or, in some cases, re-incarceration.
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Some of these fees are collected while an inmate is incarcerated through deductions from the inmate’s bank or commissary account. In some situations, however, the fees are collected through civil litigation aimed at a prisoner's assets or estate upon release. This debt can create a barrier to successful reentry.
DEBT MAY TARGET MINORITIES The debt may also unfairly target minorities. In the Center for Economic and Policy Research report titled Ex offenders and the Labor Market, researchers found that although Blacks account for
about 13 percent of the United States population, they make up roughly 40 percent of prisoners, according to the June 3 article in the Greene County Democrat, “Some Prisoners are Forced to Pay for Incarceration,” by Freddie Allen, who is with the National Newspaper Publishers Association. CEPR researchers also estimated that Black ex-offenders have a recidivism rate that is about 9 percent above the average and Whites return to prison at a rate that is about 9 percent below average. The CEPR report also noted that incarceration can lead to a deterioration of valuable work skills, educational opportunities and social networks and that loss can hurt ex-
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offenders as they search for jobs, making it even harder for them to repay fees that they racked up while they sat in prison. Lawmakers who favor the fees push the need to offset some of the costs associated with incarceration, yet some jurisdictions report that less than 10 percent of the fees are ever paid, and collection agencies, despite their claims, are no better at getting ex-offenders to pay up than the prisons and jails are.
HEALTH CARE DETERRENT Another problem that may be stemming from these prison practices is that practices continue to indirectly discourage inmates from
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seeking desperately needed medical care often for chronic illnesses, because at least 35 states allow correctional facilities to charge inmates for medical care. Opponents of the prison fees say that charging inmates for medical treatment can be enough of a deterrent to make them think twice about seeking health care. As inmates cycle in and out prisons and back into their communities, the spread of communicable diseases can intensify, affecting everyone that interacts with them including their families, friends and even correctional staff. The Brennan Center report recommends that government offi-
cials reexamine collection practices that place excessive burdens on ex-offenders and their families who are often indigent, and set caps on criminal justice debt. “Piling on a bill from their time behind bars pushes some individuals into a world of insurmountable debt,” the report states. Pay for stay may also violate the excessive fines clause in the Eighth Amendment and opens a door for legal challenges to these practices, the report concludes. For the full report see www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/blog/ Charging_Inmates_Mass_Incarceration.pdf
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BY BILL SCHIFFNER, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
“This year’s conference’s soldout Green Aisle with more than 30 exhibitors is strong testimony to the continued growth of sustainability in the corrections industry,” reports Tommy Norris, 10 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
chair of ACA’s Clean and Green Committee and president/CEO of GreenPrisons.org. “From solar thermal energy to green cleaners, agencies continue to look for costeffective ways to reduce their operating costs while creating meaningful work and training opportunities for inmates. One of the most innovative approaches that will be demonstrated is control of costs related to more effective waste stream management through composting,” he adds. He says that this year the entire closing session will focus on two agency’s approaches toward their sustainability goals. “This interactive presentation will provide participants new and insightful information to take back to their agencies.” In the vast exhibit hall, wardens, superintendents, administrators and purchasing agents will be out in force researching the latest cutting-edge technologies
and state-of-the-art products. From security solutions and monitoring devices, to commissary, health services and software, here’s a sampling of the latest products that will be on display.
Packaging Trends Keefe Group offers the latest packaging innovation to correctional commissaries with its Keefe Kitchens Creamy Peanut Butter in a squeeze pouch. Its unique design, with a spout dispenser and large window, provides greater security; contraband such
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as cell phones will not fit in the opening and the heat-sealed edges are tamper resistant. The new peanut butter pouch keeps fresh taste in and illicit items out. www.keefegroup.com, 1.800.325.8998
and local agencies, with an emphasis on JPS. Tribridge’s Enterprise Risk Management solution focuses on process and procedures specific to SLG. www.tribridge.com, 1.877.744.1360
the integrated web-based Northpointe Software Suite. www.northpointeinc.com, 1.888.221.4615
Offender Management Solutions
Risk Assessment Software
Last year Trinity Services Group acquired Swanson Services. Bringing Trinity and Swanson Services under one umbrella brings along with it decades of corrections experience and leveraging technology to make correctional facilities more efficient and capable… one robust organization that’s even stronger than its parts. Its proven technology includes: an inmate banking platform that can integrate with
Tribridge, an IT services and business consultancy, specializes in CRM implementations, Accounting and ERP systems, Collaboration, S & I, Custom Development, and Cloud Services. Though leaders in Public Sector, their Microsoft Dynamicspowered suite of solutions, including Tribridge Offender360 and Pretrial360, caters to state
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Be sure to catch Northpointe at the ACA where they are showing
the nationally recognized and scientifically advanced COMPAS Risk and Needs Assessment and Case Planning tools for community, reentry, women, and youth in support of evidence-based decision support. These modules, along with COMPAS Pretrial, COMPAS Classification and COMPAS Case Manager make up
Banking and Kiosk Solutions
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any JMS and is highly configurable to meet the most demanding facility’s needs, time-saving features such as secure inmate email and automated grievance/request tracking systems. It eliminates cash handling with lobby and booking kiosks and a debit card release system. www.trinityservicesgroup.com, 1.877.277.5452
Solar Solutions Solar America Solutions develops and installs solar thermal systems for domestic hot water and space heating. Its patented SunQuest 250TM solar collector unit takes advantage of the sun's ultraviolet rays to create abundant heat that can be used for a number of purposes, and is currently installed in
several correctional facilities. The design and technology has evolved over 15 years to work well even on cloudy and overcast days, saving customers 50% and more on hot water and space heating fuel costs. Pictured is the Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe, Ohio, the largest non-utility level solar thermal installation in North America, with 400 solar collectors—eight cell houses at 50 each—providing domestic hot water and space heat. Visit at booth #1217 in the Green Aisle. www.solaramericasolutions.com/applications/, 317.688.8581
Body-Worn Camera Solution Point Blank Enterprises recently unveiled its firstever body-worn camera solution, the Intelligence Retrievable Incident System (IRIS), designed to meet the growing demand for law enforcement agencies to provide a visual and audio record of officers’ interactions with the public. Point Blank has developed the Gen II camera with multiple cutting-edge capabilities, which provide muchneeded flexibility and can easily integrate with an officer’s protective vest, helmet, uniform, etc. IRIS’ primary components include: push to talk for 2-way radio speaker, HD camera for still photos, VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
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photo sensor for infrared light, Infrared light, HDMI and USB output and file tagging. www.pointblankenterprises.com, 1.800.413-5155
Pouched Meals Pouched products are one of Union Supply’s top categories and they recently added five pouched Armour meals to their
meal selection. Inmates love chili and they now offer the Armour Chicken Chili with Beans, which is a popular alternative to the regular chili. The Armour Beef Stew is also a favorite. In addition, they added a variety of pouched vegetables, which can be added to inmates’ pouched meals. In addition they offer the popular brand of Libby’s products as well. www.unionsupplygroup.com, 1.888.308.6466
Scanning Systems L-3 SDS will be demonstrating at booth #517 their checkpoint solution that includes the SafeView people screener and the ProScan 6.4c X-ray scanner for small bags and parcels. The SafeView creates a 3-D black-andwhite image of the subject that reveals concealed objects. The ProScan 6.4c provides an unbeatable combination of small size and weight, operational flexibility and high performance.
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www.sds.l-3com.com, 781.939.3800
Mobile System Corrisoft’s Alternative to Incarceration via Rehabilitation (AIR) program features a customconfigured, highly controlled smartphone paired with a unique identifier. This smartphone system, called AIR Mobile Connect, serves as both an extremely accu-
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outstanding booking, boarding and other fees owed your detention center without you having to add staff or handle the money. This Internet-based service generates invoices and provides unique and convenient payment methods to encourage payment—by phone, internet, bank, kiosk or
rate monitoring device as well as a powerful tool connecting offenders to vital rehabilitation and reintegration resources. The AIR program’s use of smartphone technology affords community-based supervision officers the ability to engage in real-time, two-way communications with offenders. www.corrisoft.com, 859.271.1190
Composting Machine
payment plan. It generates more fee revenue for your agency while providing a valuable service to those who’ve been released. www.adventfs.com, 1.866.494.8556
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and gain operational efficiencies by using an automated inmate grievances and requests system, and providing access to law libraries, education content and more. This important tool in the SmartJail toolkit provides facilities with complete control via a web-based admin interface called Telmate Command. www.telmate.com, 1.855.516.0115
Healthcare Solutions
Crispy Candies
Pay My Jailer provides an easy billing method for recovering the
The Telmate Tablet is a powerful tool that Telmate facility customers can deploy as part of the Telmate SmartJail solution. The secure mobile access point provides inmates with access to a complete suite of communications, entertainment, education and cash management services. The mobile access point also helps facilities to go paperless
Aramark offers top selling brands that inmates want, realtime dashboards with advanced visibility and flexible operating
models to meet your facility’s needs. Stop by their booth to learn how their unique approach can drive value for your facility. www.aramarkcorrections.com, 1.800.777.7090
Billing Services
Versatile Tablet
Retail Done Differently
Big Hanna is an on-site, in-vessel, aerobic composting machine. The automated, continuous process produces pathogen free, ready compost from food wastes, including fish, meat and dairy solids. Big Hanna capacities range from 330 to 5,300 lbs. of food waste per week. Big Hanna is well suited for use in a wide range of
institutions, providing savings and work opportunities. A Big Hanna T480 (see image) was recently installed at Belmont Correctional Institution in St. Clairsville, Ohio. www.bighanna.com, 612.237.0831
return via Facebook, online petitions and phone calls. It’s now available in four sizes—singles, sharing size, medium bags and a new 30 oz. stand-up pouch. 757.204.2356
New M&M’S Crispy Chocolate Candies feature a unique, crispy center covered in creamy milk chocolate, enclosed in a colorful candy shell. First introduced as a limited-edition in 1998, consumers have been asking for its
KaZee, Inc. provides modern web-enabled ONC-certified information technology solutions to the healthcare industry. They cater to most healthcare environments with an emphasis on correctional health, dialysis and public health care facilities. Since 1977, they have been a leading provider of Electronic Health Records, Telemedicine and Practice Management Systems. KaZee supports nearly 500 facilities nationwide. http://kazee.us, 1.678.221.9001
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BY G.F. GUERCIO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
What’s the sizzle factor? Commissary products that are familiar, useful, entertaining, even healthy. And of course: delicious rules. There are new entries in foods, electronics, and consummate standbys in personal care, recreation and brand names in all categories. Soaps, snacks and waterproof slip-ons top the list of items purchased at commissaries. 18 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
“Inmates have limited funds available, so they want to indulge in the products and the iconic brands that they are familiar with, like a Snickers Bar,” says Ashley Jarrett, business/customer development manager, Advantage VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
Sales, LLC, spokesperson for Mars Chocolate. “Our top products are Snickers Single, M&M’s Peanut Single and Twix Caramel Single. Customers, no matter where they are shopping, are looking for their favorite brands in the confection category.” As for the newest confections introduced into the correctional market, Crispy M&M’s and Dove Fruits are faring very well, she says. “Back by popular demand, Crispy M&M’s was re-introduced to the category in January 2015,” and “Dove Fruit, made with real fruit dipped in delicious silkysmooth Dove Dark Chocolate is a combination that we know consumers love.” In another flashback, “Keefe Group is excited to re-introduce an old favorite in a new way,” says Dean Pollnow, vice president of Product Development. “The Whole Shabang chips, which gained fame for their unique oneof-a-kind flavor under the Moon Lodge line, will become their own brand. In addition to potato chips, The Whole Shabang SuperSeasoned Snacks will include crunchies, popcorn and peanuts in original and extreme flavors.” In addition he says, “We recently introduced a new line of summer sausage in the meat snack category: Brushy Creek Summer Sausage and Beef Summer Sausage (Original and Hot), Salami Stick, Beef Salami Stick and Turkey Stick (Honey & Brown Sugar and Honey Pepper), provide an economical, shelf-stable meat protein that consumers can enjoy as a snack or as an ingredient in larger meals.” Salted snacks have always been a strong category, he says, “and we continue to partner with name-brand companies to offer popular items in correctionsfriendly packaging. Our Frito Lay snacks are big sellers, particularly Doritos, Cool Ranch Doritos and 20 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
Chili Cheese Fritos.” “In the personal care product category, our Next1 bar soaps are strong sellers. Inmates of certain religious faiths prefer the vegetable-based moisturizing soap, which is made with palm oil rather than tallow,” he says. “Within electronics, earbuds are a rapidly growing category. We have partnered with Skullcandy, a brand which resonates with our consumers, to offer their popular Smokin’ Buds 2 earbuds with clear housing.” A category many don’t think exists in the commissary is a good seller—healthy options. “We have recently added a variety of pouched branded vegetables to our product offering,” says Debbi Drewry, director of marketing, Union Supply Group.
“Some may think that inmates don’t want healthy things like vegetables but they add them to their pouched meals to make them complete. We offer the popular brand of Libby’s as it is a best seller and the taste can’t be beat,” she says. “Coffee is always a top seller—whether branded or private label it all sells great. Meals, meat snacks and pastries remain top categories. “An interesting, unique item we carry is the good old fashioned Kool Pops. The inmates love them and they are super easy for the commissary to carry,” she says. “They stock them on their commissary shelf and then freeze as they need them. These come in six flavors and are great for summer but they sell well year round.” Drewry concludes, “Our commis-
Recreational products like board games and playing cards are a big seller for Bob Barker.
Libby’s pouch vegetables from Union Supply Group are big with inmates looking for something healthy. VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
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sary business is our standard everyday business but we have evolved over the years into offering inmate package programs, media programs and running commissaries.”
Commissary
offerings wouldn’t be complete without beverages. “We have introduced a new line of sodas, PUSH Beverages, to our menus,” says Beth Kennedy, spokesperson for Oasis Commissary Services. “These beverages are faring very well due to the variety of the product line; PUSH Beverages offer flavors such as Cola, Orange, Iced Tea, Lemonade, and Root Beer.” “The products that consistently top our best seller list are Honey Buns and Snickers,” she says. “Honey Buns are popular because they are a cost-effective and filling snack. It is no surprise to see Snickers on the list because it is the top selling candy bar in the world.” She adds, “Over the years, we have found that brand-name products always sell well. Inmates recognize these brands, and feel comfortable purchasing these products.” Carrying a variety of brands as well as their own, Rudolph Foods recently launched a 5-ounce Pepe’s Chorizo Summer Sausage and Pepe’s Jalapeno Cheese popcorn, according to James Amatriain, regional sales manager. As the largest manufacture of Pork Rinds and Cracklins in the United States and in the business of producing pork rinds for almost 60 years, “Rudolph has provided correctional institutions with an array of pork rind flavor options, unique brands and varied package sizes to meet their specific needs,” Amatriain says. “Successful brands currently being sold into correctional institutions are Pepe’s, Southern Recipe, Lee’s and Papa Tubs. As for their popularity, he says, “Pork rind snacks are a snack 22 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
offering that will provide zero carbohydrates per serving, only 80 calories per serving and 8 grams of protein.” On the flip side of the salty snack, sweet and homemade is high on the list at Kimble’s Food. The Corn Flake Chewy has its own website, according to William Pendergraph, spokesperson for Kimble’s Commissary Service. “This homemade product is our sixth highest seller on our commissary menu, behind ramen noodles and postal items, of course.”
He notes: “Our top ‘product’ is technology and more importantly; what facilities want most—personal and responsive customer service. Our newest technology offering is a wireless tablet for the inmates. It contains the same features as a wall-mounted kiosk with the addition of games and music. We have seen high adoption rates by both the inmates and their friends and family. We believe it to be not only an efficiency and morale tool for the facility, but also an added value to the inmates and their loved ones.” Continuing in entertainment, “A hot item right now is the new Hiteker 7-inch Clear Android Tablet,” says Shari Erickson, marketing & sales, Walkenhorst's. “It features a touch screen, AC adapter included and preloaded with 100 classic eBooks, 20 preinstalled games, a calculator, a dictionary and a music player. For added security, there are no WiFi, cellular, camera, microphone or speaker features.” She furthers, “Walkenhorst’s has partnered with prisons and commissary service providers to
Top: Keefe Group partners with Skullcandy to offer the popular Smokin’ Buds 2 earbuds. Middle: Kimble Foods sells a homemade Corn Flake Chewy that rules its own website. Bottom: The newest introduction from Mars includes its Dove Fruit including cranberry, cherry, and blueberry flavors.
offer wholesale solutions for over 30 years. Our wholesale program offers free shipping on most orders with convenient telephone hours and a designated contact person dedicated to your wholesale account.” With all the varied items avail-
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able to an account, Bob Barker Company, Inc. carries many categories. “I checked with my product managers regarding commissary sales and we didn’t find any real surprises,” says Greta Modlin, ecommerce and marcom manager. Personal care continues to be the highest selling category in commissaries including items like Colgate toothpaste, a single blade security razor—clear and tamper resistant, custom kits, sanitary napkins and laundry detergent, she says. Another top popular category according to Modlin is articles of clothing, including a waterproof sandal that is lightweight to prevent use as a weapon, as well as slip-resistant and stress-tear resistant; thermals, boxers, sports bras, and socks. And always popular are recreational items: board games, playing cards, footballs and basketballs, pens and notepads. A radio—which is clear to limit the ability to hide contraband—and ear buds are another big seller, she says.
Continuing as a new top seller in commissaries is electronic cigarettes. And, making its debut at the American Corrections Association Conference August 14-19th in Indianapolis, Indiana, Developer Jamie Mosley will introduce the CrossBar NonElectronic Cigarette. “After nearly three years in development, comes a revolutionary new product that will change the industry forever: The CrossBar NEC, (Non-Electronic Cigarette),” he says. “No wires, no battery, and no vapor. The CrossBar NEC is a nicotine delivery system designed to deliver the highest level of safety and security.” Over three years ago, as the Laurel County Kentucky's elected Jailer, Mosley created an industry
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by developing the only electronic cigarette designed specifically for the corrections industry. “The CrossBar Electronic Cigarette now helps facilities all across the nation to increase revenue, reduce contraband, and improve inmate morale.” “With the popularity and rapid growth of electronic cigarettes increasing
Walkenhorst's new big seller is the clear Android tablet preloaded with books and games and featuring a calculator, dictionary and music player.
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steadily, many jails are now finding that they can generate even higher revenues by selling eCig 4 Inmate electronic cigarettes directly to their inmates instead of through their commissary service provider,” notes Kevin C. Lush, vice president/Sales & Marketing, Custom Technologies—eCig 4 Inmate. “It’s important that when choosing an electronic cigarette provider you look at the security features incorporated into the electronic cigarette as well as the
quality of the components which also include the quality of the flavor,” he adds. “Remember that taste is very important to your inmates; if the inmate doesn’t like the taste they simply won’t buy as many units, thus minimizing sales and minimizing your profits.” “As you know, electronic cigarettes have become a popular choice among smokers trying to kick the habit and inmate smokers are no exception,” notes John Slevin, self-named Instigator with
NeUll’s. “Not only have we designed a program that has the potential to make the single biggest impact on cancer in the world today, our electronic cigarette was designed purposely to meet correctional institution safety standards.” Correctional facilities are seeing the benefits of offering e-Cigs, he says, including “reduced contraband; improved health as well as morale of inmates; and increased revenue to the commissary as well as facility.” Commissaries are accustomed to handling all sorts of products, he says. “They are being asked more frequently about electronic cigarettes. Adding e-cigs should not a problem.” In fact adding any of these top popular items in the commissary—from salty to sweet snacks or e-cigs to earbuds—can drive sales from fizzle to sizzle.
For more information: NeUll’s, 844.4neulls, www.neulls.com Rudolph Foods, Inc., www.rudolphfoods.com, 1.800.241.7675, jamatran@rudolphfoods.com Oasis Inmate Commissary Services, www.oasiscommissary.com, 1.800.856.2747 Keefe Group, www.keefegroup.com, 1.800.325.8998 Union Supply Group, www.unionsupplygroup.com, 1.888.308.6466 Mars Chocolate, Advantage Sales, LLC, www.asllcnet.com, 757.204.2356 Walkenhorst’s, www.walkenhorsts.com, 1.800.660.9255 Bob Barker Company, Inc., www.bobbarker.com, 1.800.334.9880 Custom Technologies, eCig 4 Inmate, www.ecig4inmate, 1.800.672.9080 Kimble’s Commissary Service, www.kimblesfood.com, 706.884.5527, sales@kimblesfood.com CrossBar, www.smokecrossbar.com, 606.260.3668 24 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
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It sounds right out of a Coen Brothers movie. On June 6, 2015, two inmates, David Sweat and Richard Matt, were found missing from their cells at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, upstate New York. The story drew national attention not just because of the drama of two dangerous convicted murderers on the loose. From the beginning, authorities suspected there was inside help. A prison tailor, 26 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
BY MICHAEL GROHS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Joyce Mitchell, was later arrested and is alleged to have given the inmates tools and access to a cell phone. She was further alleged to have been the planned getaway driver but backed out at the last minute. Weeks later, on the afternoon of June 26, in a wooded area near Malone, Matt was shot and killed. Two days later Sweat was shot and taken into custody. Three members of the prison facility’s executive team and nine
security staff have been placed on administrative leave. Mitchell has been charged with promoting prison contraband in the first degree and fourth degree criminal facilitation. She faces eight years in prison. Once Sweat started talking, the stunning part of the story unraveled and turned from a daring escape to an apparent culture of complacency and neglect. Sweat spent almost every night through
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the winter and spring deep in the tunnels of the prison charting his way out. He had access to hand held and power tools as well as a sledge hammer. According to The New York Times, one long time correctional officer admitted to smuggling a screwdriver and pliers and performing other favors for Matt in exchange for a dozen elaborate drawings and paintings. Presumably the Clinton Correctional Facility is a bit of an outlier. While technically there are many more prison escapes than an average person might guess, most are inmates walking away from a transitional program or simply not showing up. It is actually difficult to ascertain how many prison breaks there are each year because states have different reporting standards, and the distinction is not made between Steve McQueen bundling together a makeshift raft and floating away from Devil’s Island and, as Justin Moyer of The Washington Post wrote, “a guy who doesn’t get back to a halfway house on time because he missed a bus.” What is a much bigger problem for correctional facilities is using such contraband for assaults and suicides. According to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Service, between 2009 and 2013 only one person escaped from a maximum security facility, and nine escaped from either medium or minimum security facilities. All 10 were caught within a day. In 2013 alone there were 161 attempted suicides and nearly 650 assaults on staff members. Keeping contraband out of prisons and monitoring criminal activity is a difficult task. As Andy Shu, Business Development and National Accounts Executive at Black Creek, an Irondale, Ala.-based VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
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provider of physical security and jail management systems says, “You’ve got a thousand MacGyvers in there,” a reference to the 1980s TV series. He recalls one incident in which an inmate’s sister brought her brother a belt that was not properly checked. It turned out it had a nail in the buckle with which the inmate stabbed a CO. With the increasing need for transparency in corrections, one method Black Creek uses to moni-
tor detention environments is Watch Tour Manager. This allows COs making the rounds to document everything. The recordings are time stamped and record the exact time and date an event occurred. The system uses Apple and Android technology. The devices are loaded with apps that relay information back to their software. If 10 inmates are moved from the cell block to the yard, it will all be documented in detail.
The Black Creek Watch Tour Manager allows COs making the rounds to document head counts.
Says Shu, “Every action, every activity from the officers to the inmates are logged in, documented, and recorded by the software.” Tours begin with a simple scan of the Personal Detention Assistant. Officers document watch tours by scanning bar codes of RFID tags installed at predetermined locations throughout the facility. Data include when the tour began and ended, detailed time entry of the locations checked, and the name of the officer conducting the tour. The devices also allow the officer to use drop down menus and the traditional QWERTY keyboard to input specific pieces of data. The devices also allow the use of camera and video capabilities, so if a CO witnesses an inmate trying to flush contraband down the toilet or an exchange with another inmate, the event can be recorded, so if the inmate’s lawyer, says Shu, asks why their client received an extra 30 days to their sentence, they can prove it. The system, says Shu, is designed for accountability and protection throughout. It documents both inmates’ and officers’ activities, so if an inmate claims that at an officer came to his cell in block one and assaulted him at 2AM, the data can be checked and it can be determined if the officer was present or watching cell block 28 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
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three at that time. Facilities can configure the system to their individual needs. Administrators can choose either fixed-time or frequency-based scheduling. With fixed-time scheduling, tours are configured to start at specific times. With frequency-based scheduling, tours are conducted at programmed intervals throughout the day. Tours that do not start on time, end too soon, or are not completed in the order in which they were sequenced are announced in the tour manager console in real time. When the New York jailbreak first occurred, there was speculation that the tools might have been the result of contractors who were doing work in the building. Correctional facilities do not have the same control over contractors as they do full-time employees. As the former commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction Martin Horn told Business Insider, a contractor in fear of losing his job may be less inclined to report a tool being lost or missing. One policy Black Creek is meticulous about is inventory. If something is missing, they will lock down the facility until it is found. As Shu said, there are a thousand MacGyvers in there, and anything can be used: “a screwdriver, a wrench, a rubber band or a paper clip.” There is, of course, also the matter of contraband coming in from non-employees. One way to monitor this is using products such as Metrasens’s Cellsense and Cellsense Plus, which are designed to detect cell phones. Cell phones can be used to intimidate witnesses, threaten victims, organize crimes, and, of course, plot escapes. They are also often missed by metal detectors. The technology uses a ferromagnetic detector that senses movement of ferrous metal objects. Cellsense’s uses are not limited to cell phones, though. They can also detect hard-to-find weapons, and while using a handheld wand is time consuming, Cellsense can detect up to 40 peo-
ple per minute, and it can be set up in under 30 seconds. The weapon detectors also provide identification of telecommunications equipment such as radio receivers and transceivers.
GTL’s IQ Series of investigative products offer a holistic approach to intelligence gathering, greatly increasing the likelihood that
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contraband schemes and other criminal activity will be identified. These five products—GTL Data IQ, Called Party IQ, Voice IQ, Location IQ, and Phone IQ— provide investigators with data about criminal activity and convert that data into actionable intelligence, especially when used together. For example, GTL Data IQ can draw connections between offenders’ phone calls, visitations, trust and phone deposits, commissary accounts or any data
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source, highlighting for investigators the suspicious behavior indicative of criminal activity that is difficult to catch with manpower alone. Another example is Voice IQ, which uses voice recognition technology to aid investigators seeking to identify which inmates are accessing the phones, and, as a result, better identify the participants in criminal activity. Voice IQ helps to prevent fraud and can be invaluable when investigators are seeking to prosecute inmates who have engaged in or discussed criminal activities using the facility’s phones. GTL Data IQ helps investigators to access raw data from a wide variety of disparate data sources and turn that raw data into actionable intelligence. The software utilizes patented technology to allow investigators to consolidate and draw connections between offenders’ phone calls, visitations, trust and phone deposits, commissary accounts or any data source our customers
SecureVRS bridges mandated ADA compliance with reality by providing a managed access video solution for facilities with deaf prisoners. SecureVRS enables institutions to avoid costly non-ADA compliance lawsuits without compromising the security of the facility’s communications. Come by booth 1107 to enter our daily Apple Watch giveaway and learn more.
30 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
need to analyze, thus giving them the power to detect, flag and act on suspicious or criminal behavior. The software is capable of performing a full link analysis of third-party data as well as any data from GTL’s intelligence products. From financial transactions from any source to visitation and other forms of communication, GTL Data IQ draws connections where humans can’t.
Metrasens’s Cellsense and Cellsense Plus are designed to detect cell phones but also other radio equipment as well as hard-to-find ferrous metal objects.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is introducing several tools for detecting contraband: randomizers, ion scanners, and passive alert canines. They have begun with the 11 facilities with the biggest contraband problems. Randomizers provide a biasfree way to conduct random enhanced contraband searches on anyone entering a CDCR prison. The machines are not programmable, so they cannot be programmed to pick any sequential visitor or staff member. The machine will simply randomly select which individuals will undergo an enhanced contraband search either by an ion scanner or a passive-alert canine. Ion scanners are non-intrusive tools for searching inmates, staff, and visitors as well as incoming mail and parcels. They can detect traces of drugs within a few seconds. Those who test positive are given the opportunity to wash their hands and test again. (Hand washing will not remove trace amounts of substances, but it will remove substances that resulted from cross-contamination.) The other method is using passive alert canines. The plan is to have at least three canines assigned to each prison: one aggressive-alert and two passivealert. A passive-alert dog is trained to sit and stare if they detect the odor of contraband. Aggressive alert dogs bark and scratch at an object to alert the handler to the odor of contraband. (Only passive alert dogs will be used to search people.) For employees, contractors and volunteers, the CDCR will allow the use of dogs for “air scan” searches in open areas in which they gather. A positive scan will result in a clothed body search. Refusal of the search will result in permanent exclusion from CDCR prisons, which could include termination.
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J-A 15 p32-39 facility 2_master template 7/22/15 10:42 PM Page 32
BY G.F. GUERCIO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
FACILITY SAVERS
The Hobart FT1000 flight-type dish machine provides operational cost savings through features such as Dual Rinse, Automatic Soil Removal, Auto Clean, Auto Delime, Energy Recovery and Ventless technology.
All the working areas of a facility are opportune for cost-saving measures by procedures or products—or both.
Focusing on the facility, the biggest areas to save include the biggest areas of use—energy and water. Energy cost-saving measure can be found in heating and lighting, and water savings abound in the areas of laundry and ware/tray washing. Experts in the field provide tips and techniques as well as a run-down on products that will help save those dollars. “Many facilities have been looking towards their utility costs as a way to reduce expenses,” says Darrian Petruzzi, senior business analyst, Solar America 32 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
Solutions. “As anyone involved in the industry knows, this is a large part of the budget so it makes sense to examine options for savings in this area. “At the facilities that we’ve worked with across the Midwest we help implement savings in two places, domestic hot water and space heat,” he says. “Most of these facilities rely on natural gas for their boilers, and although natural gas is relatively cheap it can still add up to quite a hefty cost when you’ve got a few thousand offenders in any given facility.” Petruzzi notes one example of
using solar energy is to pre-heat water before it goes into the boiler. “This either prevents the boiler from firing, or if it must turn on, it is typically only in low-stage. When the boiler doesn’t have to fire, that’s immediate natural gas savings.” He underscores, “We typically see a reduction of gas burn of about 50 percent in these areas with an attractive return on investment (ROI).” As for which take precedence, he notes that starting with projects that have a quick ROI—less than seven years—make the most sense from a budgetary standpoint.
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LED Illumination Savings Facilities can cut their energy and maintenance costs significantly by upgrading their lighting with energy-efficient and long lasting LED products according to Lance Bennett, vice president, Specification Sales, Eaton’s Lighting Division. “For example,” he says, “upgrading outdoor site and perimeter lighting, including flood lights, wall-mounted fixtures and area lights, from traditional HID lamp sources to LED can result in over 60 percent energy savings, while lasting 60,000 hours, reducing maintenance costs,” he says. “And adding controls can provide additional savings from 30 percent to 50 percent. Switching to LED can also improve the overall lighting quality, offering better light performance including even illumination and putting the light exactly where it’s needed.” For interior areas such as corridors, cells and dayrooms, upgrading to LED products will also provide significant reduction in energy costs, he says. “Upgrading typical troffer-type products can provide savings up to 50 percent over fluorescent lighting fixtures and coupled with a projected life of 60,000 hours, paybacks can be less than two years when dimming and utility rebates are included.” For smaller spaces, such as utility areas, electrical rooms and offices, LED products with integrated control systems allow code complaint occupancy sensing and daylight harvesting. “These factory-installed integrated control systems are gaining momentum, as these lighting products provide the lowest installed cost as compared to traditional control systems.”
Stern, Business Development, Insinger Machine Company says: “It’s really a matter of maintenance and daily cleaning procedures. Some facilities do an excellent job, some don’t.” He says the top cost-saving technique is to follow proper daily cleaning procedure, including de-liming. “Hard water build up greatly reduces the efficiency of heating devices.” And he adds, “Scrapping the ware before putting into the dishwasher will save chemicals.” Insinger’s Tray Washers were developed specifically to optimally clean and sanitize ware by reaching all the corners and crevices with a vertical spray. “Insinger manufactures the only NSF (National Science Foundation) approved tray washer in the industry,” he notes, and “removes debris from trays that standard ware washers leave behind.” And for that daily maintenance that keeps peak efficiency and costs down, wide access swing doors make quick work of it. He adds that to save another way: “It operates with only one person with the addition of the operational Tray Dryer, Tray Stacker and /or Tray Scrapper. And, to continually hold costs he says, “Check for drain leaks, solenoid leaks and The Aquawing Ozone Laundry Systems’ patented technology automatically regulates and manages the amount of ozone in the washer and notifies users when disinfection has been achieved.
Following cleaning procedures for the Trac 878 Tray Washer with security package by Insinger Machine Company will save costs as hardwater build up greatly reduces the efficiency of heating devices.
Water-saving Measures When it comes to cost-saving measures with systems using water, such as tray washers, John 34 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
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Aquawing Ozone Laundry Systems illustrates current technology and plans to release new technology that will allow administrators to remotely monitor each wash load.
the washer-extractor productivity.” For best results he says, “The Milnor ExactXtract feature will automatically detect the out-ofbalance condition and match the optimum extraction speed keeping the commercial washerextractor in operation.” The Milnor feature results in consistent higher wash productivity
keep the unit clean.” Milnor offers its own moneysaving features and techniques for its commercial washers. Says Pellerin Milnor Corporation’s C. David Carter, vice president, Strategic Accounts, “Load the commercial washer extractor to the designed ‘full capacity’; under loading a commercial washerextractor typically increases the cost of wash utilities—water, sewer, and chemicals—per pound and load of laundry, and decreases
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resulting in less cost per load processed, he adds. In addition, the Milnor commercial washer-extractors (typically the 40-pound to 160-pound capacity) offer the RinSave watersaving feature. The water-saving feature is software that allows the wash formula program to eliminate excessive rinses and interme-
Eaton’s McGraw-Edison Galleon LED luminaire has a patented, high-efficiency AccuLED Optics system providing uniform and energy conscious illumination to walkways, parking lots, etc.
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In correctional facilities across the Midwest, Solar America Solutions helps implement savings in both domestic hot water and space heat.
diate extraction steps. Carter details the technology: “This innovative process allows a precise high G-Force to ‘sling’ the wash liquor—including water, chemistry, and soil— out of the goods between the last wash step and the following rinse cycle. The RinSave software provides the capability to reduce the water consumption up to .4 gallons per pound of goods processed and by eliminating up to two dedicated rinse steps that can save up to 10 minutes per load.” He adds, “These two saving opportunities present real cost savings for every wash load.” For dish machines “using only 58 gallons of final rinse per hour with superior wash and rinse results, the Hobart FT1000 flight-type dish machine provides operational cost savings of up to $26,000 annually through features such as Dual Rinse, Automatic Soil Removal, Auto Clean, Auto Delime, Energy Recovery and Ventless technology,” says Megan Dyer, product line manager – Hobart Warewash. “The Hobart FT1000 uses Energy Recovery technology, which captures waste air that would otherwise be vented out of the building and uses it to preheat an incoming cold water line, supplying water to the booster heater for the final rinse. This reduces the load on the building’s hot water heater and allows the machine to operate with a cold water line, using hot water only for the initial fill.” She adds that that the Ventless Technology provides the lowest total cost of ownership, capturing waste air to help power the wash tank, blower dryer and supply additional energy to the booster heater for the final rinse. “This feature saves over 44 kilowatts and also allows the machine to operate without a direct vent connection.” Automatic Cleaning and Deliming cycles on the FT1000 also provide labor and chemical savings by automating these processes and reducing delime solution consumption by up to 50 percent, she says. “Another cost-saving feature is Automatic Soil Removal, which reduces chemical consumption by up to 25 percent by isolating fats, oils and starches in a dedicated tank and pumping solids to an easyto-remove external scrap basket; this eliminates 80 percent of food soil before it reaches the prewash tank, requiring less tank refills per day.” 36 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
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Disinfection Detection The laundry is often overlooked, but can represent as much as 30 percent of utilities at a correctional facility says Ralph Daniels, CEO/President, Aquawing Ozone Laundry Systems and GreenPrisons.org board member. “The Aquawing system provides a quick ROI by reducing hot water up to 90 percent and total water by as much as 35 percent. In addition, Aquawing is the only Ozone Laundry System that is clinically validated to kill viruses and superbugs like MRSA and C. diff. on every wash load. Aquawing not only saves money, but it is a safer process for inmates, personnel and approved by CDC (Center for Disease Control).” “With the Aquawing patented Variable Ozone technology, we are the only system that automatically regulates and manages the amount of ozone in the washer. Not only that, but the Aquawing Patented Validated Ozone (VO3) actually notifies users when disinfection has been achieved on every wash load. Without this, users have no idea if the proper amounts of ozone are going into the washers for the correct amount of time.” He adds, “Furthermore, we will be releasing a new technology by the end of the year that will allow administrators to remotely monitor each wash load, verifying and recording a multitude of variables.” “Federal and State Correctional facilities are moving more and more into retrofit systems for
In addition to saving on wash temperatures, water use, chemical use and drying time, Wet-Tech can save on the footprint. The EnviroSaver II ozone system allows the installation of up to four generators in this cabinet for four individual wash machines that vary in size from 30 to 180 pounds.
their in-house laundries, says Jack J. Reiff, President, Wet-Tech. “The pay back in reduced wash temperatures, reduced water use, reduced chemical use and quicker drying all add to a quick ROI (return on investment).” He adds, “They have found that the sanitary conditions have improved by getting rid of jock itch, bed sores and foul odors through the use of ozone. In a correctional facility, MRSA kill is the big issue” and a big saver when it comes to health. “Wet-Tech’s shorter wash formulas save production time and operating energy by about 25 per-
cent,” he says, and the reduced dependence on hot water can save up to 80 percent of the hot water presently consumed in a normal wash program. “Wet-Tech’s proprietary cell design eliminates the need for ORP (oxidation reduction potential) meter controls on the ozone generator. This eliminates service and calibration time for ORP performance. Wet-Tech does not use pumps, holding tanks, contact towers or oxygen concentrators— all high maintenance items—for ozone infusion in to the wash wheel,” he says. Wet-Tech uses proprietary-designed stainless steel diffusers for small-bubble ozone infusion to provide longterm performance. Long-term cost savings in energy and water are the goals of every facility and tweaking procedures or adding products can deliver the end result. For more information: Aquawing Ozone Laundry Systems, www.aquawingozone.com, 1.888.296.4777, info@aquawingozone.com Hobart, www.hobartcorp.com, 1.888.446.2278 Pellerin Milnor Corporation, www.milnor.com, 504.467.9591 Eaton, www.eaton.com/lighting, 770.486.4800, TalkToUs@Eaton.com Insinger Machine Company, www.insingermachine.com, 800.344.4802 Solar America Solutions, www.solaramericasolutions.com, 317.688.8581 Wet-Tech, www.Wet-Tech.com, 508.831.4229
The V-series lineup from Pellerin Milnor Corporation offers features which automatically detect out-of-balance conditions and adjust to keep the unit operating for higher wash. 38 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
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BY DONNA ROGERS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Indiana trains offenders in job sectors pertinent to employment post release, such as warehousing, restaurant workers, or even coal miners, as Indiana is the nation’s eighthlargest producer of coal.
Education’s Impact on Recidivism Studies have shown that education and employment help reduce the return to prison OVER THE PAST SEVERAL decades, education of inmates is sometimes viewed by the public and, perhaps also by political leaders, as an extravagance. The recession of 2008 further cut educational offerings that were available to offenders. Although today most state prison facilities offer some form of education, participation rates vary and, in fact, have declined somewhat over 40 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
time, according to a RAND study conducted in 2013. Sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Statistics with funding from the Second Chance Act of 2007, the RAND Correctional Education Project offers the most comprehensive research in evaluating education methods carried out to date. RAND Corporation, a nonpartisan public policy think tank, in cooperation with the Correctional
Education Association, a nonprofit professional organization, reported that lack of rehabilitation, that is, a lack of knowledge, skills and training, has led to a revolving door of recidivism for our nation’s 2 million adults that are incarcerated in U.S. prisons each year. Of those, more than 700,000 annually are released from federal and state prisons and are returned to communities. Regrettably, within
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Indiana DOC has participates in ARAMARK’s IN2WORK multiphase food service program, and since has had 1,000 completers of the program and 17 exoffenders hired by Aramark.
three years, 40 percent will be reincarcerated. RAND Corporation was asked to comprehensively examine the current state of correctional education for incarcerated adults and juveniles and where it is headed, which correctional education programs are effective, and how effective programs can be implemented across different settings. One key task in that effort was to comprehensively review the scientific literature and conduct a meta-analysis to synthesize the findings from multiple studies about the effectiveness of correctional education programs in helping to reduce recidivism and improve employment outcomes. The RAND project, which consists of a body of research and a series of articles, found that correctional education (CE) programs improved by a significant percentage the number of inmates that did not return to prison. In one study, Evaluating the Effectiveness of Correctional Education, authors undertook a meta-analysis to examine the association between correctional education and reductions in recidivism, improvements in employment after release from prison, and learning in math and in reading.
The study found that 84 percent of state correctional institutions offer some type of correctional education programming. Data from the BJS 2005 Census of State and Federal Correctional Facilities indicate that 66 percent of state correctional facilities offered literacy or 1st–4th grade education programs, 64 percent offered 5th–8th grade education programs, 76 percent offered secondary or GED, 50 percent offered vocational training, 33 percent offered special education, and 33 percent offered college courses (Stephan, 2008). Although most state prison facilities offer some form of education, participation rates vary. The RAND study furthered, in 2004, 52 percent of state prison inmates reported having participated in a correctional education program since admission to a correctional facility (Harlow, 2003). Only 27 percent of state prison inmates reported having participated in vocational training programs; 19 percent reported having participated in secondary education programs (i.e., high school/GED); 2 percent in adult basic education; and 7 percent in adult postsecondary education programs (Crayton and Neusteter, 2008).
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Study: Education Reduces Recidivism The RAND meta-analytic findings provide support for the premise that receiving correctional education while incarcerated reduces an individual’s risk of recidivating after release. The report states that: “After examining the higher-quality research studies, we found that, on average, inmates who participated in correctional education programs had 43 percent lower odds of recidivating than inmates who did not…. This translates into a reduction in the risk of recidivating of 13 percentage points for those who participate in correctional education programs versus those who do not.” Education was also shown to improve inmates’ chances of obtaining employment after release, and employment has been shown to have a positive impact on recidivism rates. The odds of obtaining employment post-release among inmates who participated in either academic or vocational correctional education was 13 percent higher than the odds for those who did not participate. In addition, it was found that “those who participated in vocational training were 28 perCORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015 41
cent more likely to be employed after release from prison than those who did not receive such training.” While education of inmates has been to generally on the decline up to 2008 in state and federal facilities for various reasons, the report states, some departments have bucked the trend. These departments are conducting research and analysis, and with that data are providing strong educational programs that include academics and vocational programs relevant in today’s job marketplace.
Indiana DOC Research John Nally, Ed.D., Director of Education for the Indiana Department of Correction and Susan Lockwood, Ed.D., Director of Juvenile Education for the Indiana Department of Correction, have been studying correctional education for most of their working careers. In 2012 they conducted a comprehensive study that followed inmates released from Indiana state prisons with strong results toward education, including vocational training. The Indiana study followed 6,561 inmates who were released throughout 2005 from Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) custody. The authors conducted a five-year longitudinal study (2005-2009) to examine a variety of issues relevant to those released Indiana offenders, including a comparison of the level of inmate’s education to post release employment. A subsequent article “A Comprehensive Study on Postrelease Employment Among Offenders in Indiana” began with the premise that post release employment is the most important predictor of successful reentry or recidivism. “The study provided clear evidence that employment is a major predictor of recidivism,” emphasizes Dr. Nally. “Specifically, an unemployed offender was 1.5 times more like42 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
More than 700,000 offenders annually are released from federal and state prisons and are returned to communities. Regrettably, within three years, 40 percent will be reincarcerated. ly to become a recidivist offender compared to an offender who was employed post-release.” “The results of the study also demonstrated that an offender who had not participated in any correctional education programs during incarceration is approximately 3.7 times more likely to become a recidivist offender when compared to an offender who has participated in a variety of correctional education programs during incarceration,” he furthers. The Indiana study further showed that recidivism was greatly reduced based on the offender participating educational programs. “The study found the recidivism rate is 29.7 percent among offenders who participated in a variety of correctional education programs,” he said in an email. “Conversely, the recidivism rate reached 67.8 percent among individuals who declined to participate in any correctional education programs. “An offender’s level of formal educational attainment while incarcerated is an important element for reentry because it has a simultaneous effect on both postrelease employment and recidivism,” Dr. Nally states. He said, however, that evidence does not support academic or vocational training exclusively. “To date, we have found it almost impossible to determine with consistent reliability and validity which program has the impact on recidivism.
Low Wages Among the Employed The study also painted a bleak picture of employment/wages. With information provided by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) the Indiana report stated that of those released in 2005 62.4% had been employed in a variety of establishment sectors for at least one quarter in any given year during the study period of 2005 to 2009. On the other hand, 37.6% had never been employed since release from prison. Further, the study underscored that of those employed, about 50% were earning less than $5,000 annually, and only a small percentage (between 3%5%) were earning between $30,000 and $39,000 a year. This type of low wage would seem to make it difficult to sustain life on the outside.
Job Sector Shift With information from the DWD, Nally, at al. also reviewed the types of job sectors inmates were employed in, with the intention that Indiana DOC would provide vocational training in those areas. Using a federal classification system to track post-release employment among offenders released during the study’s timeframe, researchers found that lodging and food service, and temporary help services
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compared with 35.6% with a college degree who were unemployed (see table below).
Job Sectors that Employed Offenders After Release from Prison By percentage JOB SECTOR
2006
2009
0.3
0.2
Construction
13.8
9.0
Manufacturing
20.7
13.5
Wholesale or Retail
16.4
14.8
Temporary Help Services
26.9
22.8
Lodging and Food Services
12.6
21.4
Agriculture, Fishing or Mining
Repair and Maintenance
2.2
3.9
Other Employments
7.2
14.4
Indiana’s Extensive Programs
An Indiana DOC study found that from 2006 to 2009 construction jobs diminished while food service rose, providing data to adjust vocational offerings.
were the top employers, while manufacturing and wholesale and retail jobs were strong contenders as well. The Nally, Lockwood study found the numbers of types of jobs were shifting, an important consideration for the development of vocational training programming. For example, at the time of the study, construction jobs slipped from about 14% to 9%; manufacturing fell from about 21% to 14%; but lodging and food service increased from about 13% to 21%. Temporary help services remained a strong employment area, with upwards of 23% of offenders employed in
that area (see table above). Furthermore, researchers found that the length of employment among employed offenders was progressively longer for those with a high school diploma or GED and for those with a college degree. Among those who had an education below high school, only 11.1% were employed for 13 quarters or more, while for those with a H.S diploma or equivalent 16.3% were employed for 13 quarters or more. For those with a college degree, 26.7% were employed for the same number of quarters. For nonviolent offenders, it was found that 42.3% of offender with less than H.S were unemployed
Demographic Characteristics of Nonviolent Offenders BELOW HS
HS
COLLEGE
Employment Status Unemployed Employed
491 (42.3%) 670 (57.7%)
645 (34.8%) 1211 (65.2%)
52 (35.6%) 94 (64.4%)
Recidivism Status Non-recidivist Recidivist
501 (43.25) 660 (56.8%)
974 (52.5%) 882 (47.5%)
98 (67.1%) 48 (32.9%)
The Indiana study showed that increasing education levels for nonviolent offenders improved both employment and recidivism levels. 44 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
According to a September 2014 article by Lockwood, Nally et al. in the Journal of Correctional Education, researchers consistently indicate that postrelease employment is the most important predictor of recidivism. With that research directing its programming, the IDOC put into place a variety of academic educational programs, short-term vocational programs and also employ inmates in market meaningful prison industries jobs. Fortunately multiple state agencies participate in funding their programs, says Nally, and the primary funding source for adult prisons is a line item in the budget. Dr. Susan Lockwood, one of the study’s authors, says that as the education program began to grow, ”just about everybody got on the train.” Nally also points to the state’s decision to allow incarcerated adults to receive access to the same short-term career training programs as their peers on the streets through the Indiana DWD. It provided support and funding for incarcerated adults to access the State’s short-term occupational training (WorkINdiana) with industry-recognized certification in six industry sectors.
Hospitality/Food Services The Indiana study revealed that one of the most dependable job sectors for employment postrelease was the hospitality/food services industry. Using the research results to re-design the delivery model, divisions within IDOC as well as outside state agencies, agency partners, and Indiana-based colleges partnered to increase the scope and intensity of the Department’s traditional culinary arts programs. VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
Built around the existing culinary arts program, in 2005 Indiana began participating in ARAMARK’s IN2WORK multiphase food service program. Since 2007 Indiana has had over 1,000 completers of the program. Aramark has also hired 17 offenders who have graduated the program in Indiana to join its staff. The WorkINdiana program allows an individual to earn a high school equivalency certificate or improve skills in an Adult Education classroom, and earn a career certificate. In addition to certification, each of those completing the program receives six college credit hours. In addition to food service among this program’s occupations are: administrative assistant, automotive service technician, certified nurse aide, emergency medical technician, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, production worker and underground coal miner. IDOC also offers traditional non mandatory educational pro-
grams from Adult Basic Education to GED and postsecondary education. To incentivize inmates to partake, Indiana law allows credit time for completion of educational programs. For instance, inmates receive six months credit for completion of High School Equivalency and one-year credit for completion of an Associates degree. IDOC’s adult education program has an average daily enrollment of 2,500. Beyond the traditional, one of IDOC’s newer innovative programs is called H.I.R.E. (Hoosier Initiative for Re-Entry), notes Nally. It consists of a team of fulltime employment specialists specifically trained and positioned to move inmates from prison to the workplace. The process starts inside prior to release and continues to the streets with inmates working with the same individuals from start to finish. To date in 2015 the HIRE program has placed 742 former
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inmates in jobs, while working with 180 unique businesses. The average hourly wage is $10.12 per hour and the three-month average retention rate from January to March was 95%. Finally, Drs. Nally and Lockwood reference another fledgling program in which the IDOC identifies offenders while they are incarcerated and create a pathway to a transitional job immediately upon release. The idea is to set up an opportunity for employment for six months to a year post-release so exoffenders can work closer to where they live, and begin to transition to the private sector. A differentiating factor, the program encompasses not only employment but one day a week “soft skills services,” i.e., life skills training, are brought to them, “so not to interrupt their work and [classes] are not such a barrier to them to hold a job,” details Lockwood. They are paid a sustainable wage, and the target jobs
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Certificates can be earned using Jail Education Solutions’ platform on tablets.
include certain sectors that are proven to hire ex-offenders, such as warehousing and coal mining. Thus far 150 ex-offenders have gone through this program with another 150 anticipated to enter it in July.
eral public. All new programs lead to either college certifications or AA degrees and all college credits are fully transferable to state colleges and most state universities. What is changing is that CDCR is encouraging face-to-face classes instead of correspondence courses. The new pilot study will be similar to all other new programs, OCE notes, but “we will be working with inmates in re-entry
CDCR’s New Fall Offering In California, the corrections department has had an extensive offering of academic, cognitive and vocational programs over the past few years (see CF’s March/April story, “The R in Rehabilitation is Real”), and a pilot program will expand the offerings in the fall semester. As of now, there are 44,000 incarcerated students participating in academic courses across the state, according to CDCR’s Office of Correctional Education. In FY 2014/15 over 1,700 offenders completed academic education programs. In addition to academics, CDCR also offers 19 Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. These programs are reported at full capacity currently with more 8,500 inmates enrolled, and more than 1,500 graduated this past year. Certifications are offered in such programs as Business Office Procedures, Welding, HVAC and others. To pay for college courses, inmates can quality for a Board of Governor's Fee Waiver to attend community college (only leading to an AA degree). In the past classes were restricted to correspondence courses through U.S mail, the OCE explained in an email. Funding is provided at the same rate as is offered to the gen46 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
Education categories offered by Jail Education Solutions.
hubs, allowing us to better track students in the community.” Currently, 95% of its 6,730 college students are enrolled in one of four California Community College Correspondence programs (Coastline, Feather River, Palo Verde, and Lassen) due to the fact that the CCCCO provides opportunities for grant monies at community colleges. Students are otherwise responsible for their
education costs through scholarships and personal loans. To provide additional assistance, CDCR has begun rolling out 7,500 eReader tablets to inmates participating in college correspondence courses, which they say could help reduce the cost of textbooks.
Technology Outcomes Higher The RAND study mentioned above also examined statistics regarding the outcomes of computer-assisted learning compared with only face-to-face learning. It found that inmates exposed to computer-assisted instruction learned slightly more in reading and substantially more in math in the same amount of instructional time. In Indiana, IDOC, Oakland City University, and American Prison Data Systems (APDS) recently partnered in a pilot program to provide educational tablets to a maximum security girls’ prison in Madison, Ind. Early success indicators include more time spent on programming (the tablets are available to the girls for more than 10 hours per day); better behavior and reduced violence (tablets act as a behavior modification tool— girls turn to their tablets to moder-
Overview of the Edovo educational platform, showing a sample of offender course offerings, library and points earned toward movies, games and music. VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
ate their behavior instead of lashing out); and earlier engagement in rehabilitation (given the tablet's unique capabilities, health staff can see what rehabilitation content the girls engage with and tailor their intervention accordingly). Warden Tim Greathouse, the teachers, and the staff now regard the APDS tablets as an indispensable part of the rehabilitation and education process. Given the pilot's success the state is now considering expanding to other facilities.
New Trend in Tablets The correctional educational company Jail Education Solutions has available a secure 7-inch tablet in a hardened case for incarcerated students. Through its platform Edovo, the company provides an incentive-based learning program that offers over 300+ courses (+2000 hrs.) in which inmates can learn everything from K-12 academics to college course work, vocational job, social development and life skills. This includes comprehensive GED, HiSet and other high school equivalency program prep and practice tests from wellrecognized and established testing programs, ESL, literacy, etc. “We have an extensive content partner list of programs for the incarcerated that are vetted by measurable success and outcome data,” notes COO Carl Alguire. Additional programming encompasses religion, working with the court, parenting while incarcerated, meditation, anger management and others. Using tablets that are “widely available where they spend the bulk of their time—dorm rooms, day rooms, classrooms, even in the cell if connectivity is available,” says Alguire, makes it easier to offer education to more offenders. He explains that using this program, inmates are also incentivized to learn by earning points to watch movies, listen to music, play games or look at a magazine. Funding is achieved in various ways. Tablets can be purchased out
Female offenders in the Building Maintenance classroom at Indiana’s Rockville Correctional Facility learn carpentry, basic plumbing, electrical and framing.
of inmate welfare funds, community block grants or other state or federal funding and given to inmates free of charge, or even rented for a nominal daily fee. Thus far the company has 500+ tablets in place in four facilities in California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, with four more facilities scheduled to come online in July.
Analytics to Lower Recidivism IDOC has another progressive program. In 2014 the state of Indiana partnered with SAP Solutions to create the Management and Performance Hub (MPH) to provide analytical data to assist with the re-entry of exoffenders. Its recidivism project started in mid-April, and efforts thus far have focused on collecting data for the study and developing a novel, rigorous statistical model that allows near real-time comparative analysis of recidivist populations at a highly granular level using modern analytical techniques, says Sara Marshall, director of Business Intelligence & Analytics, Indiana Office of Management and Budget. The first phase of this effort has a research and development focus and will last through mid-August,
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she says. “It is aimed to create and place tools in the hands of government decision-makers.”
The Take-away Education, whether academic or vocational, is meaningful to assist ex-offenders attain sustainable wage jobs and to lower recidivism rates. Dr. Nally sums it up: “The take-away for us as managers was this: As formal education attainment while incarcerated goes up, the likelihood of employment post-release goes up. In other words the Number One predictor of post-release employment was completion of a wide variety of traditional education programs. And, the Number One predictor for NOT returning to prison was employment. “The current incarceration model with its high rate of recidivism is not sustainable. If we don’t somehow reduce the number of those incarcerated and we continue this pattern, it is not good for society.” He concludes: “I don’t think it serves society well to exclude citizens from a formal education program. That obligation should not end at the prison door. Regardless of where they sleep at night they should still be able to get an education.” CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015 47
BY DONNA ROGERS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SCRATCHING THE SURFACE
Black Creek’s IP Visitor Video Visitation System is a single solution for both onpremise and off-premise visiting.
With the ability to connect via the web, video applications for offender visits are only beginning to delve into the possibilities. ike Skype and FaceTime, video calls continue to go mainstream globally. Benefits in saving inmate transport costs and reducing contraband lead the reasons more agencies employ video every year. There are some drawbacks, however, including the premise that in-person visits can be more meaningful to the inmate and family. In fact, many counties are starting to eliminate in-person visits and building new jails with no space for them. This is not always desirable and it is being reversed in some
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instances. This past May, the Texas Senate passed and sent to Gov. Greg Abbott a bill that requires county jail inmates be allowed a minimum of two inperson non-contact visitation periods per week, reported a May 25 news story on KTXS/abc news with contribution from the Associated Press. (The bill exempts 21 Texas counties that have built new jails or are already planning buildings that don't include visitation space.) Advocates say it's important to allow inmates to be able to visit family in person while incarcerat-
ed. And they complain that one company that supplies video equipment requires counties to eliminate in-person contact as part of the contract. That company, the communications giant, Securus, has had three separate lawsuits filed against it since mid-2014, directly pertaining to its practice of requiring jails to eliminate in-person visits in favor of video visits. That complaint was in fact recently reversed. In a statement published May 6 by International Business Time, Securus chief executive Richard Smith said the compa-
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Telmate’s SmartJail Solution includes video visits, phones, messaging, photo sharing and a host of entertainment and education content.
ny has amended its contract language so that it will no longer obligate jails to remove “person-toperson contact” in favor of its video technology. Another drawback, despite the commonly-made technological comparison, says a January 2015 story “Screening Out Family Time: The for-profit video visitation industry in prisons and jails“ by the Prison Policy Initiative, “video visitation technology is not as reliable as widely-used video services such as Skype or FaceTime, and if video visitation is going to be the only option that some families have, it is nowhere near good enough.” Families it interviewed who use onsite and offsite video visitation, including those who are experienced Skype and FaceTime users, consistently complain of freezes, audio lags, and pixelated screens in video visitation. The article cites instances of video visits that freeze for up to a full minute and video calls that can lose up to five minutes due to freezes. Five minutes of a 20minute call is precious, complained one mother of an inmate. 50 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
On the Rise Despite the challenges, some seemingly justified, the technology is taking root in correctional facilities due to its savings in manpower, costs, increased security, and convenience for families. “Video visitation has become more widely accepted and implemented in the last year, which is the continuation of an upward trend over the last three to five years,” says David Henion, vice president—Visitation Sales, Global Tel*Link (GTL). Video visitation has grown tremendously in the last few years because it benefits not only the facility but also inmates and friends and family, concurs another provider of video visitation, Telmate. The company points out that instead of just hearing someone on the phone, a video visit experience offers a more personal and human interaction. One of the strongest arguments for the increasing use of video is the savings in manpower. Most of this savings comes from the elimination of routine escorting practices: the need of
several officers to pick up an inmate, walk them to visitation, wait the 30 to 60 minutes for the visit to end, escort the inmate back to their cell, and repeat with other inmates for six to 10 hours each day, points out Henion. He notes agencies have reported “the move to video visitation has reduced labor costs by upwards of 30 percent to 40 percent by reallocating staff.” Numbers show it is catching on. As of 2014, more than 500 facilities in 43 states and the District of Columbia are experimenting with video visitation. Much of this growth has occurred in the last two to three years as prison and jail telephone companies have started to bundle video visitation into phone contracts, according to a study cited in the Prison Policy Initiative article. Ironically, the study furthers, video visitation is the least prevalent in state prisons, where it would be the most useful given the remote locations of such facilities, and the most common in county jails where the potential benefits are fewer.
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While many phone companies are bundling services, one company that offers standalone video points out that corrections agencies need not be limited to the system the phone company owns. In business over 35 years, Black Creek Integrated Systems president Ike Newton says: “There are far more capable systems out there—owners should look into the capabilities of the systems and shouldn’t arbitrarily accept the systems offered by the phone company.”
Acceptance By Region Acceptance of video visitation differs greatly by region of the country, notes Henion of GTL. Taking a historical view, acceptance of video visitation began in the Southeast in the mid-90s, and is widespread in Florida and other states in that region. It continued up to the Midwest, and then eventually spread out to the West coast in the last 12 to 18 months, he points out. “The Northeast is still the last frontier with regard to accepting video as a visitation method.”
Trend in Remote Visits Continues The trend continues to be “athome” or internet visitation, furthers Henion. “While there has been controversy surrounding some vendors and their practice of eliminating on-site visitation in favor of revenue-generating athome visits, others, GTL included, position Internet Visitation, or those at-home visits, as an alternative means of visitation to accommodate those that have constraints associated with work, child care, travel or simply time.” Black Creek likewise offers both options, and reports its IP Visitor Video Visitation System is a single solution for both onpremise and off-premise visiting. The true value of any video visi-
tation system is measured by the capabilities of its software, and its software suite has a high level of sophistication, says Newton. “We have a single suite of software that handles all visitation requirements of a facility—schedule configurations, the ability to enroll visitors, check for wants and warrants on those visitors, and the ability to record visits and to save it for extended period of time,” furthers Newton. “The ability to control the interface between the inmate and the public, and to control it with a high degree of security and with minimal staff involvement is very important.”
The New Frontier: Mobility “The new frontier within both the jail and prison systems is in mobility,” emphasizes Henion. “Tablets are at the cutting edge of correctional technology, and as an industry we are just beginning to scratch the surface of how to implement them. These devices are going to change the rehabilitation process and will likely be a key player in helping to reduce recidivism going forward.” Mobile jail technology is changing the way jails manage their operations, concurs Jeff Hansen, chief marketing officer, Telmate. In fact, last month the 2015 National Sheriff Association Annual Conference featured a panel of experts to showcase the impact of mobile technology in corrections. A Lake County, Indiana, panel of experts introduced ways they are leveraging mobile jail technology with Telmate’s SmartJail Solution. The SmartJail Solution includes video visits, phones, messaging, photo sharing and a host of entertainment and education content; it is the only all digital, VoIP solution in the industry. Technology has been found to have a positive effect on inmate behavior. One of the panelists, Dr. Shaun Wehle, director of Mental Health for Lake County Jail
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reports the introduction of mobile technology for his inmates has had a significant impact on their behavior and well-being. “It’s imperative for us to detect behavioral tendencies to prevent inmates from doing harm toward themselves or others,” said Wehle, “but more importantly, Telmate allows us to be more proactive in managing inmate behavior with its wide range of communications tools, entertainment content and information resources.”
Going Forward Telmate foresees continuing to grow in the mobile technology realm, recently having announced a record-breaking 3.5 million minutes per month of total inmate tablet usage. To date, Telmate Tablets have been installed in over 25 facilities nationwide, and the numbers continue to grow. The company predicts increases in the adoption of the Telmate Tablet, which will allow friends and family to have more options when connecting with loved ones. They also anticipate an uptick in video content that will help facilitate reentry programs ranging from education, job skills, personal development and telepsychiatry. “With the advancements in telemedicine via tablet technology, biofeedback, and the various developing technologies, there is unlimited potential for tablet technologies to manage behavior and transform physical and psychological wellness,” Dr. Wehle said, adding: “We are just beginning to scratch the surface of the potential of this form of technology.” “Content, or apps, is where we will see the biggest growth in the next two to three years and is the truly exciting part of this product introduction,” concurs Henion. “We are currently working to introduce educational material, books, music, games, email and other services that can be delivered right into the palm of the inmate’s hand.” CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015 51
PHOTO COURTESY OF SCRAM SYSTEMS
BY MICHAEL GROHS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE SUPERVISION ADVANCED MONITORING TOOLS ccording to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 16.6 million Americans have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Nearly 88,000 people in the U.S. die annually as a result of alcoholrelated causes, making it the third most preventable cause of death. In 2013 alone, alcohol related car fatalities accounted for more than 10,000 deaths. The financial burden is enormous. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2006, alcohol misuse problems cost the U.S. $223.5 billion—more than the current GDP of Ireland. There is also a burden on families. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that more
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than 10% of children (7.5 million) live with a parent who has an AUD. Naturally a percentage of those cases end up in the criminal or family court system, and supervising someone with an AUD can be a challenging task and require a multitude of considerations and options. Addiction is a cunning disease, and it fights to survive. As Steven Paymer of Paymer Associates, a Trumbull, Conn.-based full service drug and alcohol monitoring firm says, “Alcohol has always been a problem.” There are many devices available to monitor alcohol use. Interlock Ignition Devices (IIDs) have proven to lower recidivism rates when installed, and numerous programs such as alcohol and
drug monitoring systems are available for courts to use to monitor an offender. SCRAM offers devices such as the Continuous Alcohol Monitoring, Remote Breath GPS, and House Arrest systems to monitor alcohol use, location, and curfew. Smart Start offers IIDs to prevent an offender from driving after drinking, and IN-HOM S.M.A.R.T. Mobile, a mobile breath device that can be taken anywhere. Alcohol and drug use can be successfully monitored. One of the methods used by Paymer Associates includes the drug sweat patch. It works much like a nicotine patch and is placed on the arm, midriff, or back, which makes it unnoticeable to others and can stay on the
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PHOTO COURTESY OF SCRAM SYSTEMS
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skin for 10 to 14 days after which it is sent to a lab for analysis. Parent drugs, as well as drug metabolites, are collected onto the patch from the sweat produced by the wearer during that time. The adhesive on the patch is designed for one time application, which makes the patch tamper proof. It is also extremely durable, and the person being tested can swim, shower, work out, and participate in everyday activities without risk of the patch coming off.
MOBILE BREATH IS UP The new trend, says Paymer, is mobile breath. Like many recent developments in the monitoring field, the devices have an embedded camera in them. The genius, says Paymer, is that the results and photo are transmitted in real time. The way the program works is that the device is given to users, which will give notification of missed tests, and action can be taken right away. Such a device can be used to monitor recovery and to assist in behavioral changes. They can eliminate the need to find a collection site and offer the opportunity to respond to relapses. AUDs are complex, and so are the laws regarding supervision. A family court might order that a user not drink around the kids but allow it at other times. Mobile breath can be used remotely to ensure an alcohol-free environment during child visitation. Mobile breath does not require any data interpretation, and embedded software can detect false positives. When someone enrolls in a program, says Paymer, they sign an agreement to wait 20 minutes after eating, drinking, or smoking to test, but when someone is testing three times a day for a year, it’s possible to become complacent. A text message might sound just as a user was brushing his teeth, and the test results would then return positive. The mobile breath testing method can follow up on that. Paymer notes 54 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
that when giving lectures he will bring a bottle of mouthwash. He tests his breath on the device and might blow a .25. He then waits for eight to 10 minutes and tests again, in which case the result will be back to zero. If such a scenario occurs in the real world, the supervisor will then know that the offender was telling the truth. When treating addiction, says Paymer, no two days are the same, and one size does not fit all. One point Paymer, a social worker for 20 years, stresses is that monitoring works, but not on its own. “If they do not have that mental and spiritual support, they will not get well.” He also explains the enlightenment one has when coming to terms with an addiction as “the quarter turn of the screw theory.” That is when someone hears the same thing over and over, such as the universally known “one day at a time” without effect, but for some reason, at one point a user will get scared enough, and that person’s ears will open and he or she will start to listen, and when someone rephrases that famous saying as “The rest of my life is contingent on what I do today,” that screw might turn. One common and successful method of alcohol monitoring is the use of IIDs. A study published by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that offenders who had an IID installed on their vehicle were at far less risk of recidivism, but simply being enrolled in a program does not often lead to long term changes in the behavior of drinking and driving. When the IIDs are removed, the recidivism rate tends to return to what it had been before installation. The Century Council, an organization funded by distillers, also believes that IID programs should include a treatment component while the device is installed to allow for the chance of behavioral changes, a policy agreed with by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
INTELLIGENT FINGERPRINTING Intelligent Fingerprinting has developed a non-invasive, fast, and cost-effective drug screening device that can test for multiple drugs in fewer than 10 minutes by analyzing trace elements of sweat found in a fingerprint. The company’s ground-breaking technology detects drug use by analyzing metabolites, which are chemicals produced by the body as a result of normal metabolic processes. The device looks for the presence of drug metabolites in the test subject’s fingerprint sweat sample and, if detected, identifies the type of drugs which have been ingested, inhaled, or injected. A future version of the device will capture a detailed image of the test subject’s fingerprint. In some cases, this image may be used to confirm personal identity in relation to the test result, ruling out false positives due to sample mix ups. The device, which will be launched in the fall of 2015, is expected to simplify drug screening in areas such as criminal justice, drug rehabilitation, and the workplace. The technique has potential for many other uses including healthcare diagnostics and homeland security applications. www.intelligentfingerprinting.com, +44 (0)1603 274413, info@intelligentfingerprinting.com
LOW COST INTERLOCK Low Cost Interlock has developed proprietary software and a computerized automated dry-gas system for ignition interlock calibrations with integrated capabilities to adjust for elevation changes and barometric pressure. Our patent-pending calibration system is fully-automated, encrypted, and error-proof. Prior to the start of the calibration procedure, the system warms the BAIID to the correct temperature to ensure that it is calibrated correctly. Once this process has initiated and the device is under-
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base and experience in this field offers our clients much more than just results. We are available to answer questions and provide insight that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere. www.paymerassociates.com, 203.445.1400, info@paymerassociates.com ®
SCRAM REMOTE BREATH
SCRAM Remote Breath® is the most flexible OPTION in breath testing. It is the first handheld, wireless, portable breath alcohol tester that includes governmentgrade facial recognition, high-resolution photos, BrAC results, and a GPS location with every test.
going calibration, LCI’s system applications inspect all parameters of the BAIID’s calibration baseline, configures the handset to accept dry-gas samples at specific concentration levels, determines the overall dry-gas consumption, and regulates the fuelcell degradation lifespan to ensure all elements of the calibration process are correct and accurate to limit all errors, thus only accurate readings are recorded. The calibration data checks are linked to each user’s monitoring data, thus LCI can prove at any time that the device was calibrated correctly through the utilization of NHTSA approved dry-gas, regulators, and transducers found on the conforming products list and the overall traceability of the certified gas standard including the gas concentration, date, and lot number. www.lowcostinterlock.com, 1.844.218.5396
PAYMER ASSOCIATES Paymer Associates is a full service drug and alcohol monitoring firm with a national reach. We offer a full suite of monitoring techniques and technology to individuals, companies, and civil and criminal courts. Customer service driven, our knowledge 56 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
Automated facial matching reduces manual photo review by 90-95%, while random, scheduled, and on-demanding testing provides more flexibility to monitor clients. www.scramsystems.com, 1.800.557.0861
with the entire SCRAM Systems® suite of electronic monitoring technologies.
SMART START SSI-20/30™ IGNITION INTERLOCK The SSI-20/30™, Smart Start’s newest model, features a bright color display screen and a userfriendly keypad. The SSI-20/30™ is roughly the size of a cell phone, with multiple testing options and quick installation. Beneficial for users and monitoring authorities alike, the SSI20/30™ offers GPS tracking, compatibility with all vehicle makes/models, upcoming test alerts, anti-circumvention features, multiple languages, integrated heater for colder weather, programmable violation levels, and immediate notification of violation to monitoring authorities. The mouthpiece is removable, so the device is always clean, and our alcohol-specific fuel cell technology ensures maximum test accuracy. Finally, the device is compatible with our Photo ID module, which allows
SCRAM HOUSE ARREST® SCRAM House Arrest is a standalone home curfew system that is built to work with today’s home communications options. SCRAM House Arrest connects with an advanced base station, which can operate over home Internet routers, standard or digital phone lines, DSL, Vonage®, or a SCRAM-provided wireless system. The system fully integrates in a single software application VISIT US AT WWW.CORRECTIONSFORUM.NET
monitoring authorities to confirm the identification of the tester through color photos of each test.
AD INDEX Page No.
IN-HOM™ S.M.A.R.T. MOBILE™ Smart Start, Inc. strives to create innovative, consumer-friendly products that maximize accuracy and accountability. The INHOM™ S.M.A.R.T. Mobile™ is a convenient battery-powered, handheld device that can be taken anywhere. It does not require mounting or installation,
but employs an inconspicuous travel case and power supply to revolutionize alcohol-monitoring. The device is portable and lightweight, with a 120-hour battery life at a typical use of 3-4 tests per day. The device is cameraequipped, with facial detection, immediate notification of violation, programmable violation levels, and customized testing schedules that allow monitoring authorities to specify test times and frequency. It offers a completely new method of alcohol monitoring. All of its products can be monitored via SmartWeb. www.smartstartinc.com, 1.800.880.3394 info@smartstartinc.com.
TEST COUNTRY TestCountry was founded in 2001 to develop direct-to-patient technology-based solutions to address one of the most pressing issues in healthcare today; the inability of consumers to obtain fast, convenient, and confidential information about their health via instant or convenient lab
based testing solutions. TestCountry also provides a wide range of services to assist in the development, and continuous improvement of corporate drug testing programs–ranging from instant drug and alcohol tests, to helping to implement a complete corporate drug testing program. The company serves a wide range of clients nationally and internationally including the construction, manufacturing, retail, transportation, education, securities, high tech, medical and general services industries. www.testcountry.com, 1.800.656.0745 info@testcountry.com
DRAGER BREATHALYZER The Dräger Interlock 7000 is an in-car breathalyzer that reinvents the traditional ignition interlock device to incorporate enhanced user features and monitoring capabilities. In addition, the intelligent camera, mouth alcohol detection, and GPS/GPRS options anticipate the compliance regulations. www.draeger.com/interlock7000, 1.800.332.6858
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Alcolock, USA .........................14 AUTOCLEAR/ Control Screening ..............29 Black Creek Integrated Systems Corp......................................9 Bob Barker..............................59 Carter Goble Lee ....................33 Chestnut Ridge Foam, Inc..............................6 Corizon .....................................7 Endur ID Incorporated ...........28 Garrett Metal Detectors.........27 Imperial Fastener ...................36 Institutional Eye Care .............58 Jinny Corp.................................6 Keefe Group ...........................60 Mars........................................25 Medi-Dose Company .............53 MHM Correctional Services, Inc..........................2 Microtronic US .......................23 Morse Watchman, Inc. ...........11 NaphCare ...............................13 NCIC Inmate Telephone Services...............................31 University of Phoenix .............43 OraSure Technologies, Inc. ....12 Pellerin Milnor........................35 Point Blank Industries ..............5 Sentry Security Fasteners, Inc. ....................37 StunCuff Enterprises, Inc.................6, 8 STV Architects, Inc ...................8 Swintec Corporation ..............39 Tidal Wave Telecom .................3 Time Keeping Systems, Inc........................55 TriActive America ...................45 Tribridge...................................9 TrinityServices Group, Inc......17 Union Supply Group ..............21 West Bend ..............................24 Western Union .......................19 Wexford Health Sources ........15 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 2015 57
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The KeyWatcher system works by securing each individual key to a Smart Key locking mechanism with built-in memory chip. This unique feature ensures that each time a key is taken from or returned to the Morse Watchmans key cabinet, the activity is recorded. Users have access to keys only as approved by the system administrator.
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Inmate Identification Solution The Secur Max wristbands are imaged using standard desk top laser printers. Producing a durable wristband is as easy as simply printing it. They are waterproof and durable right out of the printer, no need to laminate, just print them and use them. Secur Max wristbands are put on to an inmate using a simple adhesive closure, and then secured using a single use Secur Loc Clasp, this clasp requires no tools and makes the adhesive closure inaccessible, since the wristband material is specifically engineered to be stretch and tear resistant the result is a difficult to remove identification wristband.
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FISHER Walk-Through Portable M-Scope Metal Detector Single person assembly without tools. Operates approximately 40 hours on rechargeable batteries (included) or permanently when plugged into AC power.
1-800-334-9880 www.bobbarker.com
Visit www.endurid.com/corrections for more information.
ProKure™ V Advantage A revolutionary way to clean, disinfect & deodorize • Pathogen & odor control within seconds • Safe on hard and soft surfaces • Simple to use • Minimal storage space needed • No carcinogen or harmful residuals
1-800-334-9880 www.bobbarker.com
58 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JULY/AUGUST 2015
Advanced Personnel Screening The SafeView quickly creates a 3-D black and white image of the subject that reveals concealed objects. Image analysts can locate contraband, weapons, explosives, and other banned i t e m s . SafeView is designed to detect smaller and more d i f fi c u l t objects. A quick scan provides security personnel with the data they need to confidently pass an individual through a checkpoint. Visit www.sds.l-3com.com/products.htm for more information.
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