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Corrections officials meet at the ACA Conference in New Orleans to discuss latest tools and techniques. BY DONNA ROGERS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Summer ACA A staffing shortage is one of the most critical issues facing corrections and is one that will be addressed by the industry at the show.
The 152nd Congress of Correction is under way in New Orleans from August 4-7 with the exhibit floor busting with more than 175 companies revealing their latest innovations and a plethora of workshop offered by experts in their fields. These cover everything from staffing issues to reentry and include such topics as: Boomers, Slackers, and Snowflakes: Building a Multi-generational Leadership Team and Are We Fostering Recovery or Recidivism: The Importance of Boundaries in a Correctional Setting. Other relevant and up-to-date topics include Modern Transgender CORRECTIONS FORUM • SUMMER 2022
Policies: Gender Neutral Commissary and Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Education. In this piece, Corrections Forum magazine looks at some of the challenges facing corrections professionals, including staffing shortages, contraband and contagious disease, and asked exhibitors what, if anything, could be done to address these chronic issues. Here’s what they said and the tools they provide. “Critical shortages of health care and security staff necessitate developing new approaches to connecting patients with care providers,” notes Rebecca Luethy,
vice president, Strategic Development, Centurion. "Short-staffing is one of the most critical problems currently facing corrections,” concurs Paul Baze, director of sales, GUARDIAN RFID. “Its impact has caused cascading effects throughout the industry and facilities are struggling to keep up to their typical processes.” While Luethy and Baze address the shortages from different viewpoints, the former from health care, the latter from software solutions, their companies aim to improve the shortstaff situation. Luethy notes: “Centurion is on
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the cutting edge of pioneering new, portable technologies and telehealth solutions to deliver more services on site towards a health care-on-demand reality.” Baze comments: "The staff who do show up are overworked and tired, leading to logs being neglected and other tasks overlooked, further leading to increased liability. GUARDIAN RFID is proud to have created a tool that simplifies the job of every corrections professional by being able to document at the point of responsibility with ease. Our goal is to help facilities all
across the nation get more done with less work and to get your team home safe." The health of populations as well as staff has become paramount, especially brought to light by the recent crisis. “Health risks within prisons are well known, and unfortunately became worse with the pandemic,” states Dr. Cliff Yahnke, chief scientist and head of Clinical Affairs, Kenall. “Preventing the transmission of airborne-mediated disease in this environment is critical, yet very challenging.” His company’s solution? The installa-
tion of impenetrable luminaires using Indigo Clean 405nm visible LED light that “provides safe whole-room disinfection and is proven in health care settings to reduce the transmission of disease. And unlike UV disinfection,” he adds, “it does not harm people or degrade materials.” Compliance of inmates is a perennial problem, and one that tasks officers with finding a method that keeps both staff and their wards safe. Jeff Niklaus, founder of Compliant Technologies, recounts a time relayed to him by a correctional facility when his product, the G.L.O.V.E., provided that successful blend. "On March 3, 2022, our detention staff dealt with an inmate who was uncooperative and prepared to retaliate against officers who were tasked with transferring [him] to another cell. The inmate was fully prepared to defend himself physically and had wrapped clothing/linens around his head to mitigate the chemical agents he knew would be used on him. Two officers entered the cell and utilized the G.L.O.V.E. on the inmate, who immediately complied, ceased all physical actions, and began to follow officer's instructions. Both
The DedroneRapidResponse Tower can be deployed in any mobile location including remote areas to help mitigate drone traffic.
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officers had been trained on the device just the night prior and this was the first time our office had utilized this option, with excellent results,” the department asserted. The introduction of contraband into any facility in various ways is a perpetual peril. In fact, drone-based contraband delivery has been an escalating threat to prisons over the past few years as drones become cheaper to procure, simpler to pilot and have greater payload capabilities, notes Mary-Lou Smulders, CMO, Dedrone. “Drones easily circumvent traditional physical security measures at correctional facilities to deliver high-value and often disruptive goods to inmates,” she details. “Yet, while the threat of drones at correctional facilities remains top of mind for virtually all security teams, drone detection capabilities like Dedrone will enable specific facilities to actually measure their individualized drone threat and consequently design a complete system including technology, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and personnel training to mitigate that threat.” Her company is introducing a mobile tower that can house drone detection in virtually any location, no matter how remote. Of course, prior to drones, perimeter intrusion, whereas humans personally drop payloads, has been a persistent problem at facilities and it’s near impossible to spot them in the dark in the dead of night. Tom Gates, director, Sales and Marketing, details a solution by Observation Without Limits. “With OWL radars covering corrections facility perimeters and areas around perimeters, security officials can know when human actors are approaching perimeters in vehicles a half hour or more before they get close enough to deliver contraband payloads, giving significant lead time for responding to potential CORRECTIONS FORUM • SUMMER 2022
bad actors. OWL radars provide real-time surveillance, including directing cameras to ‘put eyes’ on human actors approaching fences or walls as well as for locating and recording the activities of ‘inside men’ involved in contraband activity,” Gates concludes. “Contraband has reached epi-
way regarding packaging labels, containers sitting in the ports, raw materials, etc.,” she concedes. So, how to stave off shortages in the commissary? “We do our best to get out in front of the changes by using the most consistent, dependable suppliers to ensure the commissaries are not out of stock on key items.”
Exclusive Service to Prisons
For over 30 years Union Supply Group has exclusively serviced the prison industry so we carry all items a commissary would need and then we go the extra mile of sourcing unique items, the company notes. We
Tek84, Inc.’s Intercept™ enables quick identification of threats— drugs, cell phones and more—concealed under clothing and within body cavities.
demic proportions in correctional facilities worldwide, which creates a major safety issue for prison regulators and administrators,” emphasizes Kevin Russeth, president, Tek84. His firm’s Intercept x-ray technology “combines state-of-the-art imaging technology and networking capability with a compact design for ease of use and the smallest footprint in the industry,” he says. “Intercept is also the only transmission x-ray body scanner made in the USA, a critical consideration for all highly sensitive security technologies.” Supply chain shortages during the Covid pandemic have certainly not escaped corrections departments. “Unfortunately, the current issue is constant cost increases and product unavailability,” says Debbie Drewry, director of Marketing, Union Supply Group. Its challenges have impacted everyone, “but especially the prison industry. Our suppliers run into roadblocks every step of the
keep up with the latest flavor offerings from major national manufacturers and when not available we create our own. Newer product offerings include a variety of ready-to-eat meals. Some exciting novel items include Lyndell Deans All Beef Meatballs, Jambalaya with Rice, and Beef Ribs in BBQ sauce and Beef Crumbles made with 100% beef rather than fillers and we specifically source products that meet Halal certification requirements, so they are permitted by all areas of the population. Debbi Drewry, DDrewry@unionsupplygroup.com, 310.604.4626, www.unionsupplygroup.com
Direct Debit Vending
With Keefe’s Direct-Debit Vending, inmates can instantly access funds in their accounts to
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our care. Health care in correctional settings is more than patient care, it serves all of humanity. Centurion is proud to support the thousands of correctional professionals who give of their time and talent in service to those entrusted to our care. ContactUsMarketing@teamcenturion.com, www.centurionmanagedcare.com
Eliminate Weapons Confusion
purchase products from a machine. Vending products are available 24/7/365, which leads to increased revenue. Facility benefits include increased sales and commissions, potential inmate labor programs, ability to remotely control/ disable the machine, potential behavior modification tool, product selection different from regular commissary list, supplemental service to commissary, and real-time financial transactions. We will work with each facility to deliver and install the machines and train staff on the program. Contact your account manager for more information. Keefe Group, 800.325.8998, Keefegroup.com
Contribution to Public Health
As a national leading provider of health care services to state correctional systems, Centurion believes health care services provided to incarcerated persons is a key component to overall public health. In partnership with our client agencies we pursue new, innovative methods of improving access to care and better clinical outcomes while improving the lives of the persons entrusted to
Compliant Technologies is a veteran-owned, Kentucky-based company. Our flagship product is called The G.L.O.V.E. A low optic, humane, yet fast-acting deescalation tool, it allows for seamless weapons transition, excellent weapons retention and eliminates weapons confusion, at the same time, freeing up both hands. To date our products have had over 2,000 real-world uses with a 95% first grab success rate with no officer or subject injury to date and 25% reduction in officer/subject injuries and associated costs. Our products are “game changing” and we are rapidly becoming “The New Protocol in Peace Keeping!” info@complianttechnologies.net, 859.447.0576, www.complianttechnologies.net
Mobile Counter Drone Tech
Earlier this year, Dedrone, a market leader in smart airspace security, announced the launch of its first portable detection unit, DedroneRapidResponse. Dedrone detects, identifies, locates, and analyzes nearly 300 drone types. The new solution offers Dedrone's AI-powered technology in a mobile platform attached to a tower, anywhere from 30- to
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50-feet high, that can be easily towed and maneuvered on a trailer using an SUV or truck. DedroneRapidResponse, available for use around the world, provides critical capability to ensure public safety at large events including sports, parades, concerts, large gatherings, crime scenes, police activity, and more. Using cloud-enabled software, DedroneRapidResponse pinpoints the drone, providing insights into its load and the pilot's location as soon as a drone is turned on, giving security teams a significant head start on a pilot about to fly into a “no-fly zone.” The tower is deployable in less than 30 minutes and offers a range of 5 km detection through a multi-layered solution with two cameras to track multiple drones simultaneously. Additionally, Dedrone can easily network multiple trailers to deliver optimal drone security for large public safety events. Dedrone is exhibiting at the 152nd Congress of Correction, you can find them at Booth 513. Mary-Lou Smulders, CMO, mary-lou.smulders@dedrone.com or dedrone@songuepr.com CORRECTIONS FORUM • SUMMER 2022
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AI Software Protects the ‘Thin Grey Line’
GUARDIAN RFID recently launched Command Cloud, the world’s first officer experience platform (OXP). Designed to help
protect America’s Thin Gray Line, Command Cloud maximizes the safety and security for corrections professionals and those who are in their custody by combining data from a wide range of systems, all powered by AI. It’s intended for any size and type of correctional facility that has either begun their digital transformation, or is ready to take their first steps to phasing out manual-based systems. Whether you manage 10 or 10,000 inmates, Command Cloud provides value at every level, from line staff to administration. Paul Baze, paul.baze@guardianrfid.com, 512.571.7328, www.guardianrfid.com
Disinfectant LED Lighting
Available in 3- and 4-foot lengths and a corner mount, Kenall’s MightyMac ICT combines environmental disinfection with effective, efficient lighting performance via visible LED light. Utilizing Single-Mode IndigoClean technology, the fixture blends white and 405nm indigo CORRECTIONS FORUM • SUMMER 2022
light—not UV—to provide ambient illumination that safely kills harmful bacteria when the light is on. The surface corner mount includes hinged clamshell construction to prevent contraband
concealment. The TIG-welded housing provides additional strength to help prevent attempted entry into the fixture. Ideal for cells, correctional dayrooms,
locker rooms, washrooms, restrooms, stairwells, showers, sally ports, and behavioral health areas, the MightyMac CC-ICT is designed to disinfect with the flick of the lighting switch to protect both staff and inmates. www.Kenall.com
6-inch Round Clean Light
Kenall’s 6-inch sealed, recessed, high-abuse Millenium downlight with flush lens trim uses dual-mode Indigo-Clean technology to provide safe, continuous environmental disinfection via LED light. The dual-
mode uses blended white light while the room is occupied, and switches to full Indigo mode when occupancy is not detected, for concentrated disinfection. This patented technology is independent-laboratory tested to kill harmful bacteria, including Staph, such as MRSA, and is ideal for use in high-contamination areas. It also offers Kenall’s exclusive Peace of Mind Guarantee™ against breakage. www.Kenall.com
Real-time Digital Radar
OWL Digital Radar Systems provide automated, all-weather/lighting surveillance for corrections facilities facing today’s host of physical security threats, including movement of contraband. In real time, OWL systems detect, track, and classify humans, vehicles, and drones that threaten
perimeters and sensitive areas. Then OWL systems automatically send alarms, direct cameras for visual tracking of targets, trigger security lights to shine on intruders, and instigate other actions. In essence, OWL Digital
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Earning Client Trust
Wexford Health has been implementing, staffing, and managing successful correctional health care programs for three decades. Clients trust us to maintain quality of care, generate positive patient outcomes, avoid lawsuits and negative publicity, and stay within budget. After all, isn’t that the point of contracting out your offender health care? info@wexfordhealth.com, 888-MEDMGMT (888-633-6468), www.wexfordhealth.com Radar Systems enable a new level of situational awareness and responsiveness versus physical threats on the ground and in the air—with minimal human involvement. Tom Gates, sales@owlknows.com, 256.713.5255 or 888.297.9559, www.owlknows.com
Contraband Detection Body Scanners
Contraband is a major safety and security concern in U.S. correctional facilities. High tech security pioneer Tek84, Inc.’s Intercept™ is the fastest growing x-ray body scanning solution for contraband detection. It enables
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quick identification of threats— drugs, cell phones and more— concealed under clothing and within cavities. It offers these intercept advantages: Patented imaging technology for clear, distortion-free images; Compact design for the industry’s smallest footprint (3x6 feet); Safely gener-
ates images with <1% of the power of a medical x-ray; Photo matching creates evidentiary proof linking scans with defendants; Training from certified radiology professionals. Finally, Intercept is the only transmission x-ray body scanner made in the USA. sales@tek84.com, 858.676.5382, www.tek84.com
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