- Hands-Free Money
- Prisoners Check Their Own Account
- Technology for the Visually Impaired
- North Korea Training Hackers
- This Is A Smoke-Free Environment
- New Scan Keeps Inmates Inside
- We All Need Tax Relief
- Cell phone Technology a Problem for Corrections
- Let's Go Shopping
- The Diebold Times -- Secure Handling of Inmate Currency
- Computers in Corrections: The Hint List
Technology for the Visually Impaired
Many jails across the country contact their IT Department to find out how to share programs for the handicapped. Lorain County Ohio has taken things one step further. They provide employment for the visually impaired; and with the help of CCW, they can now run their canteen management system with relative ease. CCW's Technology Associates are in the final stages of going on-line with the first Jail Canteen Control System designed specifically for, and by, the visually impaired.
Prisoners Check Their Own Account
Prisoners Check Their Own Account Officers are constantly responding to queries from inmates about their canteen accounts and whether or not their relatives made a promised deposit to their account.
Not any more at Taft Correctional Facility in California. Hooked into a KIOSK, CCW's Inmate Trust Fund System allows inmates at Taft to check their own account status using an ID card with a bar code. The system automates the process, giving inmates up-to-date information, and frees staff from the never-ending job of answering questions about an inmate's account.
Jails all across America hand out millions in cash to inmates being released on a daily basis. CCW teamed with Diebold to keep the cash safe. Utilizing a marriage between Diebold's Express Delivery XT System and CCW's Inmate Banking System, accurate to the penny, correctional staff can click a mouse and allow a secure ATM to deliver the money. The "green " is untouched by officers' hands. The money is counted out by a jail safe and delivered straight to the inmates.
North Korea Training Hackers
Communist North Korea is believed to have trained up to 600 computer hackers to launch cyberattacks against countries such as the United States and South Korea.
Computers are a rarity and Internet access is almost non-existent for most people in impoverished North Korea. However, computer experts in North Korea are trained in a five-year university course, and computer hackers are selected from these experts. North Korea's intelligence warfare capabilities have already reached the level of those in advanced countries.
This Is A Smoke-Free Environment
Last week, the Federal Bureau of Prisons became the latest to join the no-smoking movement by instituting a near-total ban on lighted tobacco in 105 prisons holding 180,000 inmates.
In some prisons where smoking has been banned, tobacco has become the black-market favorite and is quickly outpacing narcotics in sales.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons, in making its facilities smoke-free, tried to ease the change by offering smoking-cessation programs to prisoners and inmates, along with a supply of nicotine patches. Inmates must pay for their patches.
New Scan Keeps Inmates Inside
An Australian jail, the Silverwater Correctional Complex in western Sydney, has become the first in the world to install iris scanning to identify visitors before they walk behind the barbed wire and iron bars to see inmates.
Iris scanning is part of a big technology push by the Justice Department, which is installing x-ray machines and radio-frequency scanners to detect mobile phone signals coming from inside the prison.
After a trial period, there were no complaints. Visitors were able to move in and out of the jail in an average 1.5 seconds, which is a major cut in the processing time. The scanning avoids any form of contact with persons; therefore, it is less intrusive to the individual being scanned. This is a major aspect of the technology.
The technology will be assessed for usefulness for dispensing methadone to ensure doses are given only to authorized prisoners.
We All Need Tax Relief
A St. Louis man serving time at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center in Pacific was recently accused of trying give himself and his fellow inmates a different type of tax relief. While in prison in 2002, a federal indictment says he used a copying machine and correction fluid to create 66 bogus tax refund claims and file them with the Internal Revenue Service.
He doctored legitimate W-2 forms that he obtained from inmates who had worked at Steak 'n Shake and other businesses, a indictment alleges.
In all, he created bogus tax refund claims for himself and 65 other inmates, ranging from $454 to $1,867.52 each. Prosecutors estimate the cost to taxpayers at $73,352.14.
Cell phone Technology a Problem for Corrections
Corrections Officials have recently been deluged with a new form of contraband, cell phones. Officials became suspicious when a mother wrote the warden complaining about the poor reception for her son's cell phone.
Most prisons and jails in the United States have policies forbidding inmates to have cell phones. At least three states have taken the enforcement a step further by making it a crime for an inmate to have a cell phone. The authorities say they are concerned that inmates are using phones to buy drugs, intimidate witnesses, plot escapes or oversee organized crime back home.
Iowa and Pennsylvania have recently enacted similar laws. The Philidelphia authorities were alerted to a cell phone problem when a sweep of the city's three jails in 2002 turned up 61 illegal phones.
Let's Go Shopping
Inmates have now started shopping behind bars. 36 year-old Thomas Anthony is one of about 835 prisoners housed daily at a jail who fill out a Commissary Stores Order Form every Sunday. Most of the 5,200 inmates in San Diego County's seven jails carefully pencil in their choices that day for almost 200 items offered.
"There are card games over the soups," says Anthony. The $.68 Top Ramen soups, whether chili or spicy beef, are hot items on the Vista jail's inmate store list because they can be eaten, traded, loaned, or even used for extortion. Merchandise includes over-the-counter medications, skin and hair products, greeting cards, stationery, postage stamps, makeup, perfumed oil, footwear, soups, drinks, and snacks. The most expensive item is the $20 phone card.
Proceeds from store sales go into the Inmate Welfare Fund which is run by the Inmate Welfare Committee, sheriff's personnel, and members of the public. The committee also selects store merchandise and sets the convenience-store prices.
Some of that property will go into a property locker, some of it will be held for evidence, some of it will go into a cash box, and if they are going to stay a while, their money will go into a bank account. When they leave, they get their money back and on an average day, prisons and jails hand out cash and checks totaling in the millions.
With all that green money moving about and all that cash being handed out, the scene in a releasing room of a large jail can look like Friday at your downtown bank, with 20 "customers" lined up waiting for a correctional officer to give them back their clothes, rings, watches, and money.
None of these officers have been trained to be tellers or cashiers and in fact, most would rather not play the role. Mistakes can happen. Some inmates are given to much "release money and some are
shortchanged, but they are in a hurry to get out so they don't stand around and argue the point.
To solve these problems, CCW (Correctional Computers of Wisconsin), a software development company specializing in Inmate Banking Systems for use in correctional environments, came up with an idea for a marriage between CCW's KeePACCount software and the Express Delivery XT System from Diebold Incorporated, a global company with a long history of keeping things safe.
This project produced a system that keeps the jails green money safe, out of the hands of people who don't want to handle it, and into the hands of the people who own it. At the click of a mouse, correctional staff can access an inmates account, insure all their debt has been paid, and automatically close their account, then use the Express Delivery XT System to deliver the cash from a vault-like dispenser and if you like, record the transaction on digital video.
Green money that's untouched by officers hands counted out by a jail safe system and accurate to the penny--this new offering will prove to be one of the greatest loss savers, time savers, and handiest gadgets to come to the jail in a long time.
Computers in Corrections: The Hint List
By Jon Flood
Many of us remember when only scientists used computers. As time went by, we saw them move from the laboratories to the super markets. We saw them move into the banks, the brokers' offices and the hardware stores. We saw them move into the court system, lawyers' offices and law enforcement agencies and now we are seeing them move into jails and corrections.
In each of these cases, the profession that began using computers suffered. The scientists stumbled; the banks sent out ridiculous statements; hardware stores priced 10-penny nails and $500 each; and lawyers sent bills to dead people. Every company or agency that made the transition from paper and pencil to keyboard and computer has its horror stories about how they spent tens of thousands of dollars on computers that never did what they needed. In an effort to reduce the mystery, frustration, excessive costs and wasted time, the following HINT LIST has been complied. These suggestions for building better computer information systems for corrections have been developed from real world experiences and are submitted in an effort to make the job of entering the computer age easier, cheaper and less frustrating.
HINT #1 Do not rely 100 percent on a computer.
Power failures and general mechanical problems still make computers much less than ``fail safe." Staff playing with keyboards have shut down entire systems because the computer thought the ``play" was a real attempt to crack security and so it turned itself off. Hours later, the computer expert ``restored" the system, but the time in between created a paralysis, that literally shut down critical operations of the jail. Common advice coming from the field strongly recommends that even if the computer blows up, the facility should be able to conduct business in a calm and orderly fashion, keep paper forms and pencils available in case of emergency.
HINT #2 Never let a computer expert tell you what you need from a computer system.
Some computer experts are notorious for their inability to understand English and their somewhat sanctimonious style. Many live in a world of bits and bytes and speak a language that leaves most correctional people scratching their heads, wondering what they heard, and feeling a bit intimidated by all the electronic jargon. This combination of confusion and misplaced awe, has, at times, resulted in the development of computer programs that pleased the computer experts but did very little to help the correctional staff. As a professional, you know what your correctional operation needs are. You know the information you must have and you know the information it would be nice to have. But most of all, you know what you do not want, and will not use and you should make this clear to your computer people.
HINT #3 Do not keep your computer permanently linked into a phone link or other massive network system unless you know who is on the other end of the line.
In an effort to make computer systems as complex and comprehensive as possible, experts have hooked machines into network systems that span the globe. Unfortunately, large linkups allow just about anybody access to records and information and in some instances the wrong people gain access and, through honest mistake or malice, erase or alter vital records. Sharing information with other agencies is a grand idea, but it must be balanced with the responsibility to secure and protect that information.
HINT #4 Give careful attention to the wording used on computer records.
Research has shown that the printed word is often given more credibility than the spoken, and when it comes to computers, many think in one of two ways. Either they think computer information is totally ``messed up" or they think it's ``the gospel according to IBM." If a computer booking sheet shows an inmates weight at intake, a lot of people will believe that it is accurate and correct. However, that is not always the case. Often, a booking officer just asks the person being booked how much they weigh and punches in the numbers. A week later the inmate complains of brutal treatment, files a suit and gets weighted in at 20 pounds less than the computer printout as evidence of maltreatment. If your officers are estimating heights, weights, values and the like, be sure that all computer forms and printouts, say that.
HINT #5 Remember the rule of ``KISS" (keep it simple stupid).
Left to their own devices, come people have a way of taking a simple task and making it complex. They take a simple system and keep adding bells and whistles until the thing has so many moving parts and interdependent actions that the failure of one of them kills the entire system. Giant computer systems are impressive. Some people admire them for their ability to do 15 different jobs at once for 15 different departments, but in many of America's largest corporations; more people see the mega computer as a dinosaur. Large companies are unbolting their monster mainframes and replacing them with small and simple PCs; becoming more economical and efficient at the same time.
Correctional administrators are learning the same lesson. That it is sometimes faster, safer, cheaper and more efficient to use several small simple systems rather then rely on a monstrously complex one.
HINT #6 Do not expect a computer system to work perfectly the first time.
As with any tool, the operator has to get acquainted with the computer in order to use it properly. Computer programs for jails and prisons are no different. Administrators and correctional people need to recognize that the path to a really efficient and effective correctional computer system is strewn with problems, obstacles and human error. The real world process of developing computer systems that meet individual and unique correctional needs involves dealing with an ever-changing environment. Computers and software systems have come a long way, but they are still more complex than an electric razor and correctional people need to understand that perfection takes time and will involve mistakes, malfunctions and minor adjustments.
HINT #7 If your computer experts do not know anything about running a jail or correctional facility expect to spend time teaching them and make them learn.
When developing a correctional computer system, it is critical that the computer people know the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor, understand the importance of an accurate count, and recognize the standards and statues that apply to the operation of a jail or correctional institution. In some states, records must be ``segregated," certain inmate information is confidential, and specific reports must be completed on the proper form and fashion. National standards and court decisions also influence how a correctional facility will maintain its records, distribute such records and manage its information system. Whether it does that by hand, on paper, or by utilizing the technology of computers, the facility must insure that its system does the job and does it in a manner and fashion that agrees with sound correctional policy, statutes, standards and practices. When changing from pencil and paper to electronics and keyboards, its best that you and your computer people both speak the same language and understand each other's needs. If they do not understand your ``business," make them learn.
HINT #8 Do not ask computers to do everything. Some jobs are still done best by hand.
Not every piece of wood needs a power tool. Not every job needs a computer. In some instances, doing a job with the traditional pen and paper system has proven to be faster, easier, cheaper and more presentable as evidence in court. No matter what the case, computers are still not as fast and efficient as the human mind. In real life experiments, computers have taken twice as long to do some jobs and 10 times as long to find some information. Not only did they lose the race with normal people doing it by hand; they produced documents of questionable authenticity.
Medication logs are often cited as an example of poor use of computers. In many facilities, a signed form is used to show the time, date and description of any medications given. It is often filled in as the event occurs and always carries the handwritten signature or initials of the officer. It is the ultimate evidence of medication being ``distributed." It is easy to complete, and acts as a very quick reference on the history of medication. To ask a computer to do the same job requires double entry of information with the possibility of error and often a slower retrieval of particular information. Granted, for some jobs computers beat the pants off the old traditional methods, but for some jobs, they still seem to fall short.
HINT #9 One of the most important parts of a computer system is its screen. Give a lot of attention to what it looks like and how it works.
Every person who has ever worked with TV security screens knows about screen ``burn in." It occurs when the surveillance camera shoots the same picture of the same cell block-forever and ever. After a while you can turn off the camera and the screen still shows the same picture of the same cell block-screen burn in has occurred and computers screens will do the same thing.
All computer screens are not created equal. Some are amber, some are green, some are color, and some are black and white. Some are large and display large characters; some are small and give a smaller ``window of information." Their prices run from $200 to $2,000 and how they appeal to computer users varies. Screens also display a wide range of information that may not be appropriate for any and all viewers, who might be passing by. ``Tours" of citizens and other non-correctional staff are common in many institutions and allowing them full view of a computer screen filled with information may not be appropriate or in the best interest of the department. In short, and for a variety of reasons, it seems to work best if a lot of attention is given to the screen and how it works.
HINT #10 Select the first staff members to operate the computer based on their interest, ability and unique job responsibilities.
In most jails and prisons, the people who work there are nearly notorious for their computer phobia. If they type, they do it with two fingers. If you show them a computer, they have to fight a strong urge to run out of the room. Correctional people are not the only ones to display this fear, so you should expect to move slowly when introducing them to the system. It works well to select the first staff members to be trained with care.
Though a rare breed, nearly every correctional organization has a few people who are genuinely interested in playing with computers. Some can type and a growing number have taken some formal training in computer operations. Some institutions have officers who have even received degrees in programming and would love to help develop a system. These are the people to seek out regardless of their rank or specific job title. They are the people who should be the first trained and the first involved. There is no better advertisement or motivator to get staff to want to learn to use the computer system properly than to hear it from another staff member who has benefited by using the computer. Age, sex and educational background seem to have no bearing on which staff members will ``take" to the computer, however, experience seems to suggest that if a person can type they can learn computer usage faster with fewer errors and less anxiety.
HINT #11 Be patient.
It is never an easy job to begin computer operation in a jail or prison after doing the work by hand for over 100 years. It is never a picnic dealing with vendors, pleading to get a budget, or dealing with staff resistance when the announcement is make that we are going to computers." The move into computers for corrections seems not only inevitable but will probably turn out to be the most important thing that has happened to improve the professional image of the jail and of the people who work there.
Remember, one way to help the field of corrections move smoothly and effectively into the computer age, is to share information, not only about what works, but about what does not work.
Flood is with Correctional Corp. of Wisconsin. The National Sheriff December 1989-January 1990