Every inmate transport carries risk — to staff, budgets and public trust. Yet too often, agencies treat extraditions as one-off events instead of planned operations. This four-part series explores why readiness matters and how a structured approach can turn uncertainty into control.
In part one, we looked at why every agency needs an extradition readiness plan and in part two, we looked at how agencies can control overtime through strategic transport planning. This month we look at how technology can improve transport safety. Together, these insights offer a roadmap for any corrections agency looking to strengthen its operations from the inside out.
By John Comissiong
The corrections industry operates under intense scrutiny. When something goes wrong during a transport — an escape, an injury, a civil rights complaint — the questions come fast. Where was the vehicle? Who knew about the detainee’s medical needs? Was the officer properly trained? Did anyone verify the warrant?
For agencies managing extraditions and interstate transports, these questions aren’t just uncomfortable — they’re legally and operationally critical. The challenge is that many agencies are still operating with systems that weren’t designed for the complexity of modern prisoner transport, leaving gaps in documentation, communication, and accountability.
The good news is that technology has evolved significantly, and the right tools can transform how agencies manage compliance, safety, and transparency without requiring large budget increases or operational overhauls.
The documentation gap
Traditional transport documentation often relies on paper forms, phone calls, and manual record-keeping. An officer might complete a transport log at the end of a shift, medical information might be communicated verbally between facilities, and tracking a vehicle’s location requires someone to call and ask.
This creates several problems:
- Delayed information: By the time documentation is completed, critical decisions may have already been made without full context.
- Incomplete records: Manual systems depend on human memory and thoroughness.
- No real-time accountability: Supervisors can’t verify compliance or respond to issues until after the fact.
- Difficult auditing: Reconstructing what happened during a transport requires piecing together multiple sources.
When a lawsuit or investigation occurs, these gaps become glaring vulnerabilities.
Real-time tracking: GPS is the bare minimum
GPS vehicle tracking has become more affordable and accessible, but many agencies still operate without it — or use basic consumer-grade systems that weren’t designed for law enforcement needs.
Modern tracking systems purpose-built for corrections transport offer capabilities that go far beyond knowing where a vehicle is:
Route verification and compliance: The system can automatically flag deviations from approved routes, unauthorized stops, or excessive idle time. This isn’t about micromanaging officers — it’s about having objective data when questions arise.
Geofencing and automated alerts: Supervisors can set up virtual boundaries and receive notifications when vehicles enter or exit specific areas. This is particularly valuable for interstate transports crossing multiple jurisdictions.
Historical playback: When an incident occurs, agencies can review the complete movement history of a vehicle, including speeds, stops, and timeline. This objective record often proves more reliable than competing narratives.
One sheriff’s office implemented real-time tracking and found their average transport time decreased by 23%, not because officers drove faster, but because dispatchers made better routing decisions and officers could avoid problematic areas when alerted.
Digital documentation and chain of custody
Paper forms are still standard in many operations, but digital documentation systems offer significant advantages for compliance and safety:
Standardized data collection: Digital forms ensure that officers collect all required information in a consistent format. Required fields can’t be skipped, and prompts can guide officers through complex procedures.
Time-stamped records: Every entry is automatically time-stamped, creating an indisputable timeline of events. This is invaluable for both defending against false claims and identifying legitimate issues.
Photo and video documentation: Officers can document vehicle conditions, detainee property, visible injuries, or facility conditions with photos automatically attached to the transport record with metadata showing when and where they were taken.
Immediate accessibility: Supervisors, legal teams and receiving facilities can access documentation in real time rather than waiting for physical paperwork to be processed and filed.
Secure chain of custody: Digital systems can track every person who accessed or modified a record, creating an auditable trail that paper systems can’t match.
Medical information and special needs tracking
Medical emergencies during transport are among the highest-risk events agencies face. The challenge is ensuring that officers have immediate access to critical medical information without compromising HIPAA privacy requirements.
Effective systems allow agencies to:
- Flag detainees with specific medical needs (diabetes, seizure disorders, mental health crises, pregnancy).
- Provide officers with clear protocols for different medical scenarios.
- Document medical checks at appropriate intervals.
- Create automatic reminders for medication administration or medical assessments.
- Connect officers with medical professionals for real-time consultation when needed.
One critical consideration: The system should provide officers with information they need to respond appropriately without giving them access to detailed medical records they don’t need. This protects both detainee privacy and the agency from liability.
Communication and coordination platforms
Interstate transports involve coordination between multiple agencies, often across different communication systems and time zones. Dedicated communication platforms designed for corrections transport can:
Centralize information sharing: All parties involved in a transport — sending facility, receiving facility, transport officers, supervisors and legal teams — can access the same information in a timely way.
Automate status updates: Rather than requiring officers to make phone calls at each checkpoint, systems can automatically notify relevant parties when key milestones are reached.
Manage warrant verification: Digital systems can store and display warrant information, ensuring that officers have immediate access and can verify details without scrambling for paperwork.
Document inter-agency communications: When questions arise about who was told what and when, the platform provides an objective record of all communications.
Implementation considerations
Technology alone isn’t a solution — it requires thoughtful implementation.
Start with the biggest pain points: Rather than trying to digitize everything at once, identify the areas where lack of information or documentation gaps create the most risk or inefficiency.
Prioritize officer buy-in: The best system in the world is useless if officers don’t use it properly. Involve line staff in selection decisions, provide thorough training, and make sure the technology actually makes their jobs easier rather than just creating more administrative burden.
Ensure mobile accessibility: Officers need to access and update information from vehicles and remote locations. Systems that require officers to wait until they’re back at a computer defeat the purpose.
Plan for system failures: Technology fails. Have backup procedures and ensure that officers can still operate safely when systems are down.
Consider integration: Systems that don’t talk to each other create information silos. Look for platforms that can integrate with existing CAD, RMS, and jail management systems.
The transparency dividend
Beyond compliance and safety, good technology systems create transparency that builds trust with oversight bodies, the courts, and the public. When agencies can quickly provide comprehensive, objective records of their operations, it demonstrates professionalism and accountability.
This transparency also protects officers. When false accusations arise — and they do — objective records from tracking systems, body cameras and digital documentation provide clear evidence of what actually happened.
The corrections industry is moving toward greater accountability and higher standards. Technology isn’t optional anymore — it’s the foundation of modern, professional operations. Agencies that embrace the right tools position themselves to meet tomorrow’s challenges while better managing today’s risks.
Looking into the future: Compliance monitoring and auditing
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of evolving technology is the ability to monitor compliance proactively rather than discovering problems after an incident.
Automated compliance checks: Systems are now being developed that can automatically verify that required documentation is complete, that officers have current certifications, that vehicles have passed inspections, and that transports are following approved procedures.
Trend analysis: By aggregating data across multiple transports, agencies will soon be able to identify patterns that might indicate training gaps, equipment issues, or procedural weaknesses before they result in serious incidents.
Simplified reporting: During accreditation reviews, audits, or investigations, digital systems are now learning to use AI to generate comprehensive reports in minutes rather than requiring staff to spend days pulling records.
About the author
John Comissiong is the president of Security Transport Services, Inc., a national leader in secure prisoner transport. He has more than 25 years of experience in leadership, logistics, and public safety operations and is dedicated to helping law enforcement agencies improve compliance, efficiency, and safety in prisoner transport operations. Learn more: ReadinessPlan.us.
| WATCH: How complacency can turn a routine inmate transport into disaster