The challenges of operating a correctional facility extend well beyond the day-to-day obstacles of searching for contraband or ensuring a fight doesn’t break out. Working with individuals who are removed from society against their will usually means both correctional officers and the facilities they work in will be subject to complaints – some of which are eventually substantiated and some of which are proven to be completely fabricated.
True or not, such allegations can escalate into costly lawsuits and lasting reputational damage. Facilities lacking the technology to document what truly occurs within their walls often find themselves defending both their actions and their budgets to taxpayers.
“There are some very unique pressures and pain points that come in a correctional setting,” said Josh Tewalt, former director of the Idaho Department of Corrections. “When you incarcerate someone, you are assuming responsibility for everything that happens to that person. Liability is highly important in a correctional setting in ways that are different than in local law enforcement.”
Reducing this liability should be a primary goal for all facilities, but it requires having the right tools at your disposal. Modern technology provides those in corrections with options to increase safety, efficiency and accountability at every turn – from facilities to inmate transport, as well as probation and parole.
Yet to make the most of these tools, it’s essential to understand where a facility’s vulnerabilities or operational gaps exist and how the right solutions can address them. Whether it’s fragmented evidence systems, limited camera coverage or an inability to record audio, Coreforce’s integrated ecosystem helps close those gaps.
Capturing and centralizing data anytime, anywhere
Often, correctional facilities find themselves using siloed systems and try to piece together data after an incident occurs. Instead of taking this reactive approach, facilities can seamlessly integrate information from these disparate technologies into Coreforce’s ecosystem.
Data from both body-worn and fixed camera systems, along with in-vehicle video feeds, can be consolidated to paint a broader picture of an incident and provide evidence when building a case. Additional documents and images can also be added, allowing full case management that includes AI-assisted analysis tools for redaction and transcription/translation. This centralization of data significantly improves operational efficiency while ensuring facilities remain in compliance with state policies.
“Almost all correctional facilities have fixed cameras – but they’re just that,” emphasized John Boyd, law enforcement relations manager at Coreforce and retired sheriff of La Porte, Indiana. “They can’t show all angles, and they can’t show the perspective of the correctional officers. Jails and prisons are full of dead zones and blind spots, and offenders know exactly where those are. That’s where you get a lot of complaints about use of force or inappropriate behavior.”
Coreforce’s bodyworn cameras provide additional access to recording of critical data with not just video, but also audio capture. Including body camera footage brings an accumulation of unbiased accounts of incidents that fixed cameras may have missed. This additional evidence can assist with the data needed for investigative and legal processes.
Yet inside cell walls aren’t the only place where video data matters, as incidents can also occur when transporting an inmate. Coreforce’s in-vehicle solutions can be used by cars, vans or transport buses and link together dash and dome cameras to help monitor what’s happening both inside and outside the vehicle. Live streaming adds another layer of accountability and as video is recorded, it’s automatically offloaded into the digital evidence management system (DEMS).
These specific technologies also enhance safety through capabilities that provide automated recording in identified areas and situations, removing the burden of manually operating devices in high-stress scenarios.
Reducing liability through objectivity
Corrections officers currently using some combination of technology solutions might wonder why using one ecosystem to capture and manage real-time incident data matters. For many organizations, it’s only a matter of time before a false claim can cause irreparable damage. Being able to deal with it quickly is critical.
“Having quick access to centralized data not only cuts down on liability but it increases morale as well,” said Boyd. “Correctional officers face frivolous complaints every day and many of them are really salacious. In these instances, the facility has no choice but to suspend those officers pending an investigation. It’s a morale killer for these officers, because many times they haven’t done anything wrong, but it makes them question how they put themselves in a position where this complaint was made.”
Boyd explains that facilities using Coreforce can launch an investigation and, in a matter of hours, can conclude an officer was innocent and return them to their original position. Offenders then become less likely to make false accusations, knowing there will be a quick resolution – and, in some cases – charges for filing a false report, he says.
Resolving a complaint quickly is easy when facilities have a record of video and audio to rely on, particularly when it’s streamlined into one DEMS.
“You’re creating a record of events as they happen, and you have that independent view that can’t be biased by human perception,” added Tewalt. “The data creates context and nuance to events as they unfold that often isn’t translated in incident reports or court filings. I think a lot of times in these reports something may sound like it has a specific connotation but it’s very different compared to what actually happened. I think that’s critical for staff and inmate safety.”
‘Time is a finite thing’
While Coreforce’s body-worn camera and in-vehicle video solutions work in conjunction with the company’s DEMS to provide actionable data when a claim is made, its Real-Time Intelligence solution takes operational efficiency and situational awareness to the next level.
“You can monitor all of the cameras and bring them into one place – a single pane of glass,” said Boyd. “We have partners that can bring in artificial intelligence aspects for weapon detection or drone detection and having that real-time data from the facility and transport operations allows for faster, more informed responses. It’s important that human oversight is used, but AI can do what it may take 100 officers to do as far as monitoring and gathering intelligence.”
Tewalt seconds the importance of the Real-Time Intelligence platform, noting that it’s what ties everything from Coreforce together.
“Time is a finite thing, so every second we can give back to the staff to do the things they need to do increases their effectiveness, it increases the impact they have and it ensures that we’re putting resources – particularly human capital resources – toward things that are going to have a real benefit,” he said.
Mix and match your solutions
Correctional facilities are often hesitant to adopt new technology solutions from a single provider – often purchasing solutions as tech needs arise without the perspective of integration. With Coreforce’s open ecosystem, corrections organizations can future-proof their technology while working with current investments, enabling them to advance at their own pace.
“The platform is incredibly nimble, so facilities can tailor their solution to the specific problem they’re encountering,” said Tewalt. “The underlying systems are agnostic, so you’re able to partner with best-in-class solutions. You get to determine how it all works together so you don’t have to change the way you do business.”
From complementing preexisting camera solutions to adopting technology like drone detection, automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras or AI capabilities, Coreforce can work to fill in the gaps found at any facility, ultimately providing a more comprehensive system that works to reduce liability and increase efficiency.
“It’s important that the people who do the important work in corrections are armed with the tools and resources to make that work as impactful as possible,” said Tewalt. “Anything we can do to free up human capital is going to make them more effective in advancing public safety.”
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