TNC
11-10-2004, 10:56 AM
Idaho Maximum Security Institution Solves A Security Problem
By Michelle Krish
Idaho Maximum Security Institution is where the hardest of the hard core offenders live. It has a security system that's fifteen years old, and has had problems from the beginning.
"90 days after the opening we actually had a major power outage and the old death row doors actually popped open," says the captain of security Jeff Henry.
Despite all the bugs, the department of correction says all the problems were manageable up until the last few years. Now a new locking and electronics system, with an extended warranty, is supposed to solve the original problem. If the power fails, it has battery back up that reroutes to a main control center. The new software allows officers to lock and unlock cell doors easily. There's also video surveillance, which can be used as evidence in court and to solve disputes between offenders. The new system has only been installed in one cell block. Officers there say they have better control of the facility. Construction is underway for the rest of the institution. The old system is so flawed, officers have to use keys to manually open some doors in areas that aren't finished. Because this can be a safety hazard, more officers have been hired.
"We can't have one officer with a key to an entire cell block, because if he happens to be taken hostage, offenders can get completely out of that cell block," says Captain Henry.
The project is expected to be done in January. It cost about three million dollars, but officers say it's worth every cent.
"I feel a lot safer for my staff and society at large and offenders," says Captain Henry.
http://www.kbcitv.com/x5154.xml?ParentPageID=x5157&ContentID=x58728&Layout=KBCI.xsl&AdGroupID=x5154&NewsSection=
By Michelle Krish
Idaho Maximum Security Institution is where the hardest of the hard core offenders live. It has a security system that's fifteen years old, and has had problems from the beginning.
"90 days after the opening we actually had a major power outage and the old death row doors actually popped open," says the captain of security Jeff Henry.
Despite all the bugs, the department of correction says all the problems were manageable up until the last few years. Now a new locking and electronics system, with an extended warranty, is supposed to solve the original problem. If the power fails, it has battery back up that reroutes to a main control center. The new software allows officers to lock and unlock cell doors easily. There's also video surveillance, which can be used as evidence in court and to solve disputes between offenders. The new system has only been installed in one cell block. Officers there say they have better control of the facility. Construction is underway for the rest of the institution. The old system is so flawed, officers have to use keys to manually open some doors in areas that aren't finished. Because this can be a safety hazard, more officers have been hired.
"We can't have one officer with a key to an entire cell block, because if he happens to be taken hostage, offenders can get completely out of that cell block," says Captain Henry.
The project is expected to be done in January. It cost about three million dollars, but officers say it's worth every cent.
"I feel a lot safer for my staff and society at large and offenders," says Captain Henry.
http://www.kbcitv.com/x5154.xml?ParentPageID=x5157&ContentID=x58728&Layout=KBCI.xsl&AdGroupID=x5154&NewsSection=