Assess the Security, technology, management and control functions within correctional environments.
Recently, the application of technology in correctional facilities has grown immensely as it assists to make prisons and jails safer. For instance, the millimetre wave imaging system has been used applied to scan visitors at these facilities. The system has proved effective because of its ability to look through an attire and sense weapons, non-metallic objects, and communication gadgets like mobile phones. The limitation of this technology is that it present the images of the body as they are making most people term it unacceptable.
Moreover, most correctional facilities have implemented metal detection systems to scan both visitors and the inmates. The security system has been fruitful in detecting all kinds of metallic objects. At the same time, prison officers have raised the need for the development of a system capable of detecting non-metallic objects like woods and plastics. As a result, The Weapons and Non-Permitted Devices Detector (WANDD) has been introduced in correctional facilities because of its ability to scan people and reveal any hidden materials amongst people (Bulmann, 2009).
Nevertheless, the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology uses small tags to detect movements. In correctional facilities, the RFID tags are incorporated into various objects like badges or wristbands. The tags consist of an antenna that sends signals used by the network sensors. In most prisons, the officers in charge notice any weird movements or concentration of convicts in an area. Within time, the officers are well-armed and ready to handle situations that pose security concerns. The movement information is very critical as it ensures that prisoners stick within their areas of jurisdiction. The advancement of technology has assisted in controlling the correctional facilities. Effective management and control functions in correctional facilities guarantee stability, safety and security at prisons and jails (Bulmann, 2009). The control functions are faced with numerous challenges since they have not been developed to detect all manners of crime. The same system has failed to ensure that these facilities do not suffer from overpopulation, understaffing and lack of enough resources. The criminal and justice system has a long way to go before it succeeds in reducing the high population of criminals. In the future, there is the need to formulate and implement tough measures that will create the fear of committing crime in the population.
We can all agree to the notion that prison security extends beyond concrete walls and steel bars. Furthermore, correctional facilities does not have a modified system that can control the supply and demand of illegal items like narcotics. An efficacious control system would be in a position to detect all the contraband before they are entered into prisons. Also, it remains mandatory for prison officers to establish non-intrusive technologies to curb insecurities issues in prisons.
Over the past, correctional facilities have reported faulty detection systems in their security control systems. Such problems are attributed to incompetence, inadequate training and poor education of the officers in charge. In addition, there have been rumours that corrupt officers liaise with lawbreakers in committing scandals within jails (Briggs, Sundt, & Castellano, 2003). To come up with an effective management and control system in correctional facilities, the access of prisoners to metallic substances in constructional sites must be regulated. Correctional officers must be subjected to an extensive training program and it will automatically lead to heightened security in correctional facilities.
References
Briggs, C. S., Sundt, J. L., & Castellano, T. C. (2003). THE EFFECT OF SUPERMAXIMUM SECURITY PRISONS ON AGGREGATE LEVELS OF INSTITUTIONAL VIOLENCE*. Criminology, 41(4), 1341-1376.
Bulman, P. (2009). Using Technology to Make Prisons and Jails Safer. NIJ Journal, 262.
