Electrical Safety and Security Systems in Prisons: How Technology Is Keeping Inmates and Staff Safe
As technology advances, so too does the security and safety of the nation. Electrical security systems are developing to help reduce burglaries, trespassing and other crimes whilst also helping to improve people’s safety. CCTV cameras, GPS tracking devices and electrical door locks are changing the way we live and giving us a greater reassurance of safety.
With property crime on the rise in the UK, homeowners are becoming more invested in the importance of purchasing new technologies to help improve their safety- including the use of access control door locks, security cameras, video door entry systems and more.
Government-run divisions have adopted such safety devices in order to help improve their security.
For prisons in the UK, electrical safety has become one of the best ways to improve the safety of prison staff and inmates, whilst allowing officials to monitor any rogue activities.
In this blog, we’ll go through some of the ways in which technology is improving the safety and efficiency of UK prisons.
Security cameras
CCTV cameras are widely used in prisons nowadays as a way of monitoring inmates. Since prison officers aren’t able to monitor every room at every time of the day in prison, CCTV systems give them the opportunity to oversee every room at one time, whilst also recording all events that might occur.
This means that if a prisoner happens to escape or cause disruption to other inmates, it can be tracked using CCTV recordings and used as evidence to identify the individual.
CCTV systems are becoming more cost-effective in today’s society, which has allowed them to be implemented in prison buildings all across the country. When you compare the cost of a CCTV camera in monitoring every room of a prison with the cost of employing a prison guard, you can see the clear benefits of this technology. What’s more, if prisoners are aware that their behaviours are being monitored by a video system, they might be less likely to cause trouble.
Biometrics
Could biometrics help to improve the security of a prison?
Biometric security could be one of the ways to track prison visitors and inmate records, which, in turn, might help to improve the efficiency of prisons. Fingerprints, facial recognition and iris software may be used to identify and locate inmates as well as keeping track of their records and pinpointing those who attempt to escape.
Biometric security has also been trialled by some UK prisons to help identify visitors which may be trafficking drugs. Such visitors have been difficult to track in the past as some have used false identification on entry.
This technology should help to prevent contraband from entering prison. Last year prison’s seized 23,000 drugs and mobile phones– which demonstrates the scale of the problem.
However, biometrics devices are expensive, so introducing them into nationwide prisons is costly meaning the majority of prisons do not currently have these systems in place.
Drug detection scanners
This year, ten UK prisons have implemented drug detection scanners, which aim to reduce the number of drugs brought into prisons by visitors on their clothing or through mail. These technologies will allow staff greater intelligence in investigating drug acts internally and can help with assisting in decision making for the prisoners who are committing the acts.
X-Ray machines and metal detectors
Furthermore, airport-style security systems are also being implemented to crack down on drugs, weapons and mobile phones. A recent government report stated that a £100 million investment would be injected into cracking down on crime in prisons. New x-ray machines and metal detectors will help to identify people organising drug supplies and entering the buildings with contraband.
Mobile phone detection kits
Phone smuggling is another common issue in prisons, where mobiles are used to co-ordinate crimes with external sources. A new technology is now being trialled in some UK prisons to detect and pinpoint the location of mobile phone signals in prison by displaying digital heat maps. The implementation of this security technology will aim to reduce violence and drug use in prisons across the country.
According to a government report, reducing the crime in prisons helps to improve the levels of crime in communities because phones can be used to create networks outside of the prison.
Why is technology important when it comes to security and safety?
Technology is integral to improving security. Without new security systems such as CCTV cameras, video door entry systems, scanning devices and intelligent software, it would be difficult to identify the prisoners and visitors who are carrying out unlawful activities within the prison environment. This includes everything from internal incidents such as crime organisation to visitors who bring in contraband for inmates.
The use of biometric security systems and X-ray scanners are allowing prison officers (and other industries) to legitimately identify people- a process which, in the past, might have been a less reliable or lengthy process.
What about for homeowners and business owners?
When we look at how technology is altering the effectiveness of security in other settings, such as the home or business, we can see that it too, is changing for the better.
The growth of ‘smart’ locking systems has allowed homeowners to keep an eye on their property while they are away from it. Wireless systems are at the forefront of a new revolution in access control and can be used in both home and commercial settings. Access control systems – in the form of wireless, card and keypad systems can control the foot traffic of a premises and provide peace of mind to those concerned about others entering a building who are not authorised to.
One of the most cost-effective access control systems is the keypad option, which ensures a high level of security to buildings with a select number of individuals who can access it.
There is no doubt that the development of technology is advancing in ways that benefit not only business owners but homeowners and government sectors too. This digital revolution is sure to expand over the coming years, where we will see more futuristic systems such as biometric devices emerge into the market- such as fingerprint scanners and complete automation systems.
Campbell & McGovern: Liverpool’s trusted security experts supplying everything from keyless door locks to CCTV systems
Campbell & McGovern are experts in security in the Liverpool area. We specialise in supplying extensive security systems and understand just how important security is both in a commercial setting and for homeowners alike.
Many business owners struggle to find the right balance between maintaining complete security whilst also providing employees with ease of access. We’re able to find the best solution to suit your business requirements, whether that’s the installation of a card or keypad system or a master key to fit all doors.
If you’re worried about the security of your business’ expensive warehouse stock, the installation of a CCTV system could be for you so that you can keep an eye on your business if you’re working away.
We offer a wide range of affordable security cameras, and our experts are here to help you make the best decision for you.
Get in touch or visit our website to find out more about the locksmith and security solutions we offer.
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