Skip to content
Mead & Hunt site logo
  • Markets
    • Aviation
    • Cultural Resources
    • Education
    • Federal
    • Food & Beverage
    • Justice
    • State & Local
    • Transportation
    • Water
  • Services
    • Architecture & Interiors
    • Construction Services
    • Engineering
    • Environmental
    • Planning
    • Sustainability & Resilience
    • Technology
  • Portfolio
  • News
  • About
    • Purpose & Values
    • Meet Our Team
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Locations
    • Our History
  • Careers
    • Career Opportunities
    • Events
    • Why Work Here?
Menu
  • Markets
    • Aviation
    • Cultural Resources
    • Education
    • Federal
    • Food & Beverage
    • Justice
    • State & Local
    • Transportation
    • Water
  • Services
    • Architecture & Interiors
    • Construction Services
    • Engineering
    • Environmental
    • Planning
    • Sustainability & Resilience
    • Technology
  • Portfolio
  • News
  • About
    • Purpose & Values
    • Meet Our Team
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Locations
    • Our History
  • Careers
    • Career Opportunities
    • Events
    • Why Work Here?
Search
Mead & Hunt site logo
Menu
  • Markets
    • Aviation
    • Cultural Resources
    • Education
    • Federal
    • Food & Beverage
    • Justice
    • State & Local
    • Transportation
    • Water
  • Services
    • Architecture & Interiors
    • Construction Services
    • Engineering
    • Environmental
    • Planning
    • Sustainability & Resilience
    • Technology
  • Portfolio
  • News
  • About
    • Purpose & Values
    • Meet Our Team
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Locations
    • Our History
  • Careers
    • Career Opportunities
    • Events
    • Why Work Here?

Staying ahead of the curve in the correctional security industry

  • April 27, 2020

SHARE

Share on linkedin
Share on twitter
Share on facebook
Share on email
Tim Redden presenting at the National Sheriff’s Association Conference

As we look to the future, one of the biggest trends we see is the use of security technology—big data, video analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI)—to predict inmate behavior, and therefore enhance safety for all involved. These solutions can improve life safety and security issues for inmates and staff, make operations more efficient and effective, reduce staffing costs, make facilities more cost effective, mitigate liability, increase Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance, and provide a positive environment that can actually change the inmate behavior to reduce recidivism.

Data-driven decision making

Of course gathering data is important, and we are seeing more and more ways to accurately collect large amounts of data. But we can take it a step further and put it to good use within our security systems: for example, we can gather data on equipment use and see how many times, on average, a door or locking system can be used before it fails. We can then evaluate this data to know which doors and systems are being used most frequently to develop a schedule for prevention. Once it hits a certain number, an alert is sent out to trigger preventative maintenance. This saves time and money and enhances staff and inmate safety.

Video analytics

Cameras are already widely used to increase security within secure facilities, some with hundreds or thousands already in use. This can be overwhelming for staff in central control to manage at once. Now, we have the ability use put analytics directly on a camera to enhance safety. For instance, a camera can be setup to watch for certain behavior, movements, or objects—such as color of clothing, line crossing, people counting, running, lying down, loitering and fast motion (such as a punch)—and alert staff who are monitoring. As identification technology improves, even more possibilities open up, like virtual escorting, people tracking and counting. All this technology works in conjunction with officers, enhancing efficiency and safety.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

AI essentially encapsulates all technologies into one, combining big data, video analytics, facial recognition, and people-tracking, and more into machine learning. Machines can be used to analyze various incidents that occur. What if we could use AI to aid our officers to help prevent incidents in the future? By tying all these systems together and tagging incidents, the machine can start to find common patterns that lead up to an incident. If it could learn patterns and behaviors, it could help identify when a situation could happen, and our staff could intervene before it actually does. The possibilities of this technology are exciting!

I and Lieutenant Jeff Heil previously presented on this topic at the National Sheriff’s Association Winter Legislative and Technology Conference in Washington DC. Jeff has worked for the Dane County Sheriff’s Office for 23 years. Our team at Mead & Hunt has been looking at ways to implement these technologies into our work at the Dane County Jail and the ongoing consolidation project. Our goal is to increase safety for all involved and release inmates back into our communities better than when they went in.

As detention security evolves, new and enhanced uses for technology seemingly spring up every minute. This is an exciting time—and we at Mead & Hunt are committed to remaining at the forefront to provide safe, effective, innovative security solutions.

Loading...
Tim Redden headshot

Tim Redden, PE

Tim is Mead & Hunt’s Security Technology Market Leader. With over 30 years of experience, Tim has provided security design for over 100 facilities and has been involved with the technology integration for another 900 across the nation. Outside of work, Tim enjoys spending time outdoors and with his family.

Linkedin
Envelope
PrevPrevious
NextNext

Share

Share on linkedin
Share on twitter
Share on facebook
Share on email

Most Popular

Sideview of Dam

2021 USACE work plan: what’s in it for my city/state/clients?

April 14, 2021
Rendering of Sonoma County Airport exterior

Sonoma terminal expansion/renovation supports airport growth

April 9, 2021
Overview of an American city at night

The President’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan

April 8, 2021
Sideview of Backgate Bridge

5 practical guidelines for designing steel plate girder bridges

April 7, 2021

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Markets
  • Services
  • Portfolio
  • News
  • About
  • Careers

Useful Links

  • ebids
  • Equipment & Parts
  • GSA Schedules Program
  • U.S. Government Contract Vehicles
  • Third-Party Recruiters

Get in touch

  • Apply Today
  • Contact Us
  • Locations
  • Title VI

Connect with us

Search

© 2021 Mead & Hunt. All rights reserved.

  • Privacy & CCPA Policy
  • Do Not Sell
  • Site Map
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Read full privacy policy
ACCEPTREJECTSETTINGS
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT