Summary
The American Correctional Assn (ACA) has chosen five ongoing programs that exemplify best practices in the area of correctional technology. The five programs selected by the ACA were the telemedicine initiative of the Louisiana State Penitentiary, the videoconferencing initiative of the Illinois Dept of Corrections, the Integrated Facilities Information program of Texas, the intranet dissemination program of Correctional Service Canada and the Felony Offender Reporting System of Washington state.
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Extract
Best practices: technology in corrections.
Editor's note: The following is taken from the American Correctional Association (ACA) publication, Best Practices: Excellence in Corrections and has been edited.
Technology continues to emerge as a critical issue in corrections. It is now and will continue to be a valuable tool to enhance staff safety and the security of both correctional institutions and the general public. It also may serve as a cost saver in certain applications. Less than 10 years ago, it was not uncommon for entire correctional agencies to be void of computers, technology review committees or technology products of any kind. Strolling through an ACA conference exhibitors' area a decade ago, one found plenty of construction materials, fencing, clothing, even food products, but little emerging technology. Now it takes visitors every minute that the exhibit area is open to view the technology, and even then they may not see it all. The use of technology will continue to grow exponentially in the future. Sometimes resistance to change or fear of the unknown prevents an agency from looking at emerging technologies as a solution or part of a solution to a particular problem. The key is to evaluate technology for its most appropriate uses and apply it accordingly. Technology is not the cure-all for the many problems faced by corrections today. It can, however, serve as a valuable tool to improve safety and security, cost savings and time savings for staff. The following five programs were selected by ACA's 1998 Technology Committee as "Best Practices" in the area of correctional technology. The committee chair was Kevin Jackson, a former senior program manager with the National Institute of Corrections in Washington, D.C. Network Telemedicine in Louisiana State Penitentiary The telemedicine program under way at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) is an outgrowth of the Louisiana State University (LSU) Medical Center's telemedicine initiative, w...See the full content of this document
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