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When you think of the current prison climate, you probably envision an atmosphere of isolation and confinement; some people do. Well, it might surprise you to know that prisons nowadays aren't what they used to be. In the field of corrections, technology has been gradually integrating itself into prison operations and transforming how facilities are operated and inmates rehabilitated.

 

Our society is developing continuously, and the penal system is not left behind. It is accepting novelties with an outlook of reinforced security, better processes, and surprisingly to some people, an even more humane approach toward incarceration. Modern jails have applied the most modern technologies to better security, simplify functions, and help with rehabilitation. This article will discuss, “5 interesting prison technological systems used today in the U.S.”.

 

This article may help you understand how such technological breakthroughs are aiding correctional facilities' management efforts while supporting inmates on their way back into society if they are released. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about how tech advancements can revolutionize even the toughest settings, this listicle is sure to give some eye-opening and informative insights. So, shall we get started?

 

1.   Ankle Monitoring & Prison Tracking Systems

Ankle monitoring devices have become a more common prison tracking system in recent times as an alternative to imprisonment. It was once something of science fiction but now it's a reality present in many prisons across America.


This Global Positioning System (GPS) -enabled ankle monitor has become well-known among low-risk convicts who may be close to finishing their sentences. It is considered as an option instead of traditional imprisonment yet still gives administrators the power to keep track of where its wearer goes without being excessively strict. Some say this technological innovation helps decrease recidivism rates and overcrowding in jails and prisons while others praise it as a way towards recovery and integration back into society; however, some argue these bracelets give users an unrealistic sense of liberty while never addressing what led them down a criminal path in the first place if they’re actually guilty. Could this be valid?

 

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2.   Email And Tablets For Prisoners

In today's digital world, many prisons have welcomed the idea of emailing and handing out tablets to inmates to facilitate communication between them and their family members, friends, and acquaintances. These technologies can give imprisoned individuals an opportunity to stay connected with people outside prison walls, access educational content as well as increase their chances of finding employment upon release. Some prisoners may also take advantage of this technology to find love through prison dating sites. However, not everyone is in favor of such an initiative citing security concerns, claiming that the availability of technology could be misused or exploited leading to potential issues related to safety protocols, avoiding unauthorized activities, or exchanging illegal information.

 

3.   The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in Prisons

As AI continues to develop, it has opened both opportunities and issues within the disruptive system. For example, with surveillance cameras fueled by AI tech, prisons can utilize its advantages like monitoring inmate behavior accurately while also making sure no contraband gets inside and that violence is being prevented before it happens. Predictive analysis - a tool powered by AI technology, tries to anticipate potential security problems as well as detect any signs of aggression just in case anything needs avoiding. However, some don't agree; they believe artificial intelligence systems could be flawed leading to either over-surveillance or wrongful convictions, which raises certain ethical and moral questions considering that society depends on these machines for things such as coming up with risk scores during parole hearings.


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4.   Video Conferencing for Remote Hearings and Medical Care

As the world of prison technology continues to change, new possibilities have opened. Technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Telemedicine could completely revolutionize prisoner education and mental health assistance in ways we haven't even imagined yet.


Considering this pandemic-driven era, prisons are now forced to find alternate solutions when conducting hearings and meetings with inmates. This is where video conferencing comes into play: it eliminates the need for physical transportation between locations; provides more effective scheduling options and allows greater involvement from legal representation. It's clear that these types of virtual interactions can offer major benefits! Some downsides with videoconferencing are that it is not suitable for all conditions and gives prison medical professionals limited physical access to patients and misdiagnoses are possible.

 

5.   Inmate Management Systems Prisons

Nowadays, jails and prisons use sophisticated computer systems to manage prisoner data, from their basic details to medical and disciplinary records. The field of prison safety has seen a big boost due to the introduction of biometric identification and surveillance methods. From facial recognition technology through iris scanning, these instruments are used for keeping track of inmates, as well as jail and prison personnel members to block any unwanted access or potentially dangerous or illegal situations. These frameworks help simplify administrative tasks and raise record accuracy levels with ease of hand communication among staff members too.


Even though they can improve effectiveness while minimizing human errors in of equation, there is still a chance that something might go wrong; either technical glitches can arise or worse, someone could gain unauthorized access leading to compromising secure information, like HIPAA violations, and opening a window for possible escape attempts. Critics point out this risk along with the increased importance placed upon protecting fairness & integrity when it comes to legal proceedings related matters here. So, taking extra precautions should always be the main priority when such powerful tools get deployed somewhere.

 

Weighing The Pros And Cons Of Applying Technology To The Incarceration System

 

Those in favor of prison (or jail) technology emphasize how much it could help with rehabilitation, safety, and resource management. For example, they say that having remote communication with family members would have a tremendously positive effect on an inmate's mental health --- not to mention lowering recidivism rates. Plus, there are surveillance systems that can prevent violence or contraband from getting into the prisons too.

 

But then again, some people worry about drawbacks as well. Drawbacks like potential abuse or invasion of privacy. The increasing dependence on technology might inadvertently lead to a decrease in humanity, and morality, and reduce the chances of real rehabilitation. Additionally, there's always the danger of technological failures, glitches, or cyberattacks which could disturb prison processes.


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 Conclusion


As prisons and jails go tech-savvy, it becomes crucial to find a balance between progressiveness, ethics, morals, and security. There is a need for clear policies and procedures as well as frequent assessment and re-examinations of how emerging technology is impacting things; also strong safeguards against potential abuses must be enforced. It requires close collaboration from experts in the information technology space with legal specialists plus criminal justice professionals so that everyone can explore this complex world called Prison Technology together for safety, fairness, and checks and balances.

 

References


Martinez, J. (2016). Jail Tech Phones Tablets And Software. Retrieved

from PCMag.

 

Paulter, J. Law Enforcement Technology And The Future Of Prison

Systems. Retrieved From Real Time Networks.

 

Quaker Special Risk – A Jencap Company (2023). Pros And Cons Of

Virtual Doctor’s Appointments. Retrieved from Quaker Special Risk – A Jencap Company.

 

Luxatia Interantional (2021). How New Technology and Designs Are

Impacting the Development of Future Correctional Facilities. Retrieved From Corrections direct.