The monitoring 
of a penitentiary is not only about protecting inmates and staff, it is also about improving the work processes and behaviour of inmates.
By Manuel Zamudio*
Video surveillance greatly favors this type of institution, because thanks to the functionality of the cameras, it allows that only with a guard, it can monitor different areas at the same time and simultaneously, such as cells, corridors, patios, entrances, exits, perimeter, in addition to the supervision of inmates and inmates, making their work more efficient and thus improving processes.
However, the problem we face with the use of this technology in most penitentiary institutions in Mexico is that the importance and scope of technological tools is minimized. Some decision makers require more training and therefore, do not get involved in the hiring process to go to the bottom and know all the benefits, use and application of new technologies and look only for the final figure, which the cheaper it is, the better.
When the operation of a prison is outsourced as with many similar businesses, the contractor will undoubtedly think about improving its profit margin in the purchase over the operating profit, lowering the acquisition cost instead of decreasing the total cost of ownership of the solution provided, which will cover a minimum specification and the technology that is then chosen, it could be obsolete and meet minimum requirements, be more vulnerable, not have the planning or engineering to support it and leave aside novelties and technological standards that try to go ahead of the capabilities of the criminal groups themselves.
So, it turns out that we are always behind. I have noticed on more than one occasion and in different countries, that in prisons as in many systems of administration of buildings and even in systems of urban surveillance, only the minimum necessary is covered and without realizing that due to neglect, budget or lack of training they are giving access to the also to the criminals in systems that can be used by third parties without authorization. Even lately, in the news we see how criminals have their own monitoring centers to monitor the authorities themselves, entire cities, perimeters and now they are the ones who could be watching others.
With intelligent decisions and a sustained investment, different flexible, scalable and more functional technologies can be combined, such as systems with facial biometric recognition, connected to police central computers, to recognize who enters, leaves or visits the inmates; access control solutions can also be integrated that can alert guards, when someone mistakes a password or tries to access at improper times or points; Likewise, it is very important to take into account, the use of the appropriate resolutions, the correct format and percentage of compression, use cameras that capture thermal radiation for perimeter protections, infrared light for dark areas, basic analytics such as motion detection, anti-manipulation alarms, audio detection and many others that can be executed from the camera itself and think about placing in the ideal place, the right camera. Not all cameras are created equal.
As a basic principle, it is essential that surveillance or monitoring reaches the outside of the center in authorized and supervised sites, to avoid or detect possible acts of corruption inside with those responsible for monitoring and to be able to react in a timely manner in case of system failure. Axis network video solutions offer your staff and authorities to share live and recorded images from any of their cameras, for an overview of the situation, and recorded high-definition video helps resolve a situation.
On the other hand, with the discreet surveillance and sound systems integrated into the cameras, you can listen to the inmates, interact with the guards, trigger sound alerts and panic detection, analyze specific frequencies such as gun fire and have greater control of what happens inside.
As security experts, we know that every camera is different. Of our hundreds of options, each one offers us a multitude of features (HDTV, WDR Forensics, Infrared Correction or Lightfinder to see in color in low light, etc.) that guarantee a clear and clear video even in more difficult lighting conditions.
Our recommendation for decision makers in Mexico and any other country is to consult with experts to determine which are the best technological tools that can be acquired and that can integrate and interact with each other to provide the best results.
With Axis, you will have a flexible surveillance solution that will allow you to mainly, among others:
- Immediate access to live images and recorded video from any authorized computer or mobile device.
- Seamless integration with your access control system, fire and smoke alarms or emergency pushbuttons, for easy quick verification and response.
- Reduction of the number of false alarms.
- Maximum efficiency in the investigation thanks to the fast access to video images, with a quality admitted in judicial processes and significant savings in bandwidth and storage consumption.
- Perimeter protection with a cost-effective and efficient solution.
*Manuel Zamudio is National Accounts Manager in Latin America, North and the Caribbean of Axis Communications.
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