TECHNOLOGICAL SECURITY IN PRISONS

“Prisons are on the cusp of a technological transformation as twenty-first-century

digital engagement and connectivity in ‘free’ society permeate prison design and
offender management. Automation, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), facial
recognition, and data analytics are just some of the new technologies being
deployed and embedded into the infrastructure of prisons in many countries” . –
McKay, 2022

As prison populations grow, forms of digital detention technologies

promise safer, hands-free, and cheaper modes of offender management,
integrated with vast databases and networked with other justice agencies. The
fully automated prison, or the so-called “carceral automaton” is an efficient, high-
tech apparatus of imprisonment. – McKay, 2022

Two Parts of Prison Technology

1. Technologies that benefit prison authorities through heightened security and

surveillance It reduces the need for prison officers to interact with prisoners
physically. An array of new digital technologies can track, sense, record, and
analyze prisoners’ movements and identities, monitor and predict their
behavior, capture data (including biometrics and health), and regulate reward
systems and environmental conditions.

2. Technologies that may directly benefit people in prison and their rehabilitation
while indirectly benefiting prison management some technologies promise to
benefit people in prison by providing safer and more rehabilitative
environments and connecting them to the outside world—their families,
lawyers, health providers, education and reintegration and rehabilitation
services These technologies, including audio/audiovisual links and in-cell
digital tablets, may provide prisoners with positive opportunities to access
justice, maintain family relationships and engage in programs aimed at
 optimizing their post release circumstances, ultimately facilitating
rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.

Prison Technologies

 AVATAR (advanced video analytics to detect aggression)—a human

behavior detection system for aggressive behaviors—and VADAR (video
analytics to detect abnormal behavior) to detect irregular activities and
alert prison authorities;

 facial recognition cameras in cells for automated muster checks;

 scannable wrist tags with communication chips that enable prisoners to

make cashless purchases at self-service vending machines. These are
also connected to the digital rehabilitation records management system to
track prisoners’ attendance at rehabilitation programs and collect data;
confirm headcounts or muster in perimeter control and exclusion zones
and provide evidence of misconduct. These technologies are said to be
more efficient than human monitoring and can free up time for prison
officers to be more involved in high-level rehabilitation work.

 shared digital tablet devices, known as the Digitization of Inmate

Rehabilitation and Corrections Tool, to provide apps for self-learning,
study, and communication, replacing hardcopy materials and reducing
contraband; and

 iKiosk, which enables prisoners to undertake a range of self-service tasks

such as administrative requests and redeeming privileges.

 Radio-frequency identification (RFID) bracelets - which operate as part of

an integrated security management system to automate prison doors and
monitor prisoners’ movements and locations, in addition to automated
emotion recognition software, which can monitor prisoners’ conversations
and conflicts. Through a chip embedded in a tamper-resistant bracelet or
 anklet, RFID technology identifies and tracks prisoners and their
compliance with their daily prison schedule,

 Body-worn cameras increase operational transparency and the ability to

collect evidence during critical incidents such as riots, the use of force, or
contraband raids.

 ‘Rapid build prisons’ - At present, prison officers often resort to so-called

less-lethal chemical aids such as tear gas and pepper spray, and physical
methods of restraint and weaponry, including handcuffs, batons, and
firearms. Recent ‘rapid build prisons’ with dormitory-style accommodation
can deploy chemical agents from an elevated position with the use of gas
insertion hatches.

 Automated mail screening is essential to detect illicit substances

impregnated in letters and cards. In Japan, drug detection is no longer
conducted by degrading physical strip-searching; instead, a “sniffer” or
“puffer” machine’, akin to airport technology designed to detect explosives
on civilian passengers, is used as well as a full-body imaging scanner
system.

 Robot – used to immobilize prisoners who are attempting to escape or

commit crimes

 In addition to traditional technologies such as X-rays, metal detectors, and

detection dogs, there are several emerging technologies for detecting
contraband and dealing with new forms of delivery by uncrewed aircraft
systems and the ensuing need for drone security. Drone detection and
deflector/blocking technologies can provide fully automated and remote
surveillance of prison airspace to minimize the opportunities for
contraband to enter

Existing Prison Technology in the Philippines

• Closed-circuit television (CCTV) – primarily used for surveillance

• Airport Scanners, and

• Detectors- used to detect the entry of contrabands

• Body Cam “…to guard the guardians.” Catapang said in an interview on Super
Radyo dzBB
• Biometrics- Boisid, Biometric Mobile Enrollment and Verification Tablet Device
• Digitization Program - OneBuCor Portal and Inmate Management and
Information System (IMIIS)
• E-dalaw
• Virtual hearing
•

PRISON RIOTS AND DISTURBANCES: PREVENTION AND

MANAGEMENT

Disturbance

 Any act by one or more inmates that is designed to cause a disruption

of normal activities, interfere with the performance of jail duties, or
hinder the general functions of the jail.

Riots

 Any uncontrolled violent act that is designed to cause property

damage and/or personal injury and involves three or more inmates.
This situation tends to escalate in nature

The country’s deadliest prison riot took place in the southern

Philippines in 1989, when a band of 16 prisoners protesting against
the poor conditions at the Davao Metropolitan District Command
Center took hostage 15 civilians from a Christian missionary group,
the Joyful Assembly of God.
The police regained control of the facility after a bloody
battle, rescuing 10 hostages and killing 16 inmates. But five
 other civilians, including Australian missionary Jacqueline
Hamill, were killed during the rescue mission.

March 15, 2005 – police kills 22 Islamist militants in Manila

siege

October 9, 2020- 9 inmates died at New Bilibid Prison

during a riot between Commando and Sputnik. It is said to
be one of the deadliest jail clashes since 2005

Nov. 9, 2020 – at least 3 dead, 64 injured

Causes of Prison Disturbances/Riots

 Overcrowding in prisons

 Inferior Prison Service

 Racial and gang tensions between inmates

 Poor or zero responses to prisoner’s complaints

 Lack of desired program or activities

 Frequently staff turnover in prisons

 Inability to control contraband like drugs and weapons

 Inconsistent enforcement of rules by the staff

 Changing the line of authority

 Poor prison conditions (e.g quantity and quality of food, health care
services

 Availability and content of mail, visiting and telephone privileges

 Personal and Family Problems

Prevention and Management

Prevention
 1. Develop strategies that will help deescalate tensions and prevent issues and
conditions that may lead to disturbance
a. good communications
- between inmates on rules, procedures, programs, and expectations
- management and line staff in jail operations

b. Highly accessible and visible supervision by the jail supervisors

c. Prompt staff reporting that informs supervisors of unrest in jails

d. Useful activities and recreation programs

e. A well-designed classification of inmates. This will help prevent inmate gangs,
pressure groups, or another disruptive individual from engaging and
assuming power.
f. Fair and impartial treatment of inmates

2. To always be vigilant. To be weary and observant of any signs of unrest and

discontent among inmates.
a. changes in general inmate behavior
b. inmates avoiding contact w/ staff
c. a large no. of inmates’ complaints and grievances
d. an increase of no. in disciplinary reports
e. in the crease of numbers inmates asking for protective custody
f. increase no. on inmates on sick call

MANAGEMENT

1. Immediate respond
 Timeliness- the ability of prison staff to quickly access the incident scene
 Availability of equipment
 The number of available staff
  Staff knowledge and skills
2. Isolate and contain

3. Report and Record- management should gather key information such as:

 Have prisoners been provided w/ clear directions regarding their behavior and
the consequences for non-compliance
 Do prisoners have weapons and, if so what type and how many?
 Are their hostages
 Are there any injuries or deaths?
 Is there a risk of escape?
 Is there any infrastructure damage?

4. Identify response resources

If an incident cannot be resolved internally, depending on the nature of the

incident and the risks involved, prison management may seek assistance from
external organizations (police, fire services, etc.) to either supplement or replace
prison staff in managing the incident. External organizations may not be familiar
with the operation or layout of the prison and should be fully briefed prior to any
intervention. In such cases, the role of prison staff is primarily to manage those
parts of the prison not affected by the incident.

5. Manage the incident

Depending on the type of incident, there are usually 2 ways to resolve an

incident:
 Through negotiation
 Through tactical intervention (use of force)
6. Resume normal prison routines

7. Review actions
References

• Bulma, P. 2009; Using Technology to Make Prison and Jails Safer,

National Institute of Justice, Journal Issue 262

• Palter, J. 2021; Law Enforcement Technology and Future of Prison

Systems, Real Time Network

• Buan, L., 2020; PH Soon to Have Single Online Portal for Prisoners,
Criminal Data, Rappler, Philippines

• Rinoza, J., 2020; Main Philippine Prison Scene of Second Deadly Riot in a
Month, Benar News Org., Philippines

• Al Jazeera, 2019; Gang Riot in Overcrowded Prison in the Philippines

• http://www. bucor.gov.ph

• McKay,C., 2022; The Carceral Automaton: Digital Prisons and

Technologies of Detention, International Journal for Crime, Justice and
Social Democracy, 11(1):100-119., Australia

• CNN Philippines, 2022; Catapang: Technology to guard the guardians in

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