Criminal Justice Technology in the News

Law Enforcement News

Ga. Police Officer Shot Dead, Another Wounded
PoliceOne, (09/30/2017), Associated Press
A Polk County (Ga.) deputy was saved by his ballistic-resistant vest, but a detective who provided backup was killed during an encounter with two suspects on Sept. 29, one of whom pulled a handgun and opened fire. Officer David Goodrich returned fire as the suspects fled into nearby woods; one was later captured and the gunman eventually surrendered. Det. Kristin Hearne was in plain clothes as she provided backup; as an investigator, she was not required to wear a protective vest.
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Police Want to Know: #DidULockIt?
WIAT, (09/30/2017), James McConatha
A social media campaign reminding residents to lock their car and house doors has "gone viral" in central Alabama. At least a half-dozen local law enforcement agencies are participating in the "#DidULockIt?" campaign to combat an increasing number of break-ins in the area.
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Police Turn to Microcrystal Drug Testing to Eliminate Backlogs
Washington Examiner, (10/02/017), Ariella Phillips
The San Diego Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in Hennepin County are two of only a few law enforcement agencies in the United States using microcrystal drug testing for identification purposes. The technology is simple to use and produces results more quickly than conventional methods, but requires verification by instrument testing before results can be admitted in court, which contributes to departments' reluctance to adopt it.
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Vest Saved Patrolman From Injury, Perhaps His Life
Robesonian, (10/02/2017)
A North Carolina highway patrol officer survived a Sunday shooting when a gunman's shot struck his ballistic-resistant vest. A wellness check turned into a standoff when the subject of the check opened fire on a group of local law enforcement officers; Trooper Brian Strickland took a hit near the heart that was stopped by his vest.
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Corrections News

Southern Prisons Have a Cellphone Smuggling Problem
NBC News, (09/30/2017), Matt Riley
NBC News research shows that nine of the 10 states with the highest ratio of confiscated cellphones to prisoners are located in the southern part of the United States, where rates climb as high as one cellphone confiscated for every three inmates in No. 1 South Carolina. Only California among the top 10 lies outside the South. Some experts believe there is a connection between these high rates and low pay for corrections officers.
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Electronic Monitoring Device Helps Authorities Capture Missing Furlough Inmate
KHON2, (09/28/2017)
Thanks to his electronic monitoring device, a work furlough inmate who failed to return to the corrections center on Oahu was arrested in Waikiki. Approximately 60 work release inmates wear the monitoring devices, with plans calling for expanding the program to 100 individuals.
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Drone Breach at Michigan Prison Went Undetected for 2 Months
Fox News, (10/02/2017), Associated Press
A report from the Michigan State Police says two cellphones confiscated at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in July apparently were dropped via drone on May 29. Prison officials confiscated one package from the drone drop, but an examination of video surveillance footage showed that two packages succeeded in reaching inmates.
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How This Philly Hackathon Plans to Help People After Prison
Billy Penn, (09/27/2017), Peak Johnson
Power-Up Reentry: A Digital Solutions Day, an event produced by Code for Philly for the Reentry Project, will take place Oct. 20-21. Participants can work together on technology projects that will assist the formerly incarcerated into transitioning back into society. One in six Philadelphia residents has been incarcerated at some point in their lives.
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How FirstNet Will Transform Corrections Technology
CorrectionsOne.com, (09/28/2017), Neil A. Miller
The FirstNet nationwide broadband network for first responders will provide reliable, high-speed access for both existing technology and innovative new devices, including those that are part of the Internet of Things. This may open the door for such technology as inmate head counts and medication distribution using facial recognition, eye-scanning for booking station identification, drone neutralization and more.
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How a Probation and Parole Officer Should Supervise Sex Offenders
CorrectionsOne.com, (09/22/2017), Tyson Howard
This article looks at some of the factors a probation and parole officer needs to take under consideration when supervising a sex offender and explains what the sex offender registry means. It also looks at getting sex offenders into treatment, concerns about their use of technology and behavioral warning signs.
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Inmates Take Part in Drone Program
KREM2, (09/27/2017), Rob Krem
Aerospace Composites, a course taught in conjunction with Spokane Community College, teaches inmates at Airway Heights Corrections Center about technology that includes drone operation. The Department of Corrections gave the required approval for the course before its implementation.
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CDCR Expands K-9 Program With Eight Dogs
The Report News, (10/02/217), Kimberly K. Fu
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has added eight new contraband detection dogs. The young Labrador retrievers have been trained to sniff out tobacco, cell phones and other forms of contraband. The dogs are expected to work for up to 10 years.
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