Criminal Justice Technology in the News

Law Enforcement News

Inside Look at Virtual City Built to Train Our Protectors
News4Jax, (09/13/2018), Vic Micolucci
This in-depth piece looks at the operations of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), located in Glynn County, Ga. FLETC trains staff from 91 federal agencies as well as local law enforcement officers in skills such as marksmanship, driving and how to respond to disasters. Its facilities include a mock town that has its own ZIP code.
Link to Article

Illinois State Police Using a Unique Way to Catch Distracted Drivers
Fox 55/27, (09/13/2018), Amanda Henderson
The Illinois State Police have started a program called Trooper in a Truck, in which officers ride along with semi-trailer drivers to be on the lookout for distracted drivers. When the troopers see a driver using a phone, they radio ahead to other units that pull the driver over.
Link to Article

Bus Drivers in Thomas County Receive Active Shooter Training
WTXL, (09/13/2018), Paige Dauer
The Thomas County (Ga.) School System and Thomas County Sheriff's Office recently teamed up to provide scenario-based active shooter training for bus drivers. The training emphasized the "fight" aspect of Run-Hide-Fight, according to the sheriff's office, because there is little chance of viable run or hide options in the confined space of a school bus.
Link to Article

Cops Kill Lots of Dogs. This Simulator Trains Them Not To.
Reason, (09/14/2018), C.J. Ciaramella
This article discusses how one Maryland County uses a training simulator to teach its deputies how to better handle situations involving dogs. It also addresses how the National Sheriffs' Association and the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office are working together to improve such training across the country.
Link to Article

New Lasso Gun Being Tested by Birmingham Police
WTVY.com, (09/18/2018)
The Birmingham (Ala.) Police Department has begun testing a hand-held remote restraint device that discharges an eight-foot bola-style Kevlar tether that can entangle a suspect at a range of up to 25 feet. The less lethal device sounds like a handgun when it fires, but has an appearance similar to that of an electric razor.
Link to Article

Corrections News

Ohio Judge Tosses Lawsuit Over Reagan Tokes' Killing
Columbus Dispatch, (09/15/2018), Associated Press
The Ohio State Court of Claims has ruled against the family of a 21-year-old Ohio woman who was murdered by a man who was wearing an electronic monitoring device. The family of Reagan Tokes had filed a lawsuit claiming that the Adult Parole Authority and its contractors should have realized the man was dangerous.
Link to Article

A Murderer Was Bored in Prison, So He Ran a Meth Ring From His Cell to Help His Friends, Attorney Says at Federal Sentencing
Tulsa World, (09/11/2018), Curtis Killman
A man who was serving a life sentence without possibility of parole has admitted he ran a methamphetamine ring from his jail cell out of boredom. Slint Kenneth Tate said he could not profit from the sales himself, but did it to help his friends make money and to occupy his time while in prison. Tate used contraband cell phones to run the operation.
Link to Article

As California Ends Money Bail, Tech Startup Aims to Help People Make Their Court Dates
Government Technology, (09/12/2018), Ben Miller
As California moves to make significant changes in its bail system, more jurisdictions are relying on a start-up company that sends out reminders to individuals to show up for their hearings. The system uses two-way communication so that if individuals have legitimate reasons for not making scheduled dates, they can request a postponement to a different date.
Link to Article

The Myth That Crime Rises as Prisons Shrink
Governing, (09/11/2018), Charis E. Kubrin and Bradley J. Bartos
This commentary looks at the issues surrounding California's adoption of Proposition 47, which downgraded a number of crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.
Link to Article

California Outlaws Drone Flights Over Prisons
Statescoop, (09/12/2018), Colin Wood
California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation that makes the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles over any correctional facility in the state punishable by a $500 fine. The law aims at stopping the use of drones to smuggle contraband such as cellphones and illegal drugs into correctional facilities.
Link to Article

The Financial Knowledge Inmates Need to Reenter Society
Governing, (09/06/2018), John Wetzel and Robin L. Wiessmann
This commentary looks at Pennsylvania's efforts to reduce recidivism by helping inmates achieve the tools they need to succeed, including a high school diploma or GED; job training; access to housing, medical care and employment; and financial capability.
Link to Article