Criminal Justice Technology in the News

Law Enforcement News

Texas EMS Agency to Equip Paramedics With Full Body Cameras
Ems1.com, (01/08/2019), EMS1 Staff
A Texas EMS agency will equip its paramedics with body cameras, following a trial period during which use of the technology helped save two lives. Cypress Creek EMS Executive Director Bradley England said the technology allowed paramedics to show emergency room doctors exactly what they saw in the field. He said the technology also proved to be a teaching tool and accelerated advanced certifications.
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New Santa Rosa Schools Security System Requires Visitor ID, Permission to Enter Schools
Pensacola News Journal, (01/10/2019), Jacob Newby
The Santa Rosa County School District in Florida is installing closed-access control systems at all of its schools. Every school will have at least one closed-access control system installed at its main entry points, with high schools likely installing two or three. Also, visitors must present a valid driver's license or identification card and a reason for entry into the school.
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Birmingham Police Department Seeks New Software That Helps Predict Crime
WBRC, (01/11/2019), Melanie Posey
The police department in Birmingham, Ala., wants to begin using software to help predict where crime is likely to occur. Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith says the department needs to do more predictive policing.
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Mesa Internet Crimes Against Children Unit Putting New Mobile Forensic Lab to Good Use
Abc15, (01/12/2019), Sonu Wasu
A mobile forensics lab is helping the Mesa Internet Crimes Against Children unit perform investigations. The mobile lab allows police investigators to process digital information at the crime scene. It can eliminate the step of having to drive computers, hard drives and cell phones to a special lab to be processed.
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Cayuga County Residents Can Provide Emergency Responders With Advanced Info
Auburnpub.com, (01/12/2019), Ryan Franklin
A system at the Cayuga County, N.Y., Emergency Communications Department allows residents with special needs and medical conditions to call the department's nonemergency line to provide dispatchers with information about themselves or family members. The information can help first responders be prepared in an emergency 911 situation.
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New System to Expand on Amber Alerts
Journal Courier, (01/14/2019), Nick Draper
A new state alert system in Illinois is intended to help police find people who are missing but are not covered by the Amber Alert system. The Illinois State Wide Alert System will send alerts to those who opt-in via their cell phones or email. The new system hopes to alert the public without those who disappear having to meet the same criteria as an Amber Alert.
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Corrections News

Maine Prisons Introduce Tablet Program to Train Offenders
News Center Maine, (01/10/2019), Chloe Teboe
The Maine Department of Corrections is introducing a tablet program to prisons to help prepare offenders for re-entry into the labor force. The program will provide educational, vocational and life-skill content.
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Pennsylvania State Inmate Population Fell Again Last Year
The Morning Call, (01/11/2019), by Associated Press
Officials say the number of inmates in Pennsylvania's state prisons fell by 2.2 percent last year, the sixth decline in the past seven years. Total inmate numbers fell to 47,370, or 1,068 fewer than were incarcerated in state prisons at end of 2017.
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Seminole County Jail Ditches Letters for Electronic Messages. Video Calls to Take Place of Inmate Visits.
Orlando Sentinel, (01/11/2019), Michael Williams
A new system requires jail inmates in Seminole County to view digital copies of letters from family and friends, rather than receiving paper copies. The jail also plans to replace in-person visits at the jail with a video-visitation system. Inmates can instantly send and receive electronic messages similar to text messages or emails, but monitored by jail staff.
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