Criminal Justice Technology in the News

Law Enforcement News

Contra Costa Sheriff's Office to Add Rapid DNA Technology to Its Arsenal
The Mercury News, (01/16/2019), Annie Sciacca and Nate Gartrell for the Bay Area News Group
The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office plans to buy rapid DNA technology, which reduces the time it takes to handle and test DNA. The technology should help identify criminal suspects or victims of major disasters such as fires. Rapid DNA technology has shortened the test time from weeks to about 90 minutes.
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D.C. Mayor Announces Large New Investment in Opioid Overdose Antidote
The Washington Post, (01/18/2019), Peter Jamison
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel E. Bowser has pledged to buy more than 50,000 naloxone kits as part of new efforts to address the city's opioid crisis. The kits would be given to police officers, community organizations, drug users and city residents who know people at risk of a drug overdose. Naloxone is used to reverse opioid overdoses.
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Naperville Police Equip Every Patrol Car With Bean-Bag Shotgun
Naperville Sun, (01/18/2019), Suzanne Baker
Every squad car in the Naperville Police Department is equipped with a beanbag shotgun. The gun is seen as a means to disable violent persons who are in danger of injuring themselves or others but are not direct threats wherein deadly force is necessary, according to police. The shotguns are orange-colored and have less lethal markings on the stock.
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Urbana Police Set to Roll Out New Body Cameras
The News-Gazette, (01/18/2019), Mary Schenk
Body-worn cameras are among the technology in an integrated video recording system purchased by the Urbana Police Department in Illinois. The system includes 14 squad-car cameras, 60 body-worn cameras, two interview-room cameras, a server, software and other support items.
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Police Unveil New Body Cameras
Trumbull Times, (01/18/2019), Donald Eng
Police in Trumbull, Conn., are among the latest law enforcement agencies to be equipped with body cameras, which will be use to record evidence and interactions with the community. The cameras will be used under a department policy that dictates when the camera is to be activated, and specific situations when it should not be used.
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Corrections News

U-M Student Podcast Helps Former Prisoners Tell Their Stories
Michigan News, (01/08/2019)
Students at the University of Michigan are producing a podcast that features former inmates discussing their experience of coming home after being incarcerated. Producers expect the narratives in the "While We Were Away” podcast to serve as guidebooks for those seeking knowledge, peace, comfort and joy in life on the outside.
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From a Cell to a Home: Newly Released Inmates Matched With Welcoming Hosts
NPR, (01/16/2019)
The Homecoming Project in Alameda County, Calif., is matching prisoners being released after long sentences with homeowners and renters. The nonprofit behind the program pays the former inmates' rent for six months and actively supports the partnership.
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Giving Inmates Tablets Will Help With Staffing, Safety Issues, SC Prisons Director Says
The State, (01/21/2019), Emily Bohatch
South Carolina plans to provide modified tablet computers to some inmates under a pilot program. Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling said the program will provide tablets preloaded with approved content such as access to online classes and music. The tablets will also allow monitored phone calls and emails.
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In-Person Visitations Restored at Mecklenburg County Jails, Sheriff's Office Says
WFAE, (01/16/2019)
In-person visitations have been fully restored at the Mecklenburg County jail. A previous policy allowed video-only visitation. The sheriff's office says inmates will be able to have one weekly in-person, face-to-face visit in the jail in addition to one weekly video visitation conducted at an administrative building.
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Vermont Prison Staff Will Carry Opioid Rescue Medication Narcan After Rise in Overdoses
Burlington Free Press, (01/22/2019), Jess Aloe
The Vermont Department of Corrections plans to more than double the number of staff carrying the opioid overdose-reversal drug naloxone. The state's prison system will go from having 284 correctional officers trained in the use of the medication to 774.
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