Emerald Systems’ Jail Management
System, SENTINEL
By midyear 2005, 95% of jail beds were rated as
occupied. Inmate numbers have
been steadily increasing over the years, and recently, over one third of
inmates reported having a medical problem.
Correctional facilities are having difficulty managing this
ever-growing number of prisoners and their records, due to a staffing
deficit and low-level software capabilities.
Traditional jail software has been unable to conform to the
ever-changing and complex environment of the industry.
Emerald Systems, Inc.
created their SENTINEL
jail management software with biometric capabilities to address these needs.
SENTINEL is a comprehensive, web-based application that provides a
robust solution to the evolving needs of correctional facilities.
The SENTINEL system utilizes the fingerprint identification and
verification software, Bio-Plugin™,
provided by M2SYS.
Bio-Plugin™ enables software companies to quickly integrate a
complete, seamless fingerprint recognition system, including a
high-performance 1:N identification engine. Bio-Plugin™ eliminates the
system dependencies, extensive development, and specialized knowledge of
biometric complexities inherent to fingerprint
technology SDKs. This enables software companies to remain focused on
their core products, while establishing a new revenue channel with the
addition of an integrated biometric component.
SENTINEL is integrated with the Bio-Plugin™ software, utilizing the
fingerprint module to identify inmates, avoid duplicate booking of prior
inmates, disperse correct medicinal materials, track inmate location, and to
verify inmate’s identity at the time of release.
When new inmates are booked, they are easily enrolled in the system by
placing one or two of their fingers on a fingerprint
reader. The reader then
scans and stores the fingerprint. Because
of Bio-Plugin’s™ unique algorithm, fingerprints are never stored as
images but rather as a series of numbers, completely eliminating the
possibility of identity theft. If the inmate has been priorly incarcerated,
the system alerts the booker and displays the inmate’s incarceration
history. The fingerprint
recognition software aids in situations where an individual will not give
his correct identity, or even refuses to give any identification
information.
Positively verifying identification is extremely important in
dispensing medication. Inmates
often lie about their identity to receive medication that is attractive to
them, causing those who really need it to suffer.
With a fingerprint verification system, no medication can be wrongly
dispersed. Each inmate has a
unique fingerprint, and only if that fingerprint is recognized will
medication be given.
By placing fingerprint readers at key areas in a jail,
the SENTINEL system can track inmate movements throughout the day.
Inmate whereabouts can be determined at any time, which increases
inmate accountability and in turn, increases overall jail security and
safety.
At the time of release, the system utilizes the
innovative Bio-Plugin technology by performing a 1:1 fingerprint
verification of the inmate to be released.
An alarming number of inmates will pay to switch ID bracelets with
another inmate who is to be released earlier.
With biometric identification in place, this occurrence is
alleviated. If the scanned
fingerprint of the inmate does not match the fingerprint in the system, the
inmate will not be released. Stamping
out false inmate releases increases the safety and well-being of those in
the community.
Because Bio-Plugin™
is completely scalable fingerprint software; it can support tens of
thousands of fingerprint records. The
integration of Bio-Plugin™ into the SENTINEL jail management system
increases employee efficiency by reducing the time needed to manage records.
Costs are decreased through the elimination of paperwork and filing
expenses. With M2SYS’ Bio-Plugin™
biometric technology, the liabilities inherent with identity management in
the public safety sector are virtually eliminated. Inmate intake, release,
medicine dispersal and location tracking are controlled by the secure,
accurate and efficient fingerprinting technology.
