Challenge with Monitoring Correctional Medical Facilities

Are there other options for monitoring incarcerated individuals, clinical staff (medical and mental health) and correctional staff in medical facilities such as infirmaries, medical rooms or exam rooms that need medical privacy?

That’s a relevant question in the Roberts Brooks case in New York. His lawyers claim that he was intentionally taken to the infirmary to be beaten because there were no cameras in that area, primarily due to medical privacy concerns. Homicide charges have been brought against six officers who are accused of being involved with the incident, because camera footage was obtained from body cameras. 

Most people will agree that incarcerated patients should have the right to privacy in medical settings, especially during exams. Prison and jail medical facilities are meant to be safe for both the patients receiving exams, treatments and recovery and the clinical staff providing the services and care. Using live feed mounted cameras, or even body cameras, impedes on a patient’s privacy in terms of HIPAA standards and personal privacy.

So, how can adequate security and safety measures be provided for all persons involved while respecting someone’s privacy? 

New devices utilizing radar and sensor fusion technologies may be a viable option. This technology provides a way to monitor these locations without digital camera feeds. The units are equipped with radar, thermal imaging and computer vision that can capture thermal video footage in RGB format (red, green, and blue color components of an image are transmitted separately) for detailed visual records and computer vision instead of video capture.

Sensor fusion technology combines data from multiple sensors such as cameras, radar, LiDAR and inertial measurement units (IMUs) to create a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the surrounding environment. The sensor signals are processed and combined using algorithms to create a unified view of the environment. 

When sensor fusion technology is paired with artificial intelligence (AI) and expert programming prompts, it becomes a valuable tool for monitoring inmates, maintaining safe environments and alerting to movement in sensitive areas. This technology is a viable solution to monitoring medical facilities that must maintain inmate privacy and HIPAA standards. 

Rahm Sensor Development has introduced the Cell-Guardian product for use in correctional facilities.This solution offers a zero-touch, no wearable device, monitoring system that captures thermal and live video via a camera device.The unit can be mounted to either a cell wall or ceiling. Since it’s accessible via a secure browser, the system is easily integrated into existing monitoring or network systems.

By implementing units like Cell-Guardian into jail and prison cells and infirmaries, correctional facilities have the ability to track movement, detect falls and monitor cell temperature that can be predictors of life threatening or safety-related behaviors. The system detects movement and will notify the correctional staff instantly if someone is entering a room or even if someone falls or moves erratically outside a normal range of predicted behaviors. This allows for constant monitoring of individuals who are in distress, may be detoxing or have medical issues. It also gives correctional staff a second pair of eyes to watch over those in their care, especially in sensitive medical facility areas.

As sensor fusion technology expands, monitoring systems will be able to sense vital signs such as heart rate and respiratory rate which will elevate medical and health care in correctional settings. The technology may even be able to quickly detect one-on-one behaviors such as fighting, assault or sexual abuse sending an alert for a faster response. The possibilities to use technology in a way that reduces stress on staff and provides for a safer environment and better care for incarcerated individuals are just beginning to take shape. 

To learn more about Cell-Guardian, visit cell-guardian.com