NCJ Number
186724
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 62 Issue: 7 Dated: December 2000 Pages: 164-167
Date Published
December 2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article reviews developments in language translation technology and some applications in corrections and criminal justice activities.
Abstract
Correctional applications of language translation technology include booking inmates, advising of rights, direct communication with inmates, screening and emergency treatment, incident control to issue commands, and front desk and lobby instructions. Projects currently being developed include the Voice Response Translator. This device uses voice recognition technology to determine what phrase to emit in response to an operator's spoken command prompt. The device is portable; phrases are prerecorded by fluent speakers, not machine-synthesized voices; it is fully programmable; and offers hands-free operation. CopTrans recognizes what is said and in what language and then translates each message into the language chosen by the operator. Within the limits of its vocabulary and grammar, CopTrans permits two users without a common language to communicate in real time. CopTrans also analyzes the content of the digitized audio record and transcribes it, appropriately formatted, to an electronic form. References