NCJ Number
185122
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2000 Pages: 118-123
Date Published
July 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the perimeter security upgrades made at the Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF) in Lino Lakes.
Abstract
The objectives of the security upgrade programs were to significantly improve the physical barriers to maximize the intimidation factor and also significantly increase the time delay in an attempted escape. Closely associated with these objectives was the need to quickly assess the validity of any alarms that came from the perimeter, so that response activity would be appropriate with minimal time delay. The need for more razor wire between the fences for intimidation purposes had already been recognized, and the barbed wire at the top of the inner fence provided little delay or deterrent. Prison officials also were aware of the need to replace the existing shaker system and were assessing the use of a different means of video assessment of perimeter alarms, including the possible use of video motion detection as an additional alarm input. Since a portion of the development surrounding the prison was residential, the upgrade also had the objectives of minimizing light pollution into the neighborhood and minimizing perimeter activity that might give the false impression that the neighborhood was in constant danger. Complicating the achievement of these objectives was the Minnesota climate; any system used had to perform reliably over the range of weather conditions. The second half of this article explains how the objectives of the upgrade were achieved.