NCJ Number
191852
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 65 Issue: 2 Dated: September 2001 Pages: 35-37
Editor(s)
Ellen W. Fielding
Date Published
2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes Utah’s strategies of success in increasing police and offender communication through the use of technical advances such as pagers and kiosks.
Abstract
Utah’s police officers have a system through which they can contact defendants or offenders through pagers to leave specific instructions. These pagers are specifically designed so that only the supervising officer can reach the defendant. A new system being developed is a kiosk that has specialized features and codes that are used in identifying the suspect, such as fingerprints. Features of a kiosk include a biometric scanner, touch-screen monitors, printer, vision strobe scanner, and a digital camera. A CPU and Windows program process the information. The kiosk is an “ergonomic” design to provide easy access including to people with disabilities. Through it, the offender can receive and send information to officers. Kiosks can also provide general information, such as job service or counseling centers. Other uses include check-in points for those who can travel, or for use during non-business hours. Both the pager and kiosk are designed to resist tampering. Also, these devices can help eliminate the problem of overcrowded jails or temporary housing facilities used for high risk defendants. These devices are not to replace law enforcement officers, but to allow them to spend more time in the field. Endnotes