NCJ Number
206172
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 31 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2004 Pages: 168,170,173
Date Published
June 2004
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes CORMAP, a computer system that combines inmate management analysis with facility management analysis to increase security in correctional facilities.
Abstract
The ability to identify potential security problems before they occur can deter prison riots and other violent events. The CORMAP software is designed to spot potential problems among inmate populations and within the facility design. CORMAR, a joint project between the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC-SE) and the United States Energy Department’s Savannah River Technology Center, works by combining geographical information system (GIS) technology with computer aided design (CAD) technology to create a three-dimensional layout of correctional facilities. The CORMAP system also connects a facility’s layout to their inmate records database, allowing officials to see inmate patterns; it is possible to color-code inmates based on medical, religious, or other criteria. Being able to visualize inmates within the facility allows officials to better plan where to place inmates, decreasing the chances of violent encounters. Similarly, the system can be used to analyze why violent situations occurred by establishing a pattern. CORMAP also allows inmates to be tracked by activity patterns, such as inmate’s visit patterns or mail patterns, and by contagious diseases. The flexibility of the system allows it to be tailored to fit virtually any correctional facility environment. The NLECTC-SE is undergoing an effort to get CORMAP into the field for beta testing in order to assure that the product takes into account as many correctional agency needs as possible. One suggestion being followed up on is to build a CORMAP version using MapInfo to accommodate agencies that do have ESRI’s ArcView. CORMAP is not currently designed to manage community corrections population, but future versions of CORMAP may eventually have this capability. Other future improvements are discussed, including using CORMAP as a crime analysis tool. CORMAP may even expand its uses into schools, hospitals, and corporate buildings. It is imperative that law enforcement voice their needs and utilize current technologies to their full advantage.