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Video Surveillance Versus Night Awake Staff in a Residential Treatment Setting

NCJ Number
241025
Journal
Residential Treatment for Children & Youth Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: April - June 2012 Pages: 132-140
Author(s)
Robert W. Hill, Ph.D., ABPP; Douglas Waring, Ph.D.; Lisa Walker, Psy.D.
Date Published
May 2012
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The use of video camera security was compared to overnight awake staff on a multi-cottage campus providing residential treatment to adolescents.
Abstract
The use of video camera security was compared to overnight awake staff on a multi-cottage campus providing residential treatment to adolescents. Two investigations, 2 years apart, used video camera observation (with audio and motion detectors) concurrent with overnight awake staff to detect night awake activity. Video observation by security staff detected a total of 459 "risky" activities compared to 6 of those same activities detected by overnight awake staff. The use of surveillance technology is preferable to night awake staff for many reasons, including the resultant safety of children and the reduction of staff transitions for children in residence. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.