Maryland To Spend $7 Million On Security In Prisons
State corrections officials in Maryland have announced they will spend $7 million to purchase surveillance cameras, radios, protective vests, and other security gear to make the state’s jails safer.
John A. Rowley, the new state prisons chief, said he talked with wardens and other personnel to determine the requirements for safer operations in Maryland’s prisons. He said Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. “gave us everything we asked for” in the preliminary bundle of requests.
Supporters of gubernatorial candidate Martin O’Malley, the mayor of Baltimore, say the move was an effort by the governor to secure votes from correctional officers. Specifically, $2.1 million has been allocated for more surveillance cameras for the Maryland House of Correction, Patuxent Institute, and Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center as well as $1 million to expand intelligence collection systems in prisons statewide.
Another $2.1 million has been earmarked for walk-through scanners for staff and visitors, x-ray conveyers for examining packages, and stab-resistant vests, radio systems, and other items.
Moreover, security and transport vehicles that are more than 10 years old or have upwards of 100,000 of mileage will be replaced at a cost of approximately $2 million, said officials. The department will also establish a hot line for prison personnel to report security problems directly to top officials.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Baltimore Sun (09/02/06) P. 1B; Garland, Greg .
