Importance of surveillance cameras in prisons

Importance of surveillance cameras in prisons

Thesis statement

Prisons in the state of Florida should have cameras throughout the facility, because it would help slow down or may even stop the crime that go on by the inmates and the guards in the facility. Some inmates are killed in prison and the murder is unsolved. Some guards also do illegal activity and not even aware they are putting themselves and others in harm way by bringing contraband inside the prison gates

Clarke, M. (2015, May 4). Contraband smuggling a problem at prisons and jails nationwide. Prison Legal News. Retrieved January 15, 2013, from

For us to ascertain whether we need cameras in Florida prisons or not, it would be important to look at how much of an epidemic contrabands and crime rates in prison is in America.

Statistics from the prison legal news indicate that the smuggling of prohibited items e.g. drugs, cell phones and cigarettes into jails and prisons are a major problem throughout the country. Florida is no exception, as 22 female prisoners in St. Johns County Jail failed a Suboxone test, a drug that is used for the treatment of heroin addiction in a test conducted in September 2012. An investigation later by the jail officials found out that the drug was concealed in strip form in envelopes that were mailed to one inmate from outside by her friend, who was later charged for smuggling contrabands. The Newspaper concluded that it is a serious problem that needs to be addressed effectively, and this is where I suggest the installation of cameras in the correctional facilities.

Allard, T. Stewart A & wortley R. 2005 The Purposes of CCTV in Prison. Unpublished

Dissertation. Brisbane: School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University.

This research by Allard, Stewart and Wortley (2005) was conducted to ascertain the purposes and importance CCTV surveillance cameras in prison. Despite the huge financial investments in these cameras and clear satisfaction with their performance, few studies have shown why cameras are important in prisons.

Although other research conducted in community settings outline the purposes of cameras as prevention, improving safety, detection and acting as a tool for general site management, this research through content analysis of legislation, physical audits of prisons and interviews with prison managers determined why cameras are useful specifically in prisons. The overall findings of the research suggested that cameras in prisons were handy as a means to detect and/or prevent specific bad behaviors e.g. contraband entering the prison, suicide, self-harm and even escapes. Also, Allard, Stewart and Wortley (2005) found out that they are a means of facilitating the co-ordination of incident responses, gathering of evidence and improving safety.

Since most of the new prisons have CCTV cameras installed, and most these prisons’ administrators are generally satisfied with their performance (Allard, Stewart and Wortley 2005), the prisons in the state of Florida should also follow suit to ensure reduced crime rates in the cells.

Marsh, I. (2011). Crime and criminal justice. New York, NY:. Routledge.

Marsh (2011) in his book brings develops a different perspective of the use of CCTV cameras in prison, owing to privacy issues. He indicates that in a study done at a metropolitan police custody, some inmates were not so much comfortable with the surveillance cameras, since they felt that it was an invasion of their privacy. The inmates that were surveyed particularly indicate that they were not happy because it went to the extent of them being filmed on the use of the toilets. Police officers that were responsible for manning the surveillance systems were found to be so much concerned about filming rather than the actual surveillance they are supposed to be doing. Marsh (2011) further notes that these cameras are not suitable necessary because they attack the liberties of individuals and put their privacy in jeopardy. He however doesn’t dismiss the use of surveillance in prisons and custodies, but restricts their use o only at the entrances and public places, where all the smuggling happens.

ftsshot. (Apr 25, 2012). New York, long island prison fight CCTV camera

[Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-sSnfHAZcQ

This video clearly shows what goes on in the correctional facilities. With the CCTV camera footage, it was so much easy for the investigators to know what transpired. Being just one of the benefits of having cameras in prisons in Florida, the benefits of having these cameras installed can therefore not be underestimated. Such footages also help prevent future crimes and fight like these ones, and it is possible that were it not for the camera, there would have been further injuries.

This footage can also be used as evidence against the perpetrator of the fight, since it can’t be manipulated. I therefore strongly believe that we desperately need cameras in Florida prisons, so that we can avoid such fights as this in future.

References

Allard, T. Stewart A & wortley R. 2005 The Purposes of CCTV in Prison. Unpublished

Dissertation. Brisbane: School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University.

Clarke, M. (2015, May 4). Contraband smuggling a problem at prisons and jails nationwide.

Prison Legal News. Retrieved January 15, 2013, from https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/new s/2013/jan/15/contraband-smuggling-a-problem-at-prisons-and-jails-nationwide/

ftsshot. (Apr 25, 2012). New York, long island prison fight CCTV camera

[Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-sSnfHAZcQ

Marsh, I. (2011). Crime and criminal justice. New York, NY:. Routledge.