GTL, a leader in transformative corrections technology, that was recognized with a Platinum Award Win for in the 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, has been selected by the Madison County Detention Center in Richmond, Kentucky, for installation of a new inmate telephone system to increase meaningful connections between inmates and their loved ones.
“Starting today, GTL is the new inmate communication provider for the Madison County Detention Center,” explained Jailer Steve Tussey.
“This new, intuitive technology not only better connects friends and family members to their incarcerated loved ones, it also provides security and investigation capabilities to the jail that allows us to increase security and safety.”
Over the next few weeks, the Detention Center will also begin GTL’s Inspire inmate tablet program to provide further services to inmates and their loved ones.
(The PBS affiliate in Arizona takes a look at how tablets are changing the face of corrections. Dramatic reductions in suicide attempts, assaults on both inmates and staff, better contact with family members of those incarcerated and more opportunities for both the inmates and the correctional facility make this program a win for all parties- inmates, correctional staff and the taxpayers. Courtesy of Arizonab Week, GTL and YouTube.)
The tablets will provide communication, entertainment, and other applications, including the ability to participate in on-site and remote video visitation.
Remote video visitation, offered in addition to on-site visitation, is an accessible method that allows friends, family, and professional visitors to stay connected to inmates by initiating video chats from the convenience of their tablet, computer, or mobile device.
Inmates can answer video chat requests right from their housing unit.
Friends and family members of inmates who would like to participate in these visitation sessions may do so by creating an account on GettingOut.
“Allowing inmates to conduct video visits from their housing units decreases the need for inmate movement, which reduces the opportunity for contraband distribution and makes our facility safer and more efficient,” added Tussey.
“This new service is safer for my staff and offers convenience to an inmate’s friends and family members, so they don’t have to travel to the facility to visit with their loved one.”
Providing the Opportunity for On-Premise or Remote Video Visitation
The GTL VisitMe video visitation solution allows federal, state, county, municipal, and private facilities to transition traditional in-person visitation service offerings to a more secure on-premise or remote alternative.
This highly scalable solution can help facilities of any size improve security while allowing staff time to be reallocated to more critical tasks. In addition, friends, family, and professional visitors are given a convenient, accessible way to stay connected with inmates.
(Learn About data security related to GTL’s Inspire inmate tablet programs. Courtesy of GTL and YouTube.)
With the on-premise solution available through VisitMe, visitation services can be conducted at predetermined locations within the immediate facility or at an established annex location.
Inmate visitation stations can be installed at specific locations throughout each housing unit so that inmates do not need to be moved. A visitation station can also be set up on a cart as a mobile solution for restricted classification offenders.
Utilizing the At-Home video visitation solution through VisitMe allows visitors to conduct their regular visitation sessions through most PCs, laptops, and tablets (Android or Apple iOS devices) without stepping onto facility property.
As these visitation sessions are conducted in an outside environment, correctional staff members are provided with several monitoring tools to prohibit any illicit activity.
Minimize Inmate Movements
With the implementation of the GTL VisitMe solution, visitation units are installed in strategic locations throughout each housing unit, reducing the need to coordinate inmate movements throughout the facility.
With the reduction of inmate movements, the threat of a safety and security breach will be drastically reduced so that staff can be reassigned to other duties.
Securely Monitor and Record Visits
With the security features built into the GTL VisitMe system, correctional officers monitoring the visitation sessions have the capability to record, interrupt, or terminate any visitation for lewd or inappropriate conduct as determined by the facility.
For visitation sessions that are classified as professional visits, the system will automatically disable the recording feature, keeping the facility within legal compliance.
Eliminate Contraband Introduction Opportunities
As individuals pass through the lobby of the correctional facility on a daily basis, the threat of contraband being introduced remains a reality.
Even without the availability of contact visits, contraband can be placed in an area often visited by inmates or employees.
With the introduction of on-premise or at-home visitation, visitors will conduct each session from a secure area, removed from any point that may allow the introduction of contraband.
“Studies have shown that increased communication with loved ones lessens the risk of a released inmate reoffending and returning to prison,” said Matthew Caesar, GTL Executive Vice President, Customer Solutions & Information Systems.
“We believe that Madison County Detention Center has taken the right steps to increase communication and open up pathways that were not available before by implementing technology that meets the needs of inmates, their friends and family members, and the Detention Center’s staff.”
GTL Took Platinum in the 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
GTL
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GTL Inspire Tablet
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Best Rugged Computer Tablet
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.
The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program drew an overwhelming response from industry leaders with a record high number of corporate and government nominations received, as well as record breaking ‘ASTORS’ Presentation Luncheon Attendees, with top firms trying to register for the exclusive high – end luncheon and networking opportunity – right up to the event kickoff on Wednesday afternoon, at the ISC East registration!
Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:
- The Department of Homeland Security
- The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
- Argonne National Laboratory
- The Department of Homeland Security
- The Department of Justice
- The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Desktop Alert.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland SecurityAwards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
2018 Champions Edition
See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’
Enter Early to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!
And be sure to Register Early for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!
Why the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?
American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
Why American Security Today?
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 70,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
The old traditional security marketplace has been covered by a host of security publications that have changed little over many years.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that provides our readers with solutions to their challenges.
Our Editorial staff provides a full plate of topics for our AST monthly digital editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts.
The editorial calendar and AST’s high drawing website features 23 different Technology and Marketing Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities and Emergency Response among others.
These sectors are part of the new integration, where these major applications communicate with one another in a variety of solutions to protect our cities and critical infrastructure.
AST has Expanded readership into vital Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other Potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – enticing targets for extremist or lone wolf attacks due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
(GTL is changing the face of corrections through education. Learn how innovative new technology can be utilized to save the taxpayers while simultaneously helping those who were incarcerated to gain life skills necessary to gain meaningful employment to reduce their chances of returning to jail or prison. Courtesy of GTL and YouTube.)
