Biometrics deployed in prisons

The Department of Correctional Services has deployed an R88 million
security system that uses biometric technology in prisons countrywide.The
installation of the new security system from Sandolo Consortium started in
June 2005 in Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. It has now been
installed in 66 prisons and all prisons will have the system by March next
year.The system controls and monitors access to correctional centres."If a
person visits the centre, an official has to be present to allow them in
or out. The official will use their fingerprint instead of a card for
entry and exit to the individual centres," says Manelisi Wolela, deputy
commissioner of communication for the department.The system includes
parcel scanners, metal detectors and a turnstile gate, which is a
print-reading facility used to monitor access in the centres, he adds.
"This is the best identification system that we have installed. It has
integrated use within the individual centre and a number of screens for
the officials to view who comes in and out. To ensure the success of the
inspection, a central checkpoint is set up by individual centres."
Correctional services minister Ngconde Balfour says the security system is
expected to improve safety and security in centres, and enhance the
department's fight against fraud, corruption and unethical behaviour of
officials, members of the public and offenders."The system is designed to
help officials to focus more on the rehabilitation of offenders with
improved safety and security," he says.Though minimising the escape rate
in correctional centres is a central factor to the installation of this
system, Wolela says: "The system hasn't been around for a long time, so we
can't expect to see measurable results as to the number of escapes. The
fact remains that there are still escapes and we don't want that."