those who live in our institutions , also to our staff and our stakeholders so when IT systems go down lives are at stake .’
Bonk concedes that CSC has been a later starter . ‘ We have walls three feet thick and a century old . Wi-Fi is not enough . We need to be far more innovative with the way we monitor , gather data and run multi-level systems .’
CSC , with the help of its longtime partner Cistel Technology is embracing IoT . They both call this the modernization of corrections .
Cistel Technology has been in the cloud since 2014 . CSC is a recent migrant . Together , with the added pressure of the pandemic , minds have been even more focused on the future and delivering IT solutions faster than ever . Both agree that this approach is creating ideas and opportunities which could go beyond the prison service .
‘ These challenges have crystalized the thinking within our organization ,’ says Bonk . ‘ There is a real opportunity – not just our bricks and mortar strategy but also our digital infrastructure and our cultural evolution . Cistel Technology is turning this vision into a reality .
Smith explains how :
‘ Our R & D department is a trailblazer . We are developing sensor networks , tracking and location services using IoT thinking . Initially this was for disaster mitigation to help first responders .
‘ Now , this thinking and technology is finding a place in the corrections and incarceration business . There are innovative ways to use the intelligent edge of IoT to ensure the safety of inmates in different ways .
Bonk cites the routine but continual and vital process of bed checks . ‘ Low emission blue tooth and sensors to monitor provide early indications of any inmate in distress . This means warders can carry out other tasks instead of doing time inefficient “ rounds ”.
Another technology Cistel Technology and CSC is developing is handheld devices linked to RFID which improve reporting and monitoring across a range of duties and responsibilities .
Learn more
www . cistel . com
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