Biometric Identification Technology
- Biometrics refers to technologies that measure and analyze human body characteristics, such as fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial patterns and hand measurements, for authentication purposes.
- New ERC has provisions for biometric identification technology to increase centre security (e.g. for staff to enter and leave the facility).
Video Visitation
- Video visitation employs teleconferencing technology to connect inmates to friends and family members.
- Video visitation increases security as well as increasing access to visitation for inmates and visitors.
- Inmates will visit from stations located in the common area of the living units and thus will not need to be escorted to a shared visiting area. This eliminates safety concerns associated with mixing incompatible inmates in shared areas.
Video Court
- Technology is changing the need for physical proximity to court facilities.
- Where video court is available, 65% of all court appearances appear by video conferencing. Once New ERC is operational, video court will be available for Edmonton court appearances.
- The video court/video interview booths also employ videoconferencing technology for privileged conversations between inmates and lawyers.
- There will be a total of 55 combination video court/video interview booths at New ERC.
Inmate information Kiosks
- information kiosks will be a resource for inmates to access information such as legal resources, court dates, commissary, centre information, and answers to frequently asked questions.
- There will be 2 inmate information kiosks on each regular living unit.
Cameras
- Total of 1490 cameras will be located throughout New ERC.
- Cameras will be digitally recorded with 30 day retention.
