Stanley’s Prison Security Solution Earns Installation of the Year Runner-Up Honor
Washington County Jail now enjoys greater situational awareness and precision video thanks to Stanley’s PSIM and Genetec VMS implementation.
Stakeholders for Washington County Jail in Stillwater, Minn., sought an upgraded security solution to replace its 15-year-old system.
Because Washington County Jail is a government-owned facility, it is subject to tight budgets, state and federal oversite, and strict timelines, notes facilities commander Roger Heinen, who oversees roughly 90 staff members and 228 inmates.
The decision-makers relied upon systems integrator Stanley Security following bid submission and contract finalization in October 2015. The installation for the five-story, 109,500-square-foot facility was unique because it had to be completed and tested at Stanley’s Indianapolis headquarters before shipping and installing, so at no point would the security system be inactive during the complete overhaul, explains Mickey Wydick, sales engineer, Stanley Security.
Preplanning took 12 months and the installation itself required another full year, comprising an IP video camera recording system, PLC (programmable logic controllers) control system, intercom communications and Stanley’s Security Commander PSIM.
The robust video system features 245 cameras from Panasonic, Arecont Vision, Axis Communications and Sony. A Genetec VMS was integrated into a BCDVideo recording system that communicates with networks, monitors and cameras.
“Washington County Jail now has the ability to utilize facial recognition via their cameras, making it easier to pick out inmates who may have been involved in an altercation or other event,” says Wydick, adding that a failover server was installed as well, so if the main video server were to go down the system could be maintained while it was being repaired.
An Allen-Bradley PLC control system provides continuous monitoring while also offering the ability to change a process or operation quick and easy, “a necessity in a fast-moving environment.”
The Harding intercom communication system includes loudspeakers placed at strategic points within the facility to makes it sipler for staff and correctional officers to receive messages at the same time, while also having the ability to find a specific individual swiftly, Wydick says.
Stanley developed and provided a detailed implementation plan, greatly appreciated by the end user, that laid out which areas would be affected during which time periods from a week to months in advance.
“In addition, Stanley Security engineers and subcontractors were not allowed to move to the next space without the approval and supervision of the jail officers,” says Heinen. “They also kept a detailed inventory of tools and products to make sure there was nothing left behind that could cause danger for any individual in the facility.”
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About the Author
Arlen Schweiger
Arlen Schweiger is editor-in-chief of SSI's sister publication, CE Pro. He was SSI's managing editor from August 2018 to June 2023.
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The article doesn’t mention that the design and owner’s representation project management was performed by Elert & Associates, A True North company (www.tncg.com). The design was developed after a detailed needs assessment phase identifying the specific goals, schedule, and budget for the project. An RFP was then issued for competitive bids, per public bidding requirements, and was awarded to Stanley Corrections based on 100-point evaluation criteria to best meet the project needs. It was a great project and a job well done by all!