Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Prison has new
security system
A $585,000 system at OCCC
By Gregg K. Kakesako
utilizes 71 high-resolution video
cameras and 14 monitors
Star-BulletinTwo years ago, two Oahu Community Correction Center inmates overpowered a guard, leaving him lying in a pool of blood as they made their escape from the Kalihi facility after scaling three 16-foot chain-link fences.
"No one knew that the officer had been beaten and was by himself," said state Public Safety Director Ted Sakai.
But a new $585,000 security system that involves 71 high-resolution color video cameras and became operational several weeks ago at OCCC should prevent such occurrences, Sakai said.
"There is no such thing as an escape-proof prison," Sakai added. "This will slow inmates down and increase our response time."
Clayton Frank, OCCC warden, said the new security system, which was designed by Diebold, was installed with the help of some of OCCC's 1,063 inmates, which meant the state saved $185,000.
Frank said inmate labor was used to dig trenches along the fence line of the 20-acre prison and in the recreation yard for the security cable system.
"The goal of the system is to enhance security and safety not only for the ACOs (adult corrections officers), but also the inmates and the general public."
Bob Young, commercial sales manager for Diebold, said 41 of the video cameras are constantly recording the activities in the prison. Twelve of these cameras can be remotely controlled to rotate 360 degrees.
Six cameras are strategically located along the prison's fence line and also trained on the rooftop of buildings that inmates have used in escapes.
Prison guards monitoring the perimeter can pan, tilt and zoom in on specific locations.
Young said the cameras are sensitive enough to pierce the darkness of the night and project a clear image.
Each of the 14 housing units at OCCC has one camera in a strategic location where Frank can monitor all of the activities in the module. The cameras cannot see into any of the 48 cells in the module, protecting the inmates' privacy, Frank said.
Sgt. Herbert Hew Len, who oversees the five-man operation in Housing Module 11, said the surveillance system is "long overdue."
"I love it. It makes my job easier. ... It makes it safe for me and my staff."
Fourteen high-resolution monitors are located at six stations, including Frank's office and the two guard towers.
From his office Frank can either monitor several locations at the same time on one television monitor or isolate one location.
Pending before lawmakers this session is a request for $190,000 to set up a limited surveillance system at Halawa Correctional Facility, Sakai said. Cameras would be set up in the holding and medical areas and along the perimeter.
Sakai said OCCC used to have a limited black-and-white video surveillance system, which was set up in the 1970s, but it has not worked for nearly a decade.
