Post by BC on Apr 18, 2009 6:12:18 GMT -5
TELL CITY, IN (WFIE) - Some security changes are being made at the prison in Perry County.
The changes were recommended after three inmates escaped the Branchville Correctional Facility last month.
The inmates were eventually caught in Nebraska. Prison officials took suggestions at a town hall meeting last weekend.
The following list is changes that have been made, or are in the process of being made:
1. Branchville Correctional Facility is now classified as a low-medium security facility and will only house offenders with eight years or less remaining on their sentences. Offenders' pending charges are also being taken into account when establishing their placement at Branchville. Branchville Correctional Facility has sent approximately 80 offenders, who no longer meet the facility's criteria, to higher security prisons across the state. As of April 16, 2009, all offenders housed at Branchville Correctional Facility meet the new criteria.
2. Branchville Correctional Facility is now using sentry dogs to maintain security between the dual perimeter fences.
3. Branchville Correctional Facility has also adopted a more controlled form of offender movement. All offender movement will take place at either the top or bottom of the hour and for only a five minute window of time. This will allow for better offender accountability and will also increase the level of overall offender supervision.
4. Branchville Correctional Facility is in the process of implementing a stricter set of criteria for offenders assigned to outside work details and all maintenance positions. All offenders assigned to these positions are being kept inside the perimeter fence until they can be re-evaluated based on the new criteria.
5. Although not a direct result of this past incident, Branchville Correctional Facility will be installing new "High Mast Lighting" throughout the facility to provide enhanced security at night. The lighting and materials are on grounds and installation will begin in the near future.
6. Offenders participating in Branchville Correctional Facility's work crews will now be required to wear bright yellow jumpsuits in order to make them more visible while working outdoors.
www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=10203479&nav=menu54_3
The changes were recommended after three inmates escaped the Branchville Correctional Facility last month.
The inmates were eventually caught in Nebraska. Prison officials took suggestions at a town hall meeting last weekend.
The following list is changes that have been made, or are in the process of being made:
1. Branchville Correctional Facility is now classified as a low-medium security facility and will only house offenders with eight years or less remaining on their sentences. Offenders' pending charges are also being taken into account when establishing their placement at Branchville. Branchville Correctional Facility has sent approximately 80 offenders, who no longer meet the facility's criteria, to higher security prisons across the state. As of April 16, 2009, all offenders housed at Branchville Correctional Facility meet the new criteria.
2. Branchville Correctional Facility is now using sentry dogs to maintain security between the dual perimeter fences.
3. Branchville Correctional Facility has also adopted a more controlled form of offender movement. All offender movement will take place at either the top or bottom of the hour and for only a five minute window of time. This will allow for better offender accountability and will also increase the level of overall offender supervision.
4. Branchville Correctional Facility is in the process of implementing a stricter set of criteria for offenders assigned to outside work details and all maintenance positions. All offenders assigned to these positions are being kept inside the perimeter fence until they can be re-evaluated based on the new criteria.
5. Although not a direct result of this past incident, Branchville Correctional Facility will be installing new "High Mast Lighting" throughout the facility to provide enhanced security at night. The lighting and materials are on grounds and installation will begin in the near future.
6. Offenders participating in Branchville Correctional Facility's work crews will now be required to wear bright yellow jumpsuits in order to make them more visible while working outdoors.
www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=10203479&nav=menu54_3