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Prison systems adding body-worn cameras to security plans

In this July 28, 2021 image made from a security video taken from a guard's body-worn camera, guards at the Ohio State Penitentiary break up a fight between two inmates in Youngstown, Ohio. In contrast to a stationary camera's perspective of the same moment, the body-worn camera provides a closer view of the situation that includes audio. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction piloted use of the cameras earlier this year and hopes to announce by year's end which of four companies has won a contract estimated at about $17 million a year. (Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction via AP).
In this July 28, 2021 image made from a security video taken from a guard's body-worn camera, guards at the Ohio State Penitentiary break up a fight between two inmates in Youngstown, Ohio. In contrast to a stationary camera's perspective of the same moment, the body-worn camera provides a closer view of the situation that includes audio. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction piloted use of the cameras earlier this year and hopes to announce by year's end which of four companies has won a contract estimated at about $17 million a year. (Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction via AP). In this July 28, 2021 image made from a security video taken from a guard's body-worn camera, guards at the Ohio State Penitentiary break up a fight between two inmates in Youngstown, Ohio. In contrast to a stationary camera's perspective of the same moment, the body-worn camera provides a closer view of the situation that includes audio. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction piloted use of the cameras earlier this year and hopes to announce by year's end which of four companies has won a contract estimated at about $17 million a year. (Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction via AP).

By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS / Associated Press 5 min read

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A growing number of states’ prison systems are outfitting guards with body-worn cameras, even in correctional environments already covered by thousands of stationary security cameras.

Agencies hope the extra cameras will help reduce violence and hold both inmates and guards accountable, although experts and unions question their usefulness on top of existing cameras.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction hopes to announce by year’s end which of four companies has won a contract estimated at about $17 million a year.

The Ohio agency started examining the issue after a California judge ordered body-worn cameras for guards at a state prison in San Diego following allegations of abuse of prisoners with disabilities. California later expanded the cameras to five other prisons.

The death of an Ohio inmate in January during a scuffle with guards sped up the examination into using the cameras although the pilot program was already in the works, said Annette Chambers-Smith, director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.