Executive Director’s Remarks
The Future of Technology in Corrections is Now
As you explore the floor at the expo, you will soon discover that a common theme is technological solutions that will improve the safety and operations of your jail.
I have become numb to new technology. What I mean by that is that nothing surprises me anymore. There seems to be no limit on what we can achieve. In my lifetime, I’ve seen the dawn of computers, cell phones, email, social media, self-driving cars, video meetings, and many other innovations that are commonplace. Keeping up with everything requires real effort.
The importance of keeping up cannot be overstated. For the most part, innovations are focused on addressing a pain point in our daily lives. Technology can make things easier, safer, faster, more efficient, and on and on. As an example, I stopped by Lowes to pick up some floor tiles. The sales associate scanned the tile and was able to tell me how much I would need, how much it would cost, and how many tiles they had in stock. She was also able to tell me what kind of adhesive I needed to use, exactly where it was located, along with the trowel I would need to apply it. It was as if she was a walking, talking encyclopedia. Encyclopedia? There I go dating myself again, which isn’t hard to do considering the fast pace of technology.
So, what do any of my observations have to do with corrections? If you visit the exhibit hall at the AJA Conference & Jail Expo in Omaha, you will know the answer to that question. No one who attends will ever forget the robotic dogs on display. The robot dogs can have all kinds of peripherals attached to them—drug sensors, cameras, etc. That may be the most visible display of innovation on the floor, but you will discover there’s much more as you have conversations with the exhibitors.
As you explore the floor at the expo, you will soon discover that a common theme is technological solutions that will improve the safety and operations of your jail. As I said earlier, the focus is often on addressing a pain point in your life through technology and on the job, which translates to making it possible for you to accomplish more with less effort. So, walk the Expo Hall and have conversations with the vendors, and find out what’s new. If you aren’t attending the conference, then go online and check out the list of vendors on our website. Putting some effort into staying up to date will reap greater rewards for you in the long run.
CHRIS D. DANIELS, MPA, CAE Executive Director American Jail Association
