BuCor: 'Technology to beef up security in detention facilities'

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) will use technology-driven security system to compensate for lack of personnel and to “guard the guardians.”
BuCor Officer-in-Charge Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said on Monday, Nov. 14: “What I lack in personnel, I will compensate through technology.”
In a press conference, Catapang said he has already procured 15 large breed dogs and high-tech equipment for facial recognition, more close circuit television cameras, and signal jammers.
The dogs, he said, can sniff out illegal drugs and even cellular phones. Some of the dogs have been deployed in the gates where clothes, food and other items passed through for inspection.
He said he will set up at the BuCor a command center similar to that of the Armed Forces’ and equip it with monitors that are linked to multiple camera systems in the BuCor’s prisons.
“Yung problem ko na who will guard the guardians (Concerning my problem as to who will guard the guardians), the technology will guard the guardians,” he stressed.
With the monitors in place, Catapang said he will be able to see who are the personnel on duty and in what areas in the prisons.
“Then, of course, hopefully pati yung inmates may facial recognition sila (even the inmates will get facial recognition),” he said.
“Para pag accounting nila, dadaan lang sila sa facial recognition machine then they will be accounted for (Whenever there is an accounting, the inmate will just pass the facial recognition machine and then they will be accounted for),” he explained.
Lately, BuCor has been saddled with problems on the prohibited items inside jails like beer, bladed weapons, cellular telephones, prohibited drugs and even portable two-day radios.
Catapang has started investigating the smuggling of prohibited items inside BuCor jails.
He refused to give details of the investigation until terminated.
TAGS: #BuCor #Prohibited items in jails