Currently implementing electronic Jail Management System

Durrant Pate/ Contributor

Jamaica’s Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is stepping into the modern era with the implementation of an electronic Jail Management System, as it beefs up its inmates’ management system.

The hi-tech system is being implemented at a cost of J$117 million under the Ministry of National Security’s Security Strengthening Project (SSP). It is being executed through a partnership involving the DCS, Synergy International Systems, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Ministry of National Security.

A contract for the new system was signed last week between the Government of Jamaica and Synergy International Systems. The new system is expected to allow for more efficient tracking of inmates, easier sharing of information to other stakeholders such as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Court Administration and real-time capturing of analysis of information.

It is also expected to eliminate the paper-based Jail Management System used by the DCS. The system will also improve data integrity and reports while providing seamless integration among the DCS, the JCF, and other agencies of the National Security Ministry.

Benefits to accrue to all stakeholders

Courtney Williams, permanent secretary in the ministry, who spoke at the contract signing, highlighted that the system aims to strengthen the department’s technological capabilities while at the same time bringing about well-needed benefits to all stakeholders involved in the supervision, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.

According to Williams, “the signing of this contract to begin the implementation process of this activity is quite timely and this is so, as the government continues to strengthen the capabilities of the nation’s security architecture by investing and building sustainable partnerships with public, private, and international partners. This in order to fully leverage technological tools to apply strategic data-driven measures”.

He admitted that, like many other government agencies, the DCS is challenged by its records management system.

Said Williams: “This cumbersome task of collecting data manually using over 40 different books and forms, remains a risk to the efficient functioning of the organisation. In addition, the absence of system-wide access to records, due to the lack of a single or central repository form of inmate information, continues to compromise the integrity of the data collected and managed.”

For his part, Deputy Commissioner of Corrections, Dr Marc Thomas remarked that, through the initiative, the DCS is moving closer to becoming a centre of excellence in correctional management in the Caribbean.

“This jail management system will allow us to move from a paper-based system to a more agile computerised management system, therefore we expect to see more efficient tracking of inmates from admission to release, easier sharing of information to stakeholders for example the JCF… the courts, as well as the real-time capturing of analysis and information, all of which bodes well not just for efficiency, but also for transparency and accountability,” Thomas said.

Jamaica’s incarcerated population is around 3,700 across 11 correctional institutions, while the non-custodial clients number around 3,000 and are supervised by probation officers in every parish.

Thomas reiterated that it was nothing short of a miracle that the DCS has been operating a paper-based operation for so long.

Dr Ashot Hovanesian, chief executive officer, Synergy International Systems Inc, promised that the project would strengthen the department’s capacity in its operations in the justice sector.