This brief details the Minnesota Department of Corrections’ (MnDOC) experiences optimizing its surveillance technologies—including benefits and challenges—and provides recommendations for correctional agencies using or planning to integrate audio analytic technologies and other upgrades in their surveillance systems. Between 2017 and 2019, we worked with MnDOC to optimize its surveillance system in two state prisons. Improvements included software and hardware upgrades, the installation of new high-definition cameras, and the integration of an audio analytic technology (aggression detection) in one of the facilities. The research team conducted semi-structured interviews with staff, who reported that the new cameras and software upgrades benefited the facilities in several ways, but there were implementation challenges with the audio analytics that inhibited it from reaching its full potential.
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