Montgomery County Correctional Facility - Clarksburg, MD

Owner: Dept of Public Works & Transportation

Architect: HOK - Washington, DC

Project Cost: $47,000,000

Completion Date: March 2002

Located in Montgomery County, Maryland the Seneca Correctional Complex is a project which consists of a new detention facility with a core capability for 1,100 inmates with housing to support 900 inmates in a total of 512 cells.

Security systems include perimeter intrusion detection, intercom and paging, door control, access control, video surveillance, personal alarm/duress, control panels and metal detection.

The electronic security systems proposed for the new detention center have been developed from the information gathered in meetings with the owner as well as from detention center systems design of facilities of similar scope and complexity.

The electronic security systems, in and of themselves, do not make up the security of the facility. But rather they support staff operations in order to allow the safe and secure operation of the facility. The security of the facility is made up of two components. The first is the physical barriers created by the architecture, the second being the operation of the facility.

 


The electronic security systems allow operators to monitor and control the movement and activities within, and entry/exit of, the facility.

The electronic security systems intended for use for this facility include the following:Perimeter intrusion detection system

Staff intercom system
Security intercom systems
Facility paging system
Nurse call system
Electronic control system
Control panels
Touch Screen Control & Management System
Access control system
Personal alarm/duress systems
Video surveillance system
Uninterruptible Power Systems for security equipment

General:
The electronic security systems shall be integrated in order to present a single system perspective to the operators. Integration will include both physical and electronic means. Physical integration is the process by which components are located in an ergonomic control station setting. Electronic integration includes data or hard wire interfaces that will allow multiple systems to be displayed, controlled, and accessed via a single control panel or display screen.

Control Locations:
Central Control: The Central Control room shall have complete control of all electrically operated security systems devices and equipment, as well as override control of all remote control stations. Three touch screen stations shall be provided. It is anticipated that two stations will be sufficient to operate the facility in its present configuration and planned operation. The third station is for back-up and training. The primary responsibility for the Central Control station shall be to control and monitor movement throughout the facility as well as emergency operations. The station shall have the ability to take over control of each housing control station. A fourth station will be located in the second floor conference room. This station will view the status of all of the electronic security systems, but will have no control over them. This will be used in emergency situations as a command center.

Housing Control: The housing control stations shall be located in each direct supervision dayroom. A control panel will be located at the officer's desk that will allow communications with each of the cells, paging into the dayroom area, and individual control of the cell doors. The door from the dayroom to the sallyport leading to the corridor shall be capable of being controlled by the dayroom officer by control panel or card reader.

Visitation Control: The visitation control station is located at the inmate side of the visitation area. A control panel will be located at the officer's desk that will control the entry of inmates into the visitation area as well as entry into the attorney visitation booths.

Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems:
Multiple perimeter intrusion detection systems shall be used on this project due to its location very near a residential community. The fence enclosing the rear of the building shall be provided with a fence mounted electronic intrusion detection system under the base bid. The system shall be fence mounted and connected to a central processing unit. The central processing unit shall be a stand alone system with software capabilities and system algorithms developed to minimize false and nuisance alarms. It shall detect any attempt to climb or cut the fence. Upon an alarm, the cameras associated with the particular alarm zone shall automatically be displayed on the video monitors in central control. Under alternate bid #1, the system shall be similar in function, but based on that of Assessment & Controls International, Inc. (ACI). The ACI system shall include a weather station designed to provide environmental data to the central processing unit for evaluation of alarm conditions. The system shall also include mobile maps to be located in the mobile patrol vehicles.

In addition, a building mounted electronic intrusion detection system shall be mounted to the rear of the building inside the secure perimeter. There are a three options for this system. The base bid shall include a G-line system. This system utilizes passive, differential capacitance sensors to provide intrusion detection. Alternate Bid #1 shall include routing the ACI system sensor cable through these zones also. Alternate Bid #2 shall include a non-lethal electrified wall mounted fence system for these zones. This system gives an intruder a deterrent shock which is safe and humane.

Also, outdoor dual technology intruder detectors are mounted on the roof parapet along the front side of the building as well as where the housing buildings join the administration building. These utilize both microwave and infrared technology in an "And Gated" configuration to provide intrusion detection and minimize false alarms.

Staff Intercom System:
The purpose of the staff intercom system is to provide dedicated telephone type duplex communications among all control stations and supervisory locations throughout the facility. The system is similar to a telephone system in configuration and operation. Although similar functions can be accommodated on the administrative telephone system, the staff intercom system is separate in order to allow secure communications and prevent normal telephone traffic from impeding emergency and security communications. The system will be used to page into the public lobby area.

Intercom System:
The purpose of intercom systems is to provide two way communications between a control station and a remote locations. Each control station and each touch screen control station shall be provided with a dedicated speech path. Remote intercom stations can talk to only one control station or touch screen station at any particular time. All control stations and all touch screen shall have the ability to select multiple remote stations for simultaneous communications. The intercom system shall be a direct select type system for simplex communication. Simplex communications will allow speech to occur in only one direction at a given time. This is necessary due to the high ambient noise levels usually encountered in a detention facility. The speech direction will be controlled by the control station and/or touch screen control station.

Paging System:
The purpose of the paging system is to provide one way audible announcements to selected areas or zones. Selected areas include corridors, staff facilities (i.e. lockers, exercise rooms, training rooms), inmate program areas, recreation areas, food service areas, exterior activity areas, housing areas, and paging areas. In the housing areas, local intercom systems shall take precedence over facility paging functions. Paging is not planned for administrative office areas, since administrative telephone systems are more effective with individual administrative intercom functions. Group and all call functions shall be provided. In an All Call page, the page message is sent to all paging speakers in the facility. Three groups will be provided to include (1)staff, (2)inmate, and (3)public areas. Input to the paging system will be provided via the staff intercom system for paging into the public lobby.

Nurse Call System:
The purpose of the nurse call system is to provide inmates in the medical area the ability to communicate with the Nurse's station. The nurse call master station is located at the Nurse's station. It can receive calls and communicate with the intercoms located in the medical cells. There are also emergency pushbutton stations located in the toilet and shower areas of the medical cells which also annunciate at the nurse call master station. Emergency "HELP" pushbutton stations installed in wet locations such as showers must be watertight and rated by the manufacturer for such operation.

Electronic Control System (ECS):
The electronic control system shall consist of a programmable logic controller network as the base for the integrated system. The ECS shall interface with other security systems in order to present a single display capability. The system shall provide control and monitoring of security doors, intercom selection, camera select and other related functions. The system shall display alarms or trouble conditions of other monitored security systems in the facility. In addition, touch screen stations will annunciate an alarm from each smoke zone of the fire alarm system. The system shall be modular in nature. The system shall be designed for simplicity of maintenance, ease of replacement and availability of spare parts. The owner has provided a list of critical doors, which will print out on a dot matrix printer located at central control each and every time they are opened.

Control Panels:
Control panels shall be provided at the housing control stations and visitation control station for supporting door control, communications, and alarm systems. Panels shall consist of glare free, durable overlay over a rigid substrate. AML type switches as manufactured by Microswitch will be utilized. Graphic representations of the floor plan shall be provided where orientation is enhanced. Control panels shall be of the "passive" or "exception only" design, thus indicating only non-secure conditions (no green lights to indicate secure condition). Physical and electronic integration techniques shall be used for related system controls.

Touch Screen Control and Management System:
The central control room shall be provided with a control system that will use touch screen technology on 20 inch video monitors. The Central Control shall be provided with three stations. The system will be configured in a network for sharing of data and files. The network will be configured in a client-server arrangement. The server will provide for archival of data and storage of software and station configurations. The system will allow management of task groups to allow balancing of the workload among stations. In consideration of future software upgrades, network interfaces, and maintenance, the software for the stations and the network shall be specified to operate in Microsoft Windows environment.

Access Control System:
Selected doors within the building shall be provided with access control card readers and electric door locks. Proximity type cards shall be used. The system shall be utilized to secure areas from casual traffic and allow access to authorized personnel without the intervention of central control. The system shall have multiple levels of security and be user programmable for activating, deactivating and revising the access cards. The system shall log all activities on hard disk for retrieval at a later date. A printer shall be provided for hard copy of reports. The system workstation CPU shall be co-located with the file server CPU and administration station CPU and share the same monitor, keyboard, and mouse through a switching system.

A system for documenting the direct observation of inmates by the custody staff during sleeping hours shall be installed. The system shall use card readers to start/stop the tours and pushbuttons for the secondary stations. The system shall provide data storage of location, time and event of each input. Hard copy printout of all activities shall be available.

Personal/Duress Alarm Systems:
Systems shall be provided for the purpose of emergency alert of security staff. A personal alarm system shall be provided for security staff assigned to inmate contact duty. The system shall consist of belt worn transmitters operating on a radio frequency for transmission of the device identification code. This feature allows complete alarm coverage of the facility. The transmitters will also be equipped with an infrared component. This component shall transmit the identification code to strategically placed "locators" in the facility to allow identification of the last location the transmitter was "seen." The combination of the two technologies will allow identification of officer and his/her location. Panic buttons shall be located in areas of inmate contact by non-security persons that are not provided with transmitters of the personal alarm system.

Video Surveillance System:
A video surveillance system shall be provided for closed circuit video support in the facility. The system shall utilize color cameras, monitors and related equipment. The system shall use a matrix configuration to allow any camera to be seen on any monitor. Monitors shall be provided at the Central Control room. Each touch screen station shall be provided with two 14" CCTV monitors for support of the touch screen control system. In addition, six 20" CCTV monitors will be provided for general surveillance purposes. Cameras will be located to support movement through security doors. Acknowledgement of an intercom shall cause the associated camera(s) to be displayed automatically. Cameras may be selected individually on the touch screen displays. Cameras shall also be provided for general surveillance of corridors when unescorted inmate movement is planned, primarily between housing and program areas. Three sixteen channel multiplexers/digital recorders shall be provided to allow 48 cameras to be recorded simultaneously. This will allow digital recording of 48 cameras for a period of 72 hours. A playback unit shall be provided in addition to the recording units for video playback without interruption of the monitoring equipment.

Uninterruptible Power Systems:
Power for all electronic security systems shall be from emergency circuits of the standby power system. Security system processors and equipment required to maintain operation of the Central Control shall be served from an uninterruptible power system. The UPS shall provide for a minimum of 20 minutes of standby power at full load. Electro-mechanical locks and pneumatic system air compressor(s) will not be connected to the UPS.

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