ANDERSON – The medium-security prison in Pendleton made a leap forward in security earlier this month, joining a national trend of installing stun fences to help keep inmates in. But the move doesn’t mean the elimination of tower guards, according to facility personnel.
“It’s another piece of security, more of a deterrent,” said Lt. Eric Niccum, a perimeter supervisor at the Correctional Industrial Facility.
Nationally, stun fences have been touted as cost-savers because they prevent prisons from having to staff old guard towers around the clock. Though citing those cost-saving notions, the Pendleton facility has not eliminated guards, Niccum said.
“Right now, we currently staff all our prison posts,” he said earlier this week. “If it’s going to be a change in staffing, we haven’t decided that yet.”
Meanwhile, Tim Horan, a spokesman for the prison, and Superintendent Tom Hanlon said the fence costs less than manning a tower.
“The cost of the fence and installation was $420,000 and the cost to man a tower for one year is more than half that,” Hanlon said in a news release.
Marc Garrard, a security telecommunications specialist, noted that the fences cost less to maintain.
“There are no repairs to this hardly,” Garrard said. “If a strand breaks, you just clip it back together.”
Lethal stun fences began springing up at federal prisons in 2005. Over the past few years, medium-security prisons have installed nonlethal fences like the one at the Pendleton facility.
Horan said the fence adds a level of security, increasing a nonlethal voltage the longer a person holds on. The voltage is similar to the handheld stun gun that police officers use, he said.
“If an inmate tries to climb or cut through the perimeter fence, he or she will receive a nonlethal jolt of electricity, which causes temporary immobilization,” a news release said.
The news release added that prisons in Branchville, Westville and New Castle had active nonlethal fences, and Wabash Valley Facility is planning one.
Though another level of security, Niccum said, a fence cannot replace the benefits of human eyes.
“There’s always going to be a human element to it, whether it’s in a patrol car or up in the tower,” he said.
That’s the same message that a Pennsylvania corrections officers’ union has argued, as the state decides whether to install stun fences.
Contact Christina M. Wright, 640-4883, christina.wright@heraldbulletin.com.
Breaking News
Related Photos
-
The Correctional Industrial Facility in Pendleton is the fourth facility in the state to have an electric fence. The electric fence is inside the outer fence and is non-lethal but has enough power to knock someone down. THB Photo / Don Knight
Discussion
Prison facility installs stun fence, doesn’t reduce tower staff
Officials: Money saved with new technology
- Breaking News
-
-
'Halftime in America' ad creates political debate
People rarely pick a fight with Dirty Harry. But Chrysler's "Halftime in America" ad featuring quintessential tough guy Clint Eastwood has generated fierce debate about whether it accurately portrays the country's most economically distressed city or amounts to a campaign ad for President Barack Obama and the auto bailouts.
-
Parents protest at scandalized LA grade school
About 100 angry parents have marched from a Los Angeles elementary school where two teachers are suspected of molesting students in class to a nearby meeting where administrators are expected to address parents' concerns.
-
Police: Woman victim of strong-arm robbery
Police were searching for a man accused of confronting a woman and forcefully stealing her purse Monday night.
-
Indiana Democrats ask court to replace secretary of state
The Indiana Democratic Party on Monday asked the state appeals court to replace convicted Republican Secretary of State Charlie White with the Democratic candidate White defeated in the 2010 election.
-
Marion County says Santorum still off Indiana ballot
An Indiana elections official said Monday that GOP presidential contender Rick Santorum still lacks the signatures needed to make it onto the state's May primary ballot.
-
Survivors reflect on '92 plane crash in Evansville
Survivors of the 1992 crash of a military transport plane that killed 16 people and heavily damaged an Evansville restaurant and hotel are reflecting on the disaster 20 years later.
-
Two new charges for suspect in California homeless killings
A former Marine already accused of killing four homeless men was charged Monday with two new counts of murder in the stabbing deaths of his high school friend's mother and older brother.
-
US closes Syrian embassy, presses Assad to go
The U.S. closed its Syrian embassy Monday and Britain recalled its ambassador to Damascus in a dramatic escalation of Western pressure on President Bashar Assad to give up power, just days after diplomatic efforts at the United Nations to end the crisis collapsed.
-
Few answers in death of sons of missing Utah mom
Josh Powell's note was simple and short, a farewell to the world after two years of being scrutinized in the media, hammered by police and questioned by judges, prosecutors and social workers, living his life under a microscope since the day his wife vanished.
-
Wall Street opens lower as Greek talks drag on
Stocks are edging lower in early trading Monday as talks dragged on between Greek political leaders over a fresh austerity package required for the country to get more bailout loans.
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
'Halftime in America' ad creates political debate
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
