For DCS, it was critical to develop a fully integrated RFID solution for its Inmate Management Software, which runs on the IBM Power6/System i Server. "Tracking inmate movement using bar coding was out of the question," said Mary T Lucas, President of DCS, Inc. "That is simply an outdated method and it requires the inmate to be within inches of the reader."

Having spent the past several months in development and testing, DCS has now begun the marketing phase of its RFID product. "There is a lot of excitement," Lucas continues, "because we now have a way to track inmates within yards of the readers, rather than within inches." In addition, the user is now able to conduct census counts using a hand-held unit.

The DCS Inmate Management Software now generates the tag, which resides within the wristband. The RFID tag is encapsulated in the plastic wristband. DCS offerings including both Passive and Active RFID technologies, which allows the facility to select what would work best for them.

When an inmate's RFID wristband passes a reader, the photo that corresponds with the RFID tag, will immediately appear on a screen. Staff members will be able to verify the identity of the inmate by matching the photo on the screen to the inmate passing the reader. This positive identification is critical so the wrong inmate is not released, ensuring the safety of the community.

"This RFID movement and transaction solution will provide greater security and safety to employees and prisoners," says Lucas, who concludes "Accuracy and accountability will be greatly increased while manual entries will be eliminated.

The RFID transactions will form a historical data base that can be viewed and used in the future, for example, in cases of altercations between inmates, or lawsuits filed against the facilities." This feature will potentially save facilities millions of dollars in legal settlements by being able to prove the whereabouts of inmates at the exact time incidents are claimed.