Security systems at the Stanley Correctional Institution are inadequate and their replacement should have a high priority, said a consultant’s report released Thursday.
The report by Mead & Hunt Inc. for the state Department of Corrections calls for major changes at the prison with the capacity of holding 1,500 medium-security inmates.
“The current electronic security system is a proprietary system and the only service technician is located in Oklahoma,” the report says. “The exterior controlled doors do not function during the winter months. They are pneumatically controlled and the air lines freeze during colder temperatures.”
The report said the prison’s perimeter fence itself is in poor shape. The Stanley prison tops the Department of Corrections’ list of facilities needing a “Stun-Fence” system. The report says the prison needs the system beginning next month.
The 17 cameras on the prison’s perimeter fence are all facing inward. “On sunny days, the exterior cameras have zero visibility. All of those cameras are fixed, which creates blind spots,” the report says. More cameras should be installed in the housing areas and the dental care area.
Visual sight lines throughout the housing units were also said to be a problem. The layout of the entire campus has led to many security challenges, the report said.
The design of the prison, built in 1998 by the private Dominion Venture Group of Oklahoma, is a concern, the report says. Because of the design, nearly half of the inmate population is routinely idle.
According to the report:
n The prison’s dental care space is inadequate.
n The prison’s pharmacy is too small. Plans are in the works for an expansion.
n Space in the mail and property rooms are inadequate.
n There are no conference rooms to hold meetings and large gatherings.
n The visiting area can’t handle tele-visiting, attorney visits and equipment.
n With the security office suite has enough space, it’s not a secured area. “The area needs to be armed and secure.”
n The prison’s computer system is six years old and inadequate. “In the event that 50 inmates were to request to be released from their cells at the same time, it could crash the electronic systems at the (prison’s) central control.”
Other building problems included leaking roofs throughout the facility and a few mold problems.
The report did suggest the Stanley prison build a new armory and training building, which would cost an estimated $1.6 million and was suggested for the 2011-2013 fiscal years.
Better grades for CVCTF
Chippewa Valley Correctional Treatment Facility in Chippewa Falls fared better in its evaluation.
The report says the facility across from the Northern Center for the Developmentally Disabled has been well maintained. However, it also indicates that the age of the 1966 building is starting to show through wear and tear.
No capital projects were suggested for CVCTF, though many smaller-scale suggestions were made.
Though the facility did not have the problems with security that SCI did, some changes are expected to be made. Numerous blind spots and areas without camera coverage were found, and the report recommends the facility should change over to a DVR recording system from its VCR system for security footage. The glass doors at the front administration area also pose a security risk.
The report also suggests CVCTF consider using more space on the Northern Wisconsin Center grounds for food service and warehouse storage.
Both Chippewa County facilities are operating above capacity, but the report indicated neither needs to expand for housing purposes.
Staff writer Rod Stetzer contributed to this story.
Read the full report at www.wi-doc.com/10YearPlanpdfLinks.htm.
