Enhancing Carceral Evacuation Efficacy: Insights from 2020-2021 Disasters
By Dr. Carl Dement
Disasters can strike with little warning, putting lives and infrastructure at risk. Among those affected are inmates in carceral facilities, who face unique challenges during forced evacuations. Yet little is known about how these evacuations are planned and executed. To help bridge this gap, a study was conducted in 2020-2021 examining carceral evacuations during disasters in regions of the US where such events are common - the Gulf Coast, the Southwest, and the Northwest. The study involved semi-structured interviews with twenty-four carceral administrators who were involved in inmate evacuations. These revealed two main themes shaping the effectiveness of inmate evacuations: The independence of carceral facilities and a lack of interoperability. Recommendations are made for improving carceral evacuation efficacy.
One of the key findings from the study was the independence of carceral facilities during disaster preparation and response. While carceral and emergency management (EM) operations occur in parallel, they fail to overlap, leaving carceral administrators to manage evacuations without the assistance of experts from the OEM (Office of Emergency Management). This limited collaboration between the two entities hampers the efficiency and effectiveness of evacuating inmates. To enhance preparedness, carceral administrators should actively engage OEM evacuation experts in their planning processes. Collaborating with EM professionals and participating in regular disaster exercises/training events can provide valuable insights, build relationships, and acquire resources for improved disaster response. By tapping the expertise and experience of OEMs, carceral facilities can better navigate the complexities of mass evacuations and anticipate potential challenges.
Another critical aspect to emerge from the study was the lack of interoperability between carceral facilities. Incompatible jail management software (JMS) hindered information sharing between impacted and host jails/prisons, creating difficulties in inmate tracking and data transfer during evacuations. No two counties across the entire study used the same JMS.
To ensure end-to-end inmate accountability during evacuations, carceral facilities should work toward adopting interoperable systems. One such platform that may provide a short-term solution is Juvare's EMTrack software which uses barcoded wristbands and property tags to track evacuee movement during a critical event. Because Juvare created and supports the disaster software adopted by the US Government and all fifty states (WebEOC), EMTrack software is easily integrated into existing digital infrastructure with little additional labor. Using barcoded wristbands and leveraging EMTrack’s capabilities, administrators can efficiently track inmate movement and status, mitigating potential security risks and ensuring a smoother evacuation process.
By addressing JMS interoperability problems, carceral facilities can significantly improve information sharing between facilities, enabling seamless updates on headcount and inmate locations during evacuations. One of the key advantages of interoperable JMS is the ability to share vital inmate information, such as legal and medical status, between impacted and host facilities. This helps ensure inmates are not held longer than necessary or released prematurely, enhancing overall accountability and security. Additionally, interoperable systems facilitate clear communication with inmate families, providing them with timely updates on the location and status of their loved ones post-evacuation. By adopting a common JMS system or utilizing software with similar capabilities to EMTrack, carceral facilities can bridge the communication gap and streamline their disaster response efforts, ultimately optimizing the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
The adoption of these recommendations has the potential to revolutionize the approach to carceral evacuations, enhancing the safety and well-being of inmates, correctional staff, and the public during times of crisis. By implementing the suggested improvements, practitioners can make significant strides in bolstering the preparedness and resilience of their carceral facilities. This proactive approach will better safeguard vulnerable inmate populations, ensuring their well-being even in the face of disasters. By embracing these best practices, administrators demonstrate a commitment to upholding their duty of care and promoting the highest standards of disaster response within the correctional system. Through collaboration, interoperability, and effective planning, carceral facilities can stand better equipped to face the challenges of evacuations, fostering a more secure and compassionate environment for all.
Article Details
Coordinating the Chaos: An Evaluation of Carceral Evacuations
Carl Dement
First published online July 18, 2023
DOI: 10.1177/00328855231188427
The Prison Journal
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