Eastern Correctional Institution will implement body-cameras for its correctional officers

MARYLAND. – The state will be introducing new body cameras for correctional officers. The hope is to improve security and strengthen safety. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Service is heading the launch. The agency’s Director of Security Operations, Andrew Lipchak, is excited for the future of the state’s prison system.

“This is our second facility where we started it at ECI. And this is to help protect the officers, give a better sense of security to enhance security protocols.”

Eastern Correctional Institution is one of 5 prisons in the state installing body-cams. The state attempts to slowly roll out the initiative, with hopes of making it statewide.
Lipchak said this was to mitigate risk.

“Start small and work small, and just build it out as it comes. We did not want to roll it out and anticipate problems because we’re working through them at a smaller scale.”

Lipchak states this new, improved technology will help both officers and prisoners become more accountable.  “I believe they will behave, and have a better sense of security. Our mission is to keep prisoners safe and our officers, so it’ll work both ways.”

The cameras would cut down on issues like excessive force, assaults, and even cases of rape. Lipchak trained the officers during the introduction. He said he was pleased with the response.

“There seems to be a lot of support. At the beginning of the shift, they seemed a little skeptical, but at the end of the shift, we were getting positive feedback. And that’s something I will take at the next facility and the facility after that.”