Gallagher PowerFence™ systems provide a complete deter and detect solution 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The fence secures a remote section of the perimeter that is not so easily seen from the guard towers.

Perimeter Solutions for Corrections

Correctional Institutes are challenged to protect the public, protect their staff, and ensure a safe, secure and humane environment for offenders.  Gallagher PowerFence™ systems provide the perimeter solution to meet these requirements with a complete deter and detect solution 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

History shows that correctional facilities are only ever as secure as their perimeter.  The perimeter security system needs to detect unauthorised entry or exit into defined areas and deter inmates from violating the fence.  The system must be highly reliable, difficult to bypass and not generate false alarms, even in
adverse conditions.

To achieve effective perimeter security, Correctional Institutes in the United States do not usually rely on a single perimeter security system.  On average each facility will have four systems, including perimeter patrols, towers, alarm systems, video cameras and typically two fences.  Technologies are often paired to ensure that any weakness in one technology is compensated for by another.

Every correctional facility has an alarm system.  Traditionally false and nuisance alarms have been a problem in the corrections industry.  False alarms are generally due to equipment malfunction, while nuisance alarms can be triggered by lightning, wind, power surges, snow and hail.

The requirements for the corrections industry are highly specialised and complex. PowerFence™ systems from Gallagher Security Management Systems provide a perimeter fencing solution for the corrections industry which:

• Deters attack through sending a regulated electric pulse around the PowerFence™.  These pulses give a short, but safe shock, making it almost impossible to climb the fence.
• Intelligently detects attack, differentiating between serious breaches of the fence and disturbances caused by wildlife,
  birds or weather conditions.
• Does not generate false alarms and is unaffected by the environment in which it operates.
• Meets stringent safety criteria, providing a humane solution.
• Is easy to maintain.  Gallagher Security Management Systems can provide maintenance an agreement ensuring the fence is operating in peak condition.
• Is cost effective.

Construction

PowerFence™ systems from Gallagher Security Management Systems are specifically configured for the corrections industry.  Each wire in the fence is monitored with the electrical pulses that are sent around the system.  The fence is zoned both horizontally and vertically which enables the detection of people attempting to climb over or through the fence.  When a fence zone is attacked, the alarm will activate for that zone allowing guards to immediately focus their attention on the section of the fence being attacked.

Earth monitoring is also used, therefore every wire on the fence is monitored against attack.

The construction of this fence is rugged, yet quick to repair, with features such as anti-climb insulators that are designed to break and cause an alarm in the case of a person trying to climb the fence.

"I was most impressed with the electrical fence's ability to be immediately placed back into service after an escape attempt.  Replacement of insulators and reactivation of the fence is easily accomplished by non-technical staff, requiring only minutes for a large section of the fence."  Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan, USA

Unaffected by the Environment

The system has shown tremendous success in harsh weather conditions.  The system is unaffected by wind, rain, sleet, fog and birds.  Adverse environmental conditions such as heavy snow do not trigger alarms.  At some sites whiteouts can occur to the extent where it becomes difficult to see your hand in front of your face.  In these situations it is difficult to monitor traditional barb wire or chain mesh fences with guards or cameras, due to the reduced visibility.  With a PowerFence™ system, prisoners are not able to use the cover of adverse weather to escape or attack the fence undetected.  The ability of the PowerFence™ system to monitor itself decreases the number of guard towers needed in correctional facilities.

"The fence performs a valuable function in securing a remote section of the perimeter fence that is not easily seen from the guard towers, especially in rain, snow and fog."

Fox Lake Correctional Facility, Wisconsin, USA

Effective and Efficient

Not only is the PowerFence™ system extremely efficient in securing the perimeter of corrections facilities, it is also cost effective in both the short and long term.

The rising crime rate in the United States is generating enormous pressures on correctional systems.  This has created strong impetus for cost containment measures. Guard towers are used extensively within correctional facilities, incurring large expenditure on manpower and capital outlay.  These costs can be minimised through utilising effective and efficient Gallagher Security Management Systems state-of-the-art technology.  Installing the PowerFence™ system typically allows a correctional institute to operate with one or two guard towers less without any loss in monitoring ability.  This can save millions of dollars per tower and also eliminates the ongoing salary costs of tower guards.

Providing effective and efficient perimeter solutions for the corrections industry, Gallagher Security Management Systems has installed perimeter fences in many correctional institutes including; Fox Lake, Wisconsin; Brooks Correctional Centre, Michigan; Old West Virginia Penitentiary, West Virginia; Westbrook Detention Centre, Wacol Detention Centre, Long Bag Prison, Lithgow High Security Prison, Maitland Prison and Brisbane Women's Prison.

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