Albany Jail Plans for Security Upgrades after Risk Assessment

Albany Jail Plans for Security Upgrades after Risk Assessment

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Nov 12, 2015

The Albany County jail is getting $283,000 in security upgrades as a result of the escape this summer of two convicted murders from a North Country prison, the Times Union reported.

Sheriff Craig Apple said Richard Matt and David Sweat’s June 6 escape from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora spurred his office to probe security weaknesses at the jail complex off Albany Shaker Road, especially the tiers of the jail that have been in use for up to 90 years.

Included in the spending for upgrades will be a new coil of razor wire on the jail’s perimeter fence, new security cameras, welding repairs to interior cell bars and for new, much more sensitive metal detectors through which inmates will have to pass as they move around the facility.

“We took a really good risk assessment of our correctional facility, and we said, ‘You know what, let’s harden up some areas.’” Apple said.

The new stretch of razor will sit about 6 feet below the two existing bands at the top of the 20-foot fence.

“If somebody tries to climb it, it’s not going to be a pretty picture,” the sheriff said.

Apple said the internal review focused on parts of the jail that date to 1931, especially 12-by-18-inch vents where the walls meet the floor in most cells.

The new metal detectors should also cut down on contraband moving through the jail, because the facility’s existing detectors are not sensitive enough to pick up small pieces of metal often used in homemade weapons.

The jail’s last attempted escape was in 2007 and the inmate was caught before ever leaving the premises.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Work Anywhere, Secure Everywhere: 2025 Tech Predictions

    Five years after the pandemic, organizations need a flexible work reset to stay productive and support any work arrangement. Despite the pandemic-fueled workplace shift that began five years ago, companies across industries and geographies continue to increase flexible work configurations. However, many tools adopted during COVID onset remain in place today, and they now need a reset to keep employees productive and secure regardless of location. Security leaders must re-evaluate existing practices and reinvest in zero trust security, passwordless environments, and automation adoption to improve efficiency and productivity. Read Now

  • Guiding Principles

    Construction sites represent a unique sector of perimeter security, especially amidst a steady increase in commercial construction. As in any security environment, assessing weaknesses and threats remains paramount and modern technology, coupled with sound access control principles, are critical in addressing vulnerabilities at even the most secure construction sites around the world. Read Now

  • Empowering 911

    In the wake of the tragic murder of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson, media coverage flooded the airwaves with images, videos and detailed timelines of the suspect’s movements. While such post-incident analysis is not new, today’s 911 centers now have access to similar data in real-time. This technological evolution marks a pivotal transformation in emergency response, transitioning from analog calls to a digital ecosystem capable of saving more lives. Read Now

  • Security Industry Embraces Mobile Credentials, Biometrics and AI, New Trends Report From HID Finds

    As organizations navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape, security leaders are making strategic shifts toward unified platforms and emerging technologies, according to the newly released 2025 State of Security and Identity Report from HID. The comprehensive study gathered responses from 1,800 partners, end users, and security and IT personnel worldwide, and reveals a significant transformation in how businesses are approaching security, with mobile credentials and artificial intelligence emerging as key drivers of innovation. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.