Sheriff Hails New Corrections Software

Law enforcement and Corrections in our community continues to pose unique problems that require proactive solutions. The criminal element is an ever-changing adversary in these modern times and maintaining an edge over it is becoming more challenging. Having the necessary information to determine local crime trends and coordinate a proactive response will help give us a safer communinty.

My staff and I have concluded a two year search for new computer software that will meet the needs of our diverse and growing department. I am proud to announce that the has contracted with CTS America to provide the department with comprehensive computer software that will encompass all the functions within the agency. The enormous challenge we faced over the last two years was to find a software package that could “do it all.” The urgent need was to have a software package that would incorporate all aspects of information sharing within the agency including investigations, intelligence, gangs, inmate files, jail information, warrants, civil, etc…CTS America was primarily chosen for that for that reason.

    The timing of procuring this software could not have been better. The citizens graciously provided the funding for a new facility which is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2012. The purchase and implementation of the new software will take approximately 10-12 months, so my staff and I will be well versed in its operation before moving into the new facility. The software package and new operating hardware will be transferred to the new facility, thereby saving thousands of SPLOST tax dollars that can be spent elsewhere or allow the debt to be paid off earlier. Total costs for the new system will be approximately $785,000.00 paid exclusively from seized drug funds. During our search for new software, similar packages were $1.6 million and up. The selection of CTS America was made after input from every department within the Sheriff’s Office and the staff are very excited about the new software.

The ability to access crucial information will be greatly enhanced by this upgrade. Investigators will be able to access a multitude of information gathered by all portions of the department such as traffic information, citizen contacts, inmate information, etc…The package also contains a complete Gang Intelligence portion to allow my staff to maintain current information on any activity within our jurisdiction. One area that I am particularly proud of is the public access portion. The new software will allow the department to share information more freely with the public via the agency’s website and track criminal activity neighborhood by neighborhood. Deputies on the street will have access to all necessary information via their mobile computer terminal which allows them to remain in their patrol area while completing their reports and conducting their preliminary investigations.

An important aspect of the new software is in the management of the ever increasing inmate population. Managing an average daily inmate population of over 800 inmates is a daunting task. A function of the CTS America upgrade will be to improve the safety and security of the jail by constantly tracking inmate movement within the facility. The most dangerous time for jail staff is during the movement of inmates to and from the different areas of the jail such as visitation, medical, courts and recreation. Computer tracking of inmate movement and the type of inmate that is being moved is a major enhancement to security within the institution. Having this crucial information at their fingertips will allow increased safety for both inmates and staff.

I have spoken with Chief Chris Womack at the Douglasville Police Department and ensured him that this information will also be available to his staff via a secured fiber optic network. The massive amount of information, in an easily accessible format, is not only crucial for law enforcement but for the court system as well. A function of the new software will allow the District Attorney and Solicitor General to also have immediate access to the information contained in all our files, as needed. This not only aids in the prosecution of criminal cases but helps curb the amount of paperwork transferred between agencies saving time and money.

I am so pleased that I can take advantage of this opportunity in our struggling economy through the use of the seized drug funds we have worked so hard to procure. This is the sort of worthwhile venture that these funds were designed to provide. My staff and I will put this new technology to good use in keeping the Douglas County community a safe place to be. May God continue to bless the work we do.

Sincerely,
Phil Miller, Sheriff