U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Tracking Prisoners in Jail With Biometrics: An Experiment in a Navy Brig
NCJ Number
              212263
Journal

*National Institute of Justice Journal* Issue: 253 Dated: January 2006 Pages: 6-9
Author(s)
          Christopher A. Miles;
                        Jeffrey P. Cohn
Date Published

January 2006
Length
              4 pages
Publication Series
          NIJ Journal
Annotation
              This article describes the results of a pilot program designed to evaluate the efficacy of using biometrics to track inmates within a correctional facility.
Abstract
              The Biometric Inmate Tracking System (BITS) was found to have both advantages and disadvantages for tracking individuals on a Navy brig. Evaluation results indicated that finger and hand geometry were the most accurate methods tested on the brig while voice recognition was the least effective. The finger and hand geometry method was also about one-third of the cost of iris, facial, and retinal methods. The demonstration program, a joint effort of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the United States Navy, and the United States Department of Defense, was designed to improve how inmate movements are tracked within prisons and jails. Computer-based methods of tracking inmates were employed to improve efficiency and demonstrate the capacity of technology to improve correctional facility safety. BITS was implemented on a Charleston brig and tested all biometric methods (iris, facial, retinal, finger and hand geometry, voice, and fingerprint) over a 3-year period. In addition to describing the evaluation results, the article briefly explains how the system was put into place and discusses enhancements planned for the years ahead, which include the development of the technology, software, and methods to use biometrics in any prison or jail in the United States. The article contains a textbox explaining biometrics. Notes
      
  
          Additional Details
Agencies
        NIJ


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Program/Project Evaluation
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2006
    
          Downloads
        
                      HTML

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Biometrics
        Criminal justice program evaluation
        Jails
        Military Base
        Offender tracking systems



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Solidarity or Solitude? Correlates of Incarceration and the Peer Networks of Imprisoned Women
                  A LANDSCAPE REPORT ON MEASURING COMMUNITY SENTIMENT AND PERCEPTIONS OF SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERFORMANCE
                  Linking Parental Incarceration and Family Dynamics Associated with Intergenerational Transmission: A Life Course Perspective
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov