In this study funded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, researchers compared the uses and benefits of stationary cameras versus body-worn cameras in a local jail setting.
This report, funded by the by National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, examines the footage of response-to-resistance (RTR) events produced by body-worn cameras (BWCs) compared to stationary closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in a correctional setting. The researchers’ findings suggest both BWCs and stationary cameras play a crucial role in providing insights into RTRs, despite inherent limitations associated with each camera type. The researchers found the two camera types complemented one another to help overcome those limitations. It is also important to note that BWCs must be activated by deputies to capture RTR events, while stationary cameras are constantly recording. By leveraging the strengths of both stationary cameras and BWCs, agencies can obtain a more comprehensive and complete body of evidence than by relying on either type of camera alone. As the use of BWCs expands in correctional facilities, the potential applications of this technology will become more apparent.