Ohio Inmates Get "Carded"

• NCJ Number: 211750
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 1 page
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review

Annotation

This article describes the use of smart card technology.

Abstract

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), with funding from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), has created inmate smart cards, which combine computer chips with photo identification cards, to track the medication activity of 2,300 inmates in 1 of their facilities. The specifics of smart card technologies are described and the benefits of using such a system to manage inmates are explored. While smart cards are widely used by ordinary populations in European countries, Americans have been more resistant to smart card technologies largely because of privacy and information security issues. As such, smart cards in the United States have been mainly used in closed environments, such as prisons and universities. Smart card technologies, however, are expected to grow and become more widely used in coming years. Contact information is provided.