Robot warders check on inmates as Hong Kong tests ‘smart prison’ devices to step up security, surveillance

Prisons hope technology can ease workload of hard-pressed staff, many of whom quit. Upgraded CCTV cameras, wristbands will let prison staff monitor inmates more closely. — SCMP

Hong Kong’s prison authority will test facial recognition technology, tracking wristbands and robot warders to create a “super security and surveillance system” and hopefully ease the load on hard-pressed staff, the prison chief has said.

As part of the “smart prison” initiative to modernise the city’s correctional facilities, a closed-circuit television system with a video analytics function to detect suspicious behaviour among inmates is being tested, as is a smart wristband.