Smyrna to upgrade jail video system

A new surveillance video system will be installed in the Smyrna Jail, beginning in November. AJC file photo

A new surveillance video system will be installed in the Smyrna Jail, beginning in November. AJC file photo

The Smyrna Jail’s surveillance video system will be replaced and upgraded with installation beginning in November.

For $122,650, the Smyrna City Council has voted to award the contract to the low bidder Controlled Access Inc. of Marietta.

Adding new cameras and updating analog cameras, the upgrade will improve the quality of live and stored video, according to a city statement.

Being obsolete, the current camera system fails to retain data over 30 days and cannot encrypt files which is a necessity when dealing with evidential data files.

A 24 TB Video Recorder will be installed to capture information from the cameras that will be able to hold 180 days of data to meet the retention schedule established by the State of Georgia.

The integrity of the file has to be proven in courts, and the burden of proof lies on the facility.

With the new system, the files saved will be encrypted to maintain evidential integrity.

Data is searchable and available without having to watch at real time.

This availability of data will assist in allegations against personnel as well as capturing audio conversations.

These enhancements will help in litigation arising from accidents, suicide attempts and other incidents in everyday jail operations.

Incidents and accidents have occurred over the last few years, and the actions of participants were not retainable with the current camera system, according to city officials.

Digital replacement cameras will be placed in the living quarters with 360-degree views of the dorm but blacking out privacy areas for inmates.