MARYLAND (WBFF) — Correctional officers at every Maryland state prison now have body-worn cameras, a move state officials say is aimed at improving safety, accountability and de-escalation inside correctional facilities.
As of last month, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) provided body-worn cameras to correctional officers statewide. Department leaders demonstrated the system at the Baltimore Central Booking & Intake Center on Monday, showing how officers use the cameras during routine duties, emergency responses and interactions with incarcerated individuals.
The demonstration included how officers activate and dock the cameras, how recordings are stored, and how authorized personnel can retrieve footage for investigations and supervisory review.
The department said it introduced body-worn cameras to provide objective evidence, improve accountability, support de-escalation, and strengthen safety for correctional staff and incarcerated individuals. DPSCS also recently completed a facility camera upgrade project intended to improve existing technology and expand surveillance options.
The department pointed to results reported by other correctional agencies that have deployed body-worn cameras and related safety technology.
In Virginia, a body-worn camera study found a 59% reduction in injuries to incarcerated individuals and a 45% reduction in reportable uses of force.
In Florida, a pilot program reported a 70% reduction in excessive-force complaints, a 51% reduction in uses of force in general-population settings, and a 42% reduction in staff assaults.
In Ohio, agencies reported a 50% reduction in complaints from incarcerated individuals, a 50% reduction in time spent on investigations, and a 24% agency-wide reduction in uses of force.
Now, the body cameras have been rolled out in Maryland as well.
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