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California Electrified Fences: A New Concept in Prison Security

NCJ Number
166483
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1996) Pages: 66-68
Author(s)
B Hoffmann; G Straughn; J Richardson; A Randall
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
California's program of electrified fences for correctional facilities has reduced the number of tower staff, saving the State an average of $1.5 million a year per "electrified" prison.
Abstract
The electrified fence is installed between two parallel, chain-link perimeter security fences. It consists of 15 to 18 stainless-steel stranded wires, horizontally oriented and installed on insulators attached to metal fence posts. The top wire is 1 foot higher than the two perimeter security fences. A concrete-grade beam elevates the bottom wire to approximately 13 inches above the finish grade and prohibits anyone from crawling under the fence. Circular, stainless-steel detection rings, attached to the lower electrified fence wires, trigger an alarm if the wires are spread vertically and come in contact with an adjacent ring/wire. The electrified wires are charged with more than 5,000 volts and very low amperage many times the dosage normally considered lethal. Alarms are transmitted by radio to a dedicated 24-hour roving patrol vehicle should the electrical fence be touched. The construction cost is typically between $1 and $2 million for an individual electrified fence of approximately 8,000 lineal feet. The average cost is approximately $1.5 million. An unanticipated environmental effect has been accidental wildlife electrocution. The Department of Corrections is working with the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reduce this problem.