A Case Study of SHEPPEY CLUSTER OF PRISONS on VK2 Cameras
Summary
Within the Sheppey Cluster of Prisons, the implementation of VK2 cameras, PTZ cameras and qulu servers and switches were required to maximise CCTV coverage, improve video quality and meet the prison’s duty of care. Kronos Threat Management could meet these requirements and offer better prices than their competition.
Kronos chose to use Vista for their “reliable, durable and feature-rich” products. 128 cameras were installed along with qulu, making it easy to bring together each component into a system that works effectively. Kronos worked closely with the customer to overcome challenges such as the difficulty of working around the prisoners.
Vista provided efficient technical support and meetings allowed Sheppey Cluster of Prisons to understand the solution’s benefits prior to installation.
The Challenge
Within the Sheppey Cluster of prisons the implementation of a Vista solution at two of the establishments, HMP Elmley and Stanford Hill, was required. Both prisons needed to maximise their CCTV coverage, ensuring that ‘dead spot’ areas were avoided.
As the establishments have a strong focus on prisoner welfare and an obligation to ensure the safety of inmates, it was important to them that a system could be offered that met their requirements so they can go above and beyond their duty of care. One of the key issues that the prisons faced was that the areas covered by analogue cameras provided lower quality images than required.
The Ministry of Justice and the National Offender Management Service have specifications that must be met or, ideally, exceeded. In order to meet the prison’s duty of care cameras must cover all areas.
Having worked for the prisons before, Kronos Threat Management was capable of meeting these requirements and, by offering better prices than their competition, was chosen to cover the projects for both prisons.
Craig Vincent of Kronos advocated the use of Vista products due to his familiarity with them, even saying that “Over recent years our relationship with Vista is more a partnership than customer and client.” He also stated that “As a company, we have used Vista products for a number of years and have found them to be reliable, durable and feature-rich supported by fast delivery times and excellent technical services.”
The Solution
Due to Kronos previously proving they could offer an excellent solution tailored to the demands of an environment such as a prison they became a trusted consultant and installer to the Sheppey Cluster. As a result, they valued Kronos’ expertise and followed their recommendations for the implementation of the qulu system.
Following a decision to go ahead with the project the prisons were upgraded from the lower quality analogue cameras to an IP system which allowed for much better clarity when reviewing footage.
In HMP Elmley’s case, this required the installation of a new system for various areas, and all equipment and hardware had to be installed. A total of 128 cameras were installed, including Vista’s VK2 3MP static cameras and Red Vision PTZ cameras. qulu SR1 servers and switches were installed alongside the cameras, and Kronos also installed network cables in order to input their own network.
This new network included fibre optic links and structured cabling which created infrastructure challenges such as digging channels for cables while ensuring minimum disruption to the prison schedule in the process.
At Stanford Hill some hardware was kept but the existing system of analogue CCTV was adapted to IP using Axis Q74 encoders, with signalling via an AMG wireless solution.
Kronos installed 3 Red Vision X-series PTZ cameras as well as wind down tower poles. The installation of qulu made it easy to bring together each component into a system that works effectively. Each product was chosen based on its reliability, and both the speed of access and ease of use offered by qulu meant it was the best choice of Video Management Software.
Craig from Kronos commented “The system now in place is IP with signalling via wireless which works very well producing the required results. We are pleased on how well this worked and pulled together.”
Although every project has its challenges Craig Vincent worked closely with Vista to ensure solutions were put in place as quickly as possible. One of the main hurdles in this particular project was the restrictions against internet access which made the loading of camera licences and updates a lot more difficult. Vista and Kronos worked together to overcome challenges such as these, and in this instance made an agreement that Vista will in future carry out pre-configuration off-site to reduce the need for on-site licence updates.
The Outcome
Although the working environment caused challenges for Kronos who had to work around the prisoners and their structured regime, they were able to put in place a flexible plan to work in the available areas that would not disrupt the day-to-day running of the prison.
Despite the challenging circumstances and requirement to ensure minimum disruption to the prison regime Kronos were experienced with working in these environments and so were able to install in a limited and carefully structured time frame and complete the project on time.
Vista provided efficient technical support for both projects and the benefits of using Vista in both systems was outlined prior to the installation during meetings with the Vista Business Development Manager, Alex.
Craig from Kronos also mentioned that “Alex also did a prison visit to ensure he understood the environment the system was going to be installed in” which allowed him to offer the best solution possible to meet the prisons’ requirements. Vista also provided a call off order which helped meet the project deadline.
Vista’s support alongside Kronos’ expertise in the environment meant that the project was also completed on budget. Craig from Kronos stated, “The project was all positive and a success and we have bid on phase two.”
