There should be a manual override system in place in regards to the cell doors. This would allow those in charge to manually lock down all cells to help make sure that no other ones opened on their own. Providing training to all staff ahead of time so that they are enabled to handle any such situation that might arise is critical. Every staff member should know what they are supposed to do and when they are supposed to do it, if an emergency situation should arise. Training and practice drills should be conducted ahead of time so that everyone is one the same page. Because human lives are at stake every effort should be made to make sure that the best possible plan is developed and available.

The security threat plan should be reviewed an updated on a regular basis. This will help to ensure that any changes that are made within the facility are captured on the plan. It will also give officials the opportunity to make sure that they plan is current and operational. This should never be left as a task that goes undone. Protecting the safety of the inmates, staff and general public should be a high priority at all times.

Summary

Walpole State Prison was built in 1955 as a maximum security prison in the state of Massachusetts. In the mid-1980's the name of the prison was changed to MCI- Cedar Junction. The facility now contains a DDU unit which deals with any inmate that commits a Security Threat Group related disciplinary offense.

This prison facility like any other across the nation has its share of gang activity that goes on within its walls. Those inmates that arrive at the prison and are tagged as gang members are immediately assigned to the Security Threat Group. This is done in order that prison officials can better cope with and contain the gang activity.

Over the years the prison has had several security issues that have cause death and destruction. Due to the nature of running a prison it is sometimes very hard to regain control when something goes awry. The best thing to help with this is to have a good security threat plan developed and...

Everyone in the facility should be aware of what the plan is and what part they play in it when it is in affect. Reviewing the plan on regular basis helps to keep everyone on the same page and the plan as up-to-date as possible. As things within the facility change the plan should be updated accordingly.
In the end the security of the inmates, the employees and the general public as a whole are at stake when speaking of security at a prison facility. Being as prepared as possible for every incident that might take place is the ultimate goal. The hard part at times is trying to anticipate what and when something might occur. Keeping the employees as trained and ready is key to providing effective security to all those involved.

References

MCI - Cedar Junction. (2009). Retrieved September 29, 2009, from Mass.gov Web site:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopsterminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Law+Enforcement+

%26+Criminal+Justice&L2=Prisons&L3=State+Correctional+Facilities&sid=Eeops&b=t erminalcontent&f=doc_facility_mcicedarjunction&csid=Eeops

Ranalli, Ralph. (2005). Havoc created in jail cells. Retrieved October 1, 2009, from Boston.com

Web site:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/Massachusetts/articles/2005/07/30/havoc_created_in_

jail_cells/

Security Threat Group Process. (2009). Retrieved October 1, 2009, from Mass.gov Web site:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopsterminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Law+Enforcement+

%26+Criminal+Justice&L2=Prisons&L3=Security+Threat+Group+Information&sid=Ee

ops&b=terminalcontent&f=doc_securitythreat_stprocess&csid=Eeops

The Almighty Latins King Nation. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2009, from Web site:

http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources/profiles/kings/

Toolan incarcerated at Cedar Junction. (2007). Retrieved September 30, 2009, from Web site:

http://www.nantucketindependent.com/news/2007/0718/Front_Page/001.html