Ascom: Denmark’s Largest Prison Strengthens Staff Security

GOTHENBURG, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An investment of 6.5 million DKK will give the staff at Vestre Fængsel a safer day at work. A paging solution from the late 90s will be replaced by an IP-based personal communication system that will be with the employees at all times, rationalizing efforts in critical situations.

The largest correction facility in Denmark is shifting to wireless technology. From now on, employees at Vestre Fængsel will only be carrying a wireless handset, combining communication, personal security and positioning technology in case of assaults or threatening situations. The currently installed paging system will go into retirement in favor of a solution with stronger security and communication features, alleviating staff security.

The new IP-based personal security system is delivered by Ascom Wireless Systems. The value of the contract is 6.5 million DKK, and it is part of the framework agreement that Ascom made with Kriminalforsorgen, Denmark’s prison authority, in 2009. The agreement has now reached a value of 45 million DKK and includes new personal security and communication systems for all prisons and detention centers in the country. Five prisons and 36 detention centers have been equipped with wireless communication systems from Ascom Wireless Solutions. Now, it’s Vestre Fængsel’s turn.

Vestre Fængsel is the largest single project within the framework agreement and will affect approximately 600 employees. They will now be provided with purpose-built Ascom d81 handsets.

– We have received very positive feedback from the prisons and detention centers that have been equipped with the system from Ascom Wireless Solutions. For the staff at Vestre Fængsel, it will be a great step forward. They will now get a more user friendly system with a more exact positioning. It’s important that the staff has access to modern and efficient alarm and communication equipment, so that they can co-ordinate their tasks while on the move, and rapidly assist each other if a threatening situation arises. The wireless IP-DECT technology is very suitable for providing this type of functionality, says Otto Nielsen, Chief Technical Officer of Denmark’s prison authority Kriminalforsorgen.

Vestre Fængsel can house 430 inmates of which many are hardened criminals. One of the features of the new system is a companion functionality that constantly monitors where a person is located in an emergency situation. If a person in distress for example moves between different floors in the building, location updates are sent constantly to assisting personnel.

Another advantage is that the positioning technology is radio-based, rather than - as earlier - based on infrared beams. With infrared technology the alarm devices had to be worn visibly.

- The Vestre Fængsel contract once again shows how Ascom Wireless Solutions is increasing its market share in the public area. Our solutions ensure enhanced security and improved productivity and communication for the prison staff, helping them perform their important work in a more efficient and safe way, says Dennis Anderson, Vice President Global Sales at Ascom Wireless Solutions.

- Vestre Fængsel will obtain a powerful communication solution with significantly greater capacity than before. This is important because a lot of coordination takes place via the phone. It is a future-proof solution that is more reliable and provides a number of advantages in terms of easier management and lower costs. It is both more efficient and economical to combine safety and communications in all the Danish prisons and detention centers in one single solution that is monitored and maintained centrally, says Otto Nielsen, CTO of Kriminalforsorgen.

ABOUT ASCOM

ABOUT ASCOM WIRELESS SOLUTIONS

Ascom Wireless Solutions (www.ascom.com/ws) is a leading provider of on-site wireless communications for key segments such as hospitals, senior care, independent living, manufacturing industries, secure establishments, retail and hotels. More than 75,000 systems are installed at major companies all over the world. The company offers a broad range of voice and professional messaging solutions, creating value for customers by supporting and optimizing their Mission-Critical processes. The solutions are based on VoWiFi, IP-DECT, nurse call and paging technologies, smartly integrated via Ascom Unite into existing enterprise systems. The company has subsidiaries in 11 countries and 1,200 employees worldwide. Founded in 1955 and based in Göteborg, Sweden, Ascom Wireless Solutions is part of the Ascom Group, listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (ASCN:SIX).