Corrections_Today_Spring_2025_Vol.87_No.1

News&Views

NIJ UPDATE

Body-worn cameras in correctional facilities A review of recent NIJ-funded research in Loudoun County Adult Detention Center By Kyleigh Clark-Moorman, Ph.D.

The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official posi tion or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. T he use of body-worn cameras in criminal justice has grown in recent years. A significant number of law enforcement agencies are acquiring and deploying body worn cameras to increase officer safety and quality of evidence and better address civilian complaints and agency liability. 1 In 2016, 45% of law enforcement agencies had at least some body-worn cameras in service, including 78% of the largest local police departments. As of 2021, seven states mandated body-worn cameras for all police officers, and in 2022 President Biden ordered federal law enforcement agencies to use body-worn cameras. 3, 4 Correctional departments have likewise become interested in us ing body-worn cameras to enhance operations. They have begun us ing body-worn cameras for special operations and emergency-response units, with recent deployments throughout both state prisons

Adobe Stock/Grispb

and county jails. 5, 6 The goals of body-worn camera programs in correctional facilities include reduc ing violent interactions and staff misconduct and increasing transpar ency and accountability, which can ultimately enhance security. To date, several states use body-worn cam eras in their facilities, including New York, Wisconsin, and Florida, with other states in the planning stages. 7 There is little research on the impact of body-worn cameras in correctional facilities despite their increase in use. In response to this,

the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funded CNA Corporation to conduct an in-depth evalua tion on body-worn cameras in Loudoun County Adult Detention Center (LCADC), which con cluded in 2023. 8 CNA researchers found that, after the deployment of body-worn cameras, there was both a significant reduction in events where deputies responded to resident resistance, as well as a reduction in resident injuries dur ing such events, despite an increase in negative deputy perceptions of

Corrections Today | Spring 2025

16