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Doing Prison Time

NCJ Number
218279
Date Published
January 2007
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Web-Enabled Timeline Analysis System (WebTAS) and its developing use by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for the merging and sharing of pertinent State correctional information.
Abstract
The software program Web-Enabled Timeline Analysis System (WebTAS) was originally designed for government agencies and law enforcement as a flexible suite of analytical tools that enable public safety agencies to quickly and easily merge data. It uses an agency's existing mainframe system to track pertinent incidents. The software gives analysts the ability to plot events spatially and temporally and look for links. Now, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is capitalizing on WebTAS. The deputy secretary for corrections began making WebTAS fit into Pennsylvania's correctional intranet, called DOCNET. State employees would continue entering data into the various databases used by different correctional facilities and WebTAS would connect all these varied data sources together. Future potential uses being reviewed for WebTAS in Pennsylvania's correctional system include tracking nonsexual assaults and inmate misconduct, combating gang activity and drug use, and analyzing visitors. WebTAS offers States the ability to share critical information and collaborate with each other.

Date Published: January 1, 2007