Prison board hears progress on security upgrades; fence sensors and camera coverage expanding

The Chester County Prison’s security systems are being upgraded, with fence sensors that trigger alerts and integrated camera feeds among the changes, the warden told the Prison Board of Inspectors on July 23.

At the meeting Warden Gordon said contact or cutting of the enumerated fence will send an alert to the affected section, and that alerts go to central control and to iPads issued to vehicles so field staff can view sensors and cameras “right to that location.” He said the iPads, cars and cameras are operational while the perimeter intrusion detection (PID) program remains to be completed.

The nut graf: The board heard that the facility is improving the speed and precision of its security response through sensor alerts and mobile camera access, but that camera coverage inside the facility and final PID integration are unfinished and budgetary decisions remain to be made.

Coverage gaps and timeline: Gordon acknowledged there are interior areas, including some closets, that still need camera coverage and said the goal is 100 percent coverage. He told the board most exterior coverage is in place and that a majority of projects should be wrapped up around October or December, with three projects anticipated to continue into 2026.

Board members asked operational questions about the sensor and camera systems and whether they are fully operational. Gordon said the sensor alerts and mobile camera access are functioning, but that PID integration and remaining camera installation are ongoing. The board did not take formal action on the security items during the meeting.

Ending: The board accepted the security update and later moved to personnel and contract items.