Sheriff’s office seeks single-source purchase of ceiling-mounted biometric sensors for high-risk jail cells

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office staff on May 13 presented a request to purchase ceiling-mounted biometric sensors and associated equipment from Reassurance Solutions LLC for $48,268 to monitor inmates in high-risk single cells.

Sheriff’s Office staff described the devices as ceiling- or wall-mounted sensors that continuously monitor breathing rate and pulse and will trigger an alarm at the monitoring station if a medical event or significant change is detected. Staff said the purchase is single-source, was recommended by the county risk pool and would be funded largely through a grant provided by the risk pool.

The initial deployment would target single cells used for suicide watch and temporary holding in booking, where inmates may arrive intoxicated or in acute withdrawal. Staff said ceiling-mounted units are preferable to wrist-worn monitors because inmates may remove or damage wrist devices.

Why it matters: continuous monitoring could fill gaps between periodic cell checks and help deputies detect and respond to medical emergencies more quickly in high-risk populations. Staff framed the purchase as a pilot that could expand if the technology proves effective.

Details discussed: the price cited was $48,268 for the Reassurance Solutions equipment. Deputies and commissioners emphasized that the units would monitor constantly rather than relying only on intermittent visual checks. Staff noted the potential to seek additional grant funding to expand deployment if successful; they also mentioned the possibility of devices capable of monitoring two people in a cell in the future.

Next steps: staff requested authorization to execute the single-source purchase and any amendments not exceeding 10% of the contract amount; at this agenda-setting session staff presented the procurement to the board for consideration.