Introduction to AI Surveillance in Prisons
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in prisons to monitor and analyze inmate communications has raised concerns about privacy and the potential for abuse. According to Kendrick, a critic of the technology, "Are we going to stop crime before it happens because we’re monitoring every utterance and thought of incarcerated people? I think this is one of many situations where the technology is way far ahead of the law."
How AI Surveillance Works
A spokesperson for Securus, the company behind the AI tool, explained that it "is not focused on surveilling or targeting specific individuals, but rather on identifying broader patterns, anomalies, and unlawful behaviors across the entire communication system." The tool is designed to make monitoring more efficient, especially in the face of staffing shortages, and is not intended to surveil individuals without cause.
Funding for AI Surveillance
Securus will have an easier time funding its AI tool thanks to a recent win in a battle with regulators over how telecom companies can spend the money they collect from inmates’ calls. In 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a major reform that forbade telecoms from passing the costs of recording and surveilling calls on to inmates. However, this ruling was met with negative reactions from associations of sheriffs and attorneys general from 14 states, who argued that they could no longer afford proper monitoring of calls.
The FCC’s Role in AI Surveillance
While Securus was building and piloting its AI tool, the company held meetings with the FCC and lobbied for a rule change, arguing that the 2024 reform went too far and asking that the agency again allow companies to use fees collected from inmates to pay for security. In June, Brendan Carr, the FCC chairman, announced that the agency would postpone all deadlines for jails and prisons to adopt the 2024 reforms and signaled that the agency wants to help telecom companies fund their AI surveillance efforts with the fees paid by inmates.
New Rules for AI Surveillance
On October 28, the FCC voted to pass new, higher rate caps and allow companies like Securus to pass security costs relating to recording and monitoring of calls on to inmates. A spokesperson for Securus said that the company aims to balance affordability with the need to fund essential safety and security tools, including advanced monitoring and AI capabilities. However, FCC commissioner Anna Gomez dissented in the ruling, arguing that law enforcement, not the families of incarcerated people, should foot the bill for unrelated security and safety costs.
Conclusion
The use of AI surveillance in prisons raises important questions about privacy, security, and the role of technology in the justice system. While proponents argue that the technology is necessary to maintain secure facilities and protect the public, critics argue that it goes too far and infringes on the rights of inmates. As the FCC seeks comment on the new rules, it is clear that the debate over AI surveillance in prisons is far from over.
FAQs
- What is AI surveillance in prisons?
AI surveillance in prisons refers to the use of artificial intelligence technology to monitor and analyze inmate communications, such as phone calls and messages. - Who is behind the AI surveillance tool?
The AI surveillance tool is developed by Securus, a company that provides telecommunications services to prisons and jails. - What is the purpose of AI surveillance in prisons?
The purpose of AI surveillance in prisons is to identify potential security threats and prevent crimes from happening. - How is AI surveillance funded?
AI surveillance is funded by fees collected from inmates’ calls, as well as by the prisons and jails themselves. - What are the concerns about AI surveillance in prisons?
Concerns about AI surveillance in prisons include the potential for abuse, the infringement on inmates’ rights, and the lack of transparency and oversight.
