Content provided by Willo Products
In a recent survey conducted by Willo Products, corrections employees from across the country shared their experiences with the security challenges posed by inmate tampering and faulty lock mechanisms in correctional facilities. Wardens, sheriffs, corrections officers, maintenance personnel and many other corrections employees answered the call for their insight. The findings reveal troubling statistics that underscore the need for more reliable detention door hardware to ensure the safety of both staff and inmates.
HALF OF ALL RESPONDENTS REPORT LOCK TAMPERING
The survey revealed that 50% of respondents had directly encountered lock tampering in their facilities. Common tampering includes everything from inmates jamming debris into lock mechanisms to more sophisticated attempts to break or defeat the internal linkages. The consequences of these efforts range from minor inconveniences to potentially dangerous security breaches. In an environment where safety depends on reliable locks, this result should be an alarm going off for correctional leaders.
A MAJORITY DEAL WITH UNRELIABLE DOORS AND LOCKS
Even more concerning is that 64% of respondents reported experiencing situations where a door appeared to be locked but wasn’t. Inmates, who have time to devise methods for defeating locks, can exploit weaknesses in less secure door and locking systems. In some instances, corrections officers have pulled on a door during their rounds, believing it was secure, only for an inmate to open it once the officer’s back is turned. This type of scenario represents a serious risk to both the officer’s safety and facility security. Faulty locks are not just an operational failure, they are a threat to lives.
STAFF ATTRITION LINKED TO SAFETY CONCERNS
Safety concerns were also cited as a significant factor in staff turnover. One in five respondents (20%) reported that safety concerns “definitely” contribute to people leaving their jobs, while another 36% said it was a possibility but couldn’t be certain. Even more striking, 13% believe safety concerns are the primary reason employees quit, ranking higher than issues related to pay, hours or scheduling. Correctional facilities already face challenges in retaining staff, and the survey shows unsafe working conditions only exacerbate the issue.
IMPROVED LOCKS, IMPROVED SAFETY AND MORALE
According to the survey, 39% of respondents believe that improving lock quality would lead to enhanced morale among staff, while another 40% think it’s a possibility. This aligns with the finding that security measures related to lock safety were ranked as the most critical for ensuring daily safety within the facility. Respondents rated lock safety higher than control systems, security cameras, phone or radio systems, and even fencing. It’s clear that reliable locks are foundational to overall facility security and improving lock reliability could help mitigate many of the other issues related to staff retention and safety.
WHY TRADITIONAL LOCK REPLACEMENT ISN’T ENOUGH
When asked what they value most in a lock, the survey yielded some surprising results. Reliability and quality ranked as the two most important attributes, even among senior leadership, surpassing cost as the top priority. The findings reflect a growing awareness that a lock is only as good as its ability to consistently function under duress. Furthermore, 62% of respondents said that having locks with modern, secure features is “extremely important” to their facility’s operations. This indicates a demand for innovation in lock technology – products that can keep pace with the increasingly clever attempts by inmates to exploit weaknesses.
THE CALL FOR TAMPER-RESISTANT LOCKING SYSTEMS
The survey highlights a pressing need for facilities to invest in modern, secure, tamper-resistant and reliable locks. With 50% of respondents facing tampering issues and 64% dealing with locks that don’t function as expected, the dangers are clear. These failures can lead to compromised safety, staff attrition and the potential for life-threatening incidents. Now, more than ever, correctional facilities must prioritize upgrading their locking mechanisms to prevent further risks and enhance safety.
To view the full, anonymized results of the survey, visit Willo Products’ website by clicking here.
Willo Products Company has long been a leader in providing innovative solutions to these challenges, offering retrofit options that improve security without requiring a complete overhaul of existing systems. Retrofitting is not only cost-effective but also minimizes disruption to daily operations. Investing in these proven solutions now will prevent far greater expenses down the line, both in terms of financial costs and human lives.