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Every week, another headline emerges – an inmate escapes, an assault is committed within a facility or an incident occurs that puts correctional officers and staff at risk. Too often, the underlying issue is the same: failures in door and lock security. These vulnerabilities, though preventable, continue to plague correctional facilities across the country, leading to safety concerns, operational inefficiencies and legal liabilities. If the facility fails to address these issues and they persist, it risks facing court-enforced consent decrees from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Despite the almost weekly occurrence of these issues, attention and budget is often focused on staffing shortages, inmate programs or other building upgrades. Those are all important elements of today’s correctional facilities; however, securing doors and locks – the most fundamental aspect of facility security – is frequently overlooked, undervalued or bundled into general construction and renovation projects where cost-cutting trumps security. It’s time to change that approach.
THE GROWING RISKS OF OUTDATED OR WEAK LOCKING SYSTEMS
Correctional facilities were designed to keep individuals securely housed while ensuring the safety of officers, staff and the incarcerated population. However, across the nation, we see instances where door and lock security failures result in serious consequences. These incidents have led to escapes, assaults and lawsuits—sometimes costing jurisdictions millions of dollars in settlements and federal oversight.
Why do these vulnerabilities persist? Several key issues contribute:
- Budget constraints on maintenance – Many facilities lack the funding for periodic lock inspections, repairs or upgrades. When maintenance budgets shrink, outdated or malfunctioning locks become an easy risk to ignore – until it’s too late.
- Evolving inmate populations – As inmate populations change, so do their methods for tampering with security systems. More facilities report incidents where inmates exploit weaknesses in outdated locks, often aided by growing knowledge-sharing within institutions.
- Operational and management changes – A shift toward indirect supervision and increased reliance on camera systems means fewer direct interactions between officers and inmates. When facility layouts and supervision styles evolve but locking systems remain static, vulnerabilities emerge.
- Procurement pitfalls – Security upgrades are frequently bundled into general renovation projects, where decisions are driven by cost rather than function. The “low bid” approach often results in the installation of inadequate locking systems that fail under real-world conditions.
A SMARTER APPROACH TO SECURITY PROCUREMENT
In a previous Corrections1 article, we highlighted key reforms needed to improve the standard procurement process for correctional security. While comprehensive changes take time, there are two practical steps facilities can take right now – without overhauling existing procurement strategies. These approaches are already viable within most purchasing frameworks; the industry simply needs to put them into action.
- Decouple security innovations from general construction – Security products – especially locks and doors – should not be bundled into broader facility renovations, where cost-cutting often takes priority over safety. By treating these components as distinct mission-critical assets, correctional leaders can ensure procurement decisions focus on security performance rather than fitting within a general contractor’s budget constraints. This approach allows specialized locking systems to be evaluated on their real-world effectiveness, preventing compromises that could lead to future security failures.
- Direct procurement of security products – Instead of relying solely on general contractors or detention equipment contractors to source security products, facilities should consider procuring locking systems directly from trusted manufacturers. This strategy helps avoid markups while giving correctional agencies greater control over product selection. By securing the best available locking technology at the procurement stage, facilities can set themselves up for long-term security success without adding complexity to their purchasing process.
These two steps don’t require new regulations or procedural overhauls – just a shift in mindset. The corrections industry already has the tools to improve its approach to security procurement. Now it’s time to use them.
RETHINKING SECURITY FOR THE FUTURE
Investing in superior locking systems today prevents costly failures tomorrow. Often, the initial expenses for high-quality, tamper-resistant locking systems are no more costly than the standard locks that have been on the market for decades. However, the long-term benefits – enhanced security, reduced liability and fewer maintenance issues – drive down the total cost of ownership of the locking system. In contrast, maintaining the status quo can lead to catastrophic consequences, including compromised safety and expensive litigation.
Correctional leaders must recognize that door and lock security is about ensuring that those doors stay locked under real-world conditions. By improving procurement strategies, prioritizing quality over cost and ensuring security technology keeps pace with evolving threats, facilities can create safer environments for both staff and residents.
