Chile Private Prison System

When the Chilean Ministry of Justice and Corrections decided to implement a system by which their low and medium security correction facilities would be built and its management would be given to a private management company to handle, one of the first needs was a surveillance system. The ten private jails are located throughout the country.

Today, the facilities in the Chilean private jail system are using Infinova fiber optic video multiplexers with dual data and audio transmission and reception capabilities along with Infinova's 240-channel analog matrix switcher with IP output for video transmission. As a result, the jail warden and the administrator can view the matrix switcher via Internet connection.

Fiber optic transmission was chosen for this implementation because fiber uniquely preserves the quality of video signals, provides a high level of security, transmits at higher bandwidths and lower losses, and operates at distances five times greater than coaxial cable. Importantly, Infinova fiber optic products easily integrate with Southern Microwave's perimeter control systems, which the private jail uses to transmit audio and video images.

Since surveillance at the jails was so critical, it was decided that the jails should use fiber optics versus standard cable solutions leveraging the following advantages:

• Better quality transmission
• No interference – lightning strikes, short circuits, “cross talk,” EMI, RFI
• No interference – high voltages in fluorescent lights, card access door strikes and outdoor lighting systems
• Lightweight
• Stable within a wide temperature range
• Long service life
• More secure – not easily tapped into or interfered with
• Extremely high bandwidth
• Tech growth – ongoing developments increase the amount of data transmitted

Fiber as a prime security tool also opened the applications doorway extraordinarily wide. There are almost unlimited capabilities of security video transmission and pan/tilt/zoom controls. Plus, a single fiber strand deals with bi-directional signaling, so one fiber between two points can carry multiple streams of security video in one direction while pan/tilt/zoom control can go in the opposite direction, all simultaneously.

With the Infinova fiber optic video multiplexers with dual data and audio transmission and reception capabilities, the private jail system can transmit digitally encoded video channels with audio and data over one optical fiber. Their data format supports factory default setting RS-232, DIP selectable RS-422, RS-485, Manchester or bi-phase. The 240-channel analog matrix switcher with IP output lets them turn the analog signals from their cameras into digital signals for transmission over the Southern Microwave equipment. For the private jail system, this is important because both the jail warden and the administrator can view what is going on in any or all of the jails.

By helping channel partners provide their customers with complete, affordable, best-in-class, large and small video surveillance solutions, Infinova helps integrators generate more business more profitably. Leveraging a manufacturing process certified to ISO 9001:2000 standards and over 250 engineers with a list of video industry firsts, Infinova channel partners provide their end-users with industry-acknowledged product reliability and technical leadership.

So that Infinova channel partners can create complete solutions, Infinova provides IP surveillance cameras and components, CCTV analog cameras, DVRs and components, camera accessories, monitors, power supplies and fiber optics communications devices. Infinova also has the technical ability and manufacturing flexibility to let integrators propose customized solutions. In addition, Infinova will partner with other manufacturers making other surveillance equipment and software to help its channel partners create turnkey solutions. Contrary to most other companies, Infinova will back-up their partners’ products as well as its own to assure both the integrator and its customers that one call – to Infinova only – takes care of everything.

Infinova works diligently to assure its channel partners can provide cost-conscious solutions. With Infinova’s hybrid systems, channel partners can propose systems that protect a customer’s investment in its already-installed analog surveillance system but that also put them on a dynamic migration pathway to IP systems.

Infinova is lauded for its exceptional maintenance programs. A major highlight is the company’s 24-hour advanced replacement policy in which a substitute product is shipped immediately upon notice of a problem.

From with such customer focus.