HMP Liverpool is a major prison within the prison service employing over 900 staff.

To improve the recording and monitoring of contractors and prison visitors they have installed a Tensor Prison Visitor Identification and Monitoring system that incorporates both photographic and Tensor biometric fingerprint reading capability.

The system is called "PrisonPass". Currently there are four units installed within the prison.

"We do not yet use PrisonPass to it's full potential," explained Dave Rogers, Head of Operations. "However, there are plans to expand the use of this tool," he said.

Dave went on to explain, "PrisonPass is currently used to identify contractors working within the prison. It is also used to identify all domestic visitors for prisoners whilst also being used to ID prisoners upon discharge from custody, and to stop them from entering the Visits Area following their discharge."

PrisonPass was installed by Tensor and there were initially a number of teething problems surrounding the biometric software and the reliability of the biometric units "..but, these appear to been overcome now," remarked Dave, "The system has now operated for some time without any problems," he said.

Ian Beals of HMP Liverpool was initially trained by Tensor in how to use PrisonPass and this training was then rolled out to other key staff. Dave Rogers described, "the Tensor fingerprint readers are used to enrol and identify prisoner fingerprints at Reception and also for domestic prisoners."

Asked what he liked most about the Tensor PrisonPass system, Dave replied, "The ability to identify offenders, visitors and contractors, quickly; and the ability to know how many visitors or contractors are in the prison at a given time."

When asked how easy the PrisonPass system is to use? Dave said "fairly easy to use", and how easy are the Tensor Smart Cards to use? "very easy" was the reply.

Customer Information

HMP Liverpool
68 Hornby Road,
Walton,
Liverpool
L9 3DF

Tel: 0151 530 4000