NEC and Aruba deliver digital services platform at Australia's largest prison

Clarence Correctional Centre, Australia’s largest prison, has implemented an advanced inmate digital services platform using technology that maximises security and facilitates inmate rehabilitation.

NEC Australia and Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, teamed up to install and deliver new technologies and a network management system to effectively monitor inmate activity and safety through a comprehensive surveillance and network outfitting, and help correctional managers run safer institutions.

NEC Australia worked with Aruba, prison operator Serco and Clarence Correctional Centre on the implementation of ICT systems and managed services including telephony, voice and video gateways, end-point devices, operator services and inmate digital services (IDS), which will allow Serco to rapidly deploy third-party applications, programs and digital content.

“We are proud to develop and implement the most advanced digital services platform for Clarence Correctional Centre, keeping security guards, staff and inmates safe,” said Milan Djuricic, Vice President, Managed Services, NEC Australia.

The digital services platform allows the facility to monitor security and manage WLAN and LAN services on-premise. As part of the platform, inmates who practise acceptable social behaviours will be granted access to self-service technology, such as secure networks, managed family communication and internal facility-based, cashless banking resources, to support their rehabilitation and prepare for release back into the community.

“We believe technology can play an important role in enabling society and the implementation of this new digital platform is designed to do just that,” said Djuricic.

“As a global company which has built a reputation for world-leading advances in communications technology, and through collaboration with the likes of Aruba, we are proud of what we have delivered at the Clarence Correctional Centre.”

Clarence Correctional Centre, situated 12 km south of Grafton in Northern NSW, is a 1700-bed men’s and women’s facility employing more than 600 staff. The centre opened in June 2020 and has been designed, built and operated by a public–private partnership (PPP), with the Northern Pathways consortium comprising Serco, John Laing, John Holland Group and Macquarie Capital, on behalf of the NSW Government.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Sakhom38