On Tuesday Monroe County Prison board learned they may be getting a new tactical tool to help when intaking uncooperative inmates.

Warden Garry Haidle and Deputy Warden of Security Joseph McCoy heard about “the GLOVE,” and were able to go see a demonstration and learn more about another tool that would help keep his guards safe, as well as inmates at the Monroe County Correctional Facility.

“The Glove, which stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, is a conducted electrical weapon. It is designed to be used in conjunction with an officer’s defensive tactics training and other use of force tools to more effectively de-escalate use of force incidents and bring noncompliant subjects under control in a safe and timely manner,” Haidle said.

McCoy agreed and said it could be very helpful, especially if the person is intoxicated or combative.

It is hard to process someone and try to get them through the scanner.

Haidle said the Glove can be worn both before and during a law enforcement contact because the device only makes contact on bare skin. He said they had one of the deputies come up to help demonstrate.

When the Glove touched his arms that were covered by his shirt and also his legs that were covered, the deputy never felt a shock. When the bare skin on his wrists or ankles were touched, he felt the shock.

The Glove is turned on with a button and the on button illuminates.

The desired result of the Glove is to cause a distraction to the peripheral nervous system, making it more difficult for the subject to perform coordinated muscle movement. This distraction then allows the officer to place the subject under control.

The deputies do not have guns or stun guns on their person, so having this new tool would also be very useful when transporting inmates to the state prison. Sheriff Ken Morris agreed it would be very useful.

The commissioners asked how many they would need and Haidle said they would need five to six sets. Each set has two gloves, and many times law enforcement only needs one, such as when they go through the detector during intake.

The cost of a set of gloves is $1,400, a little less than the price of a Taser.

The hope is with grants the Monroe County Commissioners can move forward and the facility will be able to buy five or six of the gloves.

Correctional officers

Deborah Thompson, the jail’s human resources assistant, reported that the facility employs 100 correctional officers, 22 less than a full complement.

In May, 87 candidates applied but only seven took the test.

“The problem is they apply but don’t follow through. I do call and remind the applicants of the date and most of the time I have to leave a message because they don’t answer the phone, Thompson said.

She said texts seem to work better.

The commissioners made a motion to give Thompson one of the prison’s cellphones so she isn’t using her personal cellphone.

Haidle reported that the seven who took the test will soon be finished training.

He also reported that they are waiting for the workers to fix or purchase a new oil tank that has a leak.

Haidle said the high-speed internet being installed at the jail and the emergency center will start soon and will be finished in the fall, making communications much better.