Key Takeaways
- 4Sight Labs has launched its OverWatch wearable safety and welfare monitoring system at the Harford County Detention Center
- The system provides real-time notifications to detention staff in case of unusual or abnormal activity, enabling faster response times
- OverWatch has already demonstrated its impact through multiple interventions, including locating an unresponsive inmate and identifying an undiagnosed cardiac condition
- The system is designed to address the unique challenges faced by correctional facilities, including limited staffing and elevated risks
- OverWatch is deployed in over 70 correctional facilities across the United States, enhancing safety and welfare awareness, supporting faster intervention, and reducing risk
Introduction to OverWatch
The Harford County Detention Center has officially launched OverWatch, a wearable safety and welfare monitoring system developed by 4Sight Labs. This innovative technology is designed to provide early, measurable improvements in emergency response times through real-time notifications. OverWatch continuously monitors individuals using heart rate, oxygen saturation, skin temperature, and motion data, notifying detention staff the moment that data reveals something unusual or abnormal may be occurring. This enables deputies and other personnel to respond within seconds, rather than relying solely on scheduled wellness checks or visible signs of distress.
Real-World Impact of OverWatch
Since the system went live in July, OverWatch has already demonstrated its impact through multiple interventions. In one incident, an OverWatch notification prompted staff to locate an inmate who was unresponsive in his cell. Because the alert was received in real time, deputies were able to respond immediately and initiate medical intervention within seconds. In another instance, the system alerted staff that an individual required a wellness check, which led to the discovery of an undiagnosed cardiac condition. This proactive intervention enabled medical staff to take action before the situation escalated. These examples highlight the potential of OverWatch to save lives and improve outcomes in correctional facilities.
Addressing Unique Challenges in Correctional Facilities
Correctional facilities face unique challenges, including limited staffing and populations with elevated risks. Traditional wellness checks can leave dangerous gaps between observations, which can have devastating consequences. OverWatch addresses these gaps by providing continuous monitoring and instant notifications, transforming silent emergencies into immediate, actionable events. By launching OverWatch at Harford County, 4Sight Labs has already seen how real-time visibility enables faster decisions and faster response times. As David Sanders, CEO at 4Sight Labs, noted, "Time is everything in an emergency. When seconds matter, OverWatch helps staff act and intervene."
Deployment and Mission
Participation in the program at Harford County is voluntary, and early outcomes following the July launch continue to highlight the value of wearable monitoring in a correctional environment. Today, OverWatch is deployed in more than 70 correctional facilities and counting across the United States, where it is making a monumental impact on correctional operations. The Harford County deployment further reinforces 4Sight Labs’ mission to reduce preventable in-custody emergencies by equipping correctional professionals with technology designed to support timely, informed intervention. By providing real-time visibility and enabling faster response times, OverWatch is helping to enhance safety and welfare awareness, support faster intervention, reduce risk, and better protect both incarcerated individuals and the professionals responsible for them.
About 4Sight Labs
4Sight Labs develops advanced safety and welfare technology for correctional and public safety environments. Its flagship OverWatch system is a wearable monitoring solution designed to detect early signs of distress, alert staff in real time, and improve outcomes through faster intervention. For more information, visit www.4sightlabs.com. With its innovative technology and commitment to improving correctional operations, 4Sight Labs is poised to make a significant impact in the industry. As the company continues to deploy OverWatch in correctional facilities across the United States, it is likely that we will see even more examples of the system’s life-saving potential.
