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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 07/12/2024 - The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office recently implemented the OverWatch™ system, an innovative inmate health monitoring solution by 4Sight Labs, to enhance safety and security in the Kittitas County Jail (KCJ). KCJ is the first facility in the state of Washington to adopt this advanced safety system.
The OverWatch system provides KCJ with valuable new inmate health monitoring and response capabilities. The system enables remote, real-time monitoring of critical inmate health metrics and alerts Jail staff to potential threats and medical emergencies, enabling prompt intervention. OverWatch sensors can be distributed to inmates during the critical jail intake period, when the greatest risks to an inmate’s health often emerge. Inmates with persistent known health risks can also be monitored and protected. This technology is designed to be instrumental in preventing incidents before they escalate, ensuring inmates' and staff's ongoing safety and well-being.
Washington jails and prisons experienced 24 in-custody deaths in 2023 and another 12 so far in 2024. Though the Kittitas County Jail has had no recent in-custody deaths, the facility remains committed to continuous improvement and prevention. The deployment of OverWatch underscores this commitment to a safe custody environment. "We are committed to maintaining the highest safety and security standards for everyone in our custody. Implementing the OverWatch system is a significant step toward enhancing these standards," stated Sheriff Clay Myers.
David Sanders, Chief Operating Officer of 4Sight Labs, added, "We look forward to working with the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office to integrate the OverWatch system into their operations. Our technology is designed to enhance situational awareness and enable rapid response, ultimately improving facility security."
As the pilot program for this technology in Washington State, Kittitas County is being fully reimbursed for OverWatch program start-up costs by Washington Counties Risk Pool, an association that insures and helps manage risk and liability for 24 county governments in the state.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Inspector Chris Whitsettchristopher.whitsett@co.kittitas.wa.us509-962-7525
