October 8, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

Even the most secure of maximum security prisons and supermax prisons are still required to provide some basic supplies to prisoners. However, this must be done with consideration for the use of these items in storing contraband or being crafted into weapons. Prison systems solve this problem with a variety of security toiletries that are designed for this purpose.

Toothbrushes are a common source of improvised weaponry within prison culture; the long handled versions can either be sharpened down for use as a stabbing weapon or can have a razor blade attached to the body to create an improvised knife. To help lower the usability of these common items as weapons, prisons use security brushes with thumbprint handles - including pre-pasted thumbprint toothbrushes for facilities that do not want to distribute toothpaste tubes - or finger toothbrushes that fit over the tip of the finger and are almost impossible to turn into weapons.

Another common source of improvised weaponry in prisons is the disposable razor; inmates need to shave, but normal disposable razors have handles that can be sharpened down, and the blade itself can be extracted for use as a weapon component. Prisons have solved this problem with the advent of security razors, with a minimum of sharpenable plastic content, blades designed to break apart if tampered with, and a flexible, thin handle with no hidden cavities for storing contraband and practically no utility as a weapon component.

Another common source of problems in a correctional facility is the fact that any container can be used to conceal contraband from officers. Security toiletries take this into account by providing solutions for minimum concealment - with clear 4 oz bottles of all-in-one shampoo/body wash/shave gel, or clear 1/3 oz packets for single-use distribution.

The use of security toiletries in correctional facilities, including detention centers, federal prisons, and state prisons, helps protect the lives of correctional officers and of inmates, allowing prisons to maintain standards of human decency in the safest possible manner for all concerned. These products, as well as related products for lower-security prisons, institutional usage, and hospitality usage, and other institutional and correctional supplies, are available for purchase by the case from Anchortex Corporation and American Detention Supplies. Quantity quotes are available for large orders.

Posted in Law Enforcement, Correctional, Police and Security, American Detention Supplies | No Comments »

September 25, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

Members of law enforcement know that no matter how calm a suspect may seem, once their back is turned, they may become a threat at any time. Belligerent drunks, hardened criminals, gang members, and even ordinary citizens may turn into lethal threats while a policeman’s back is turned. Often, the only thing standing between them and danger while driving is a well-made vehicle partition.

With this in mind, Anchortex Corporation supplies Setina vehicle partitions to law enforcement and security customers throughout the United States, as well as other security-conscious passenger transit agencies. For most agencies, a stationary vehicle partition is appropriate, with a polycarbonate transparent plate used for maximum safety and protection, or a partial or full metal diamond lattice screen when communication or ventilation needs must be met. Partitions are also available with lockable sliding window sections for ease of communication, or fold-down partitions for situations where a partition is not always needed. There are also specialized K-9 partitions for vehicles transporting canine officers.

Partitions are available for most cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans, as well as other vehicle equipment for police and security vehicles such as lightbars, bumpers, weapon storage systems, and window barriers. Contact our sales department for more information and to get a quote for your personal vehicle, department, or organization.

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July 8, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

Law enforcement officers executing a search warrant face unique challenges. In most cases, they are not welcome and must gain forcible entry as quickly as possible before vital evidence can be destroyed or disposed of. For this reason, law enforcement officers engaged in dynamic entry activities typically use tools meant specifically to break down, cut
through, or pry apart obstacles that might impede them from conducting a thorough search. Thus, tactical entry kits are a common sight among search teams when resistance is expected.

A good, sturdy pair of bolt cutters are a vital asset to a tactical entry team. Padlocks, security chains, barbed wire, and chain link fences are often used to keep people out, but a sturdy pair of bolt cutters will let police search teams in. The best models include heat treated, hardened cutting edges to give them the best chance against sturdy bolts, and are designed specifically to not conduct electricity so that even electrified fences can be dismantled with relative ease.

Breaking down doors and other obstacles, or breaking into secured areas, is another common impediment to searching an area thoroughly. In these situations, the best tactical tool for quick entry is a combination of two separate tools - an axe head for cutting and a sledge head for smashing - into a single tool called a maul. The resulting tool is light enough to be easily carried, but tough enough to break open most obstacles.

Rounding out the tactical tool set, a good prybar or Hallagan tool allows the tactical entry specialist to breach a door or padlock that cannot or should not be broken or cut. These tools can be safely wedged or hammered into position, then pulled or hammered to pry apart or break open locked or jammed doors, sealed containers, and other obstructions with relative ease. They are preferably non-sparking and non-conductive so as to be usable in areas where a fire or electrical hazard exists.

A tactical backpack kit combines these three tools into a single unit that can be worn on the back, where the tools are easily accessible when needed but do not occupy the hands when idle. They allow search operations to be carried out efficiently and quickly, reducing the risk to officers and civilians. Every search team should have at least one tactical backpack kit ready to go when dynamic entry is authorized.

Posted in Law Enforcement, Correctional, Police and Security, American Detention Supplies, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

May 25, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

The question seems simple enough - which is a better towel to suit a large facility’s needs? Are there significant advantages to one over the other? Both towels have specific advantages that make them better suited towards a specific market, but both towels have their place within an institutional environment.

Cotton towels and cotton washcloths are naturally more absorbent than poly-cotton blends, capable of absorbing over twenty times their weight in liquids. Furthermore, cotton becomes stronger when wet, making it ideal for vigorous scrubbing and cleaning tasks. It can also withstand higher temperatures than blended fabrics, meaning that it can be sanitized in boiling water easily and making it ideal for institutional settings where cleanliness is highly important. Finally, it feels softer to the touch and is naturally hypoallergenic, resulting in a more comfortable experience when used. This makes them ideal for use in hotels, hospitals, and other institutional environments.

Blended poly-cotton towels and poly-cotton washcloths are less absorbent than 100% cotton, but are more easily maintained. The addition of polyester to the blend makes for a fabric that is more durable overall while retaining cotton’s advantages. Furthermore, poly-cotton blends repel dirt and grime more readily, and dry out more quickly after use. This makes them common staples in hotels, motels, locker rooms, prisons, and other institutional environments where mildew may be a concern.

Is your hospitality, institutional, or correctional facility looking to stock up on linens and laundry supplies? Contact one of our friendly sales representatives to find a solution to meet your size, weight, and color requirements without breaking your budget.

Posted in Correctional, American Detention Supplies | 1 Comment »

May 21, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

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Have you ever watched a trial on television, or seen a documentary on a correctional facility, and noticed that prisoners in confinement are shown wearing peculiar green or navy blue sleeveless gowns, even when the typical prison uniform consists of brighter colors? These are what are known as suicide safety smocks. They, along with suicide safety blankets, are given to inmates who are considered a potential risk for suicide or self-mutilation. But what makes them safe? Suicide safety smocks and blankets are made especially for people who may be a suicide risk, and have many special features not found in ordinary garments and bedding.

Suicide smocks provide the essentials in warmth and modesty, and can be machine-washed without risking damage to the material. They are water-resistant to easily shed soiling, and they are quilted from durable materials such as nylon Cordura or Quadlan that are more comfortable than canvas while having a much higher level of durability. Unlike normal clothing, these smocks are designed to thwart suicide attempts in a number of ways.

The leading source of prisoner suicide attempts is clothing or bedding used to hang themselves while alone in their cells. To mitigate this risk, suicide smocks are specifically designed to be sleeveless, and the material is bulky and cannot be easily rolled or folded into a rope-like material. Suicide smocks fasten at the chest and shoulders with Velcro, so that they give way under pressure and can be easily removed by medical personnel in the event that the wearer manages to hurt himself in some other fashion.

Suicide blankets, likewise, are designed from the same durable Cordura or Quadlan material; they are comfortable and warm enough to serve their intended purpose as blankets without being readily usable by inmates as a source of noose materials. In the event that a prisoner manages to light their bedding or clothing on fire, the material is bulky enough that flames burn out quickly; combined with institutional mattresses that have passed California flammability certifications, this greatly limits the risk of inmate-caused fires. As no metal fasteners, zippers, or other metal components are used in the manufacture of these smocks and blankets, the ability to fashion a sharp instrument as a weapon against themselves, other inmates, or correctional personnel is likewise curtailed.

Many prisons distribute orange inmate jumpsuits to their prisoners because the color is easily visible and recognizable from a distance. However, suicide prevention clothing and inmate bedding is typically made from darker green and blue colors for the same reason that many institutions paint their walls in green or blue tones; these colors have a subtle relaxing effect that can help to soothe an agitated individual.

In short, suicide safety smocks and suicide safety blankets serve a very important role in detention facilities, mental health institutions, prisons, jails, and other correctional or medical environments. They provide the basic level of functionality prisoners require, while limiting the capability of the prisoner or patient to use them as a weapon against themselves, each other, or facility staff. They are extremely durable and long-lasting, require no special maintenance beyond standard laundering, and are a valuable asset for any facility that houses potentially suicidal individuals.

Posted in American Detention Supplies, Articles | No Comments »

April 20, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

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You may have noticed that institutional furnishings are made to a higher standard than your typical office furniture. Police stations, jails, prisons, military bases, detention facilities, medical institutions, parks, schools, and many other public and private facilities all demand furniture that is inexpensive, durable, and can survive whatever man or nature can throw at it. So what goes into making an item institutional-quality?

When people think ‘institutional’, they typically think of an environment where conditions towards furnishings are especially abusive, and durability is a top concern. The typical injection-molded plastic chair for use in an institutional environment is impact and flame-resistant, capable of surviving being hurled across a room without the slightest sign of damage. Your typical mattress for prison or dormitory use is designed to resist cutting and burning, while still being easy to clean. Comfort is typically a secondary concern.

This isn’t always the case, though. Take this lovely item, for instance - a stylish wooden chair with a soft foam cushion that wouldn’t look out of place in a waiting room, yet conceals a skeleton of steel that allows it to withstand damage that would shatter a lesser chair. For your office commander who wants something a bit more durable, there’s even office chairs designed with lasting quality and durability in mind. ‘Institutional’ quality doesn’t necessarily mean uncomfortable, just durable.

Institutional furniture also doesn’t necessarily mean ‘prison furniture.’ This dining table is actually common in high school and hospital cafeterias, due to its combination of durability and affordability. Folding tables like these are used as demo tables in high-traffic stores such as Wal-Mart due to their sturdiness under pressure. These outdoor rectangular tables are frequently found in state and national parks due to their ability to endure the worst weather. Institutional quality simply means a product that is designed to last.

Anchortex Corporation is a leading distributor in institutional-quality furnishings and fixtures through its correctional division, American Detention Supplies, as well as directly to businesses and organizations across the United States. If you’re looking for furniture that can survive the test of time and the tribulations of mankind, look no further and contact us for more information.

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