From FOIA request management to surveillance monitoring, we're partnering with correctional facilities to modernize their documentation systems. Here's how our Ramsey County pilot is paving the way.
The Challenge
Correctional facilities face unique documentation challenges. Between surveillance footage, incident reports, FOIA requests, and compliance requirements, staff spend countless hours managing video and documentation workflows. For Ramsey County, this meant a small team struggling to keep up with hundreds of hours of footage and dozens of public records requests each month.
The existing process was entirely manual. When a FOIA request came in, staff had to locate relevant footage across multiple camera systems, manually review hours of video to identify what needed redaction, and then painstakingly blur faces and other sensitive information frame by frame. A single request could take days or even weeks to fulfill.
Understanding the Problem
Before proposing any solution, we needed to understand the actual workflows and challenges. Our team spent time embedded with the Ramsey County team, observing their processes, understanding their pain points, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
What we found was a dedicated team overwhelmed by volume. They wanted to fulfill FOIA requests promptly and maintain comprehensive incident documentation, but the manual processes made it nearly impossible to keep up. Technology should enable them to do their jobs better, not add complexity.
The Code Four Solution
We implemented a comprehensive solution that addresses multiple aspects of correctional facility documentation. Our AI-powered platform automatically processes surveillance footage, identifies incidents requiring documentation, and generates initial incident reports that staff can review and approve.
For FOIA requests, the system can automatically locate relevant footage based on date, time, and location parameters. It then applies intelligent redaction to protect the privacy of individuals not directly involved in the incident while preserving the evidentiary value of the video.
The redaction process that once took days now takes hours. Staff simply define the parameters of what needs to be redacted, and our AI handles the frame-by-frame work. The system maintains complete audit trails and allows for human review before final release, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Results and Impact
The results from the Ramsey County pilot have been remarkable. FOIA request processing time has decreased by over 80%, allowing the small team to handle significantly more requests without adding staff. Incident documentation is more comprehensive and consistent, and the time staff spend on routine tasks has dropped dramatically.
Perhaps more importantly, the team reports reduced stress and increased job satisfaction. Instead of spending their days on tedious manual work, they can focus on substantive review and analysis. Technology is doing what it should: handling the repetitive tasks so humans can focus on judgment and decision-making.
Expanding the Impact
Based on the success in Ramsey County, we are working with additional correctional facilities to deploy similar solutions. Each facility has unique needs and workflows, but the core challenges are remarkably consistent. Our platform is flexible enough to adapt to these variations while maintaining the efficiency gains.
We're also exploring additional applications of our technology in correctional settings, including automated monitoring for safety incidents, tracking of facility operations, and integration with existing case management systems.
Looking Forward
The justice system deserves modern technology that helps dedicated professionals serve more effectively. Our work with Ramsey County demonstrates that AI can make a real difference in correctional facility operations, improving efficiency while maintaining the oversight and accountability that these settings require.
We're committed to continuing this work and expanding access to these tools across the justice system. The success in Ramsey County is just the beginning of what's possible when technology is thoughtfully applied to real-world challenges.
