Thursday, June 26, 2008

Don't Taze me Bro! XXI




Whatever it takes.



Tasers successful in controlling Bexar County Jail inmates
Selena Hernandez: KENS 5 Eyewitness News

Bexar County Jail guards are always at risk of encountering physically aggressive and potentially dangerous scenarios when faced with non-compliant inmates.

"They have to use their tactics to try and restrain them. It could last sometimes up to an hour," Corporal Jaclyn Davidson said.

But now, guards are armed with more than just backup. Twelve Tasers in the hands of SERT sergeants are changing the way bad behavior is battled behind bars.

"You don't have to be physically confrontational. You don't have to put yourself at risk or the safety of the inmate either," Deputy Wendell Busby said.

Tasers have only been in use for a little over a year at the jail, but administrators say they're so pleased with them, they want more.

By all appearances, the device is making a difference in jail.

"A lot of the inmates are walking by, they'll look at the Taser and move away," Busby said.

Guards have used their Tasers three different times, twice in the booking process.