The Tippecanoe County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 17 approved a contract with Guardian RFID after the sheriff described the system as a method to replace handwritten movement logs in the jail.

The sheriff said the system uses inmate wristbands that include a photo and barcode and can be scanned to track movement inside the facility or when inmates leave the facility; data can be downloaded to show locations and remove the need for manual tracking. He told the board the system "should just help us, with holding ourselves more accountable." Cost figures presented in the meeting were $20,749.86 for year one and $13,495.50 for subsequent years; the sheriff said payment would come from commissary funds.

A commissioner moved to approve the contract; the motion was seconded and the board approved the contract by voice vote. No public opposition was recorded during the item.

Sources: Sheriff presentation and commissioners' approval during the Nov. 17 meeting.