[/floatr]The Age: Japanese prison to use tags in place of guards
Japan's first privately managed prison, due to open next year, will use wireless tags in place of guards and inmates will be put to work learning about computers instead of making furniture. The prison, funded by the government and run by a joint venture including security services firm Secom Co. Ltd., is part of efforts to cut costs as the number of inmates rises...Wireless tags on prisoners' clothes will allow inmates to meet visitors unaccompanied by the prison's guards, since every step will be monitored by computer, a Secom spokesman said. The facility, in Yamaguchi, southern Japan, will have wire fences and infrared sensors around it rather than concrete walls...To make it easier for inmates to find jobs after life behind bars, the prison will offer computer work instead of tasks such as making wooden tables and chairs...more...
