The system is scheduled for deployment in late 2025, and will initially be installed in 12 of the 30 detention cells at Prince Albert’s main facility as part of a pilot program. Developed by GT Global Services Inc., the technology uses ceiling-mounted, contactless sensors to track vital signs such as heart rate and respiration, as well as overall body motion. It is capable of detecting physiological changes even when detainees are lying under blankets or mattresses, allowing staff to respond swiftly to potential medical emergencies.
The platform does not store personally identifiable information. The monitoring function is activated only when a cell is occupied, and all data retention practices are governed by existing police policies. Law enforcement officials emphasized that the system is designed to supplement, not replace, routine physical wellness checks by detention staff.
The deployment represents the first official collaboration between the Prince Albert Police Service and the recently established Saskatchewan Marshals. Formed to support provincial law enforcement operations, the Marshals are a new addition to Saskatchewan’s public safety infrastructure and have generated debate regarding their mandate and long-term role. The biometric monitoring initiative is one of their first major technology-oriented partnerships.
Broader adoption of biometric custody monitoring has gained traction across North America, particularly in response to growing public concern over deaths in custody and gaps in inmate medical oversight. The U.S. Department of Defense’s 2022 initiative to fund national security technologies, including biometrics, is part of this larger trend. In Canada, the Regina Police Service has already implemented a similar system, and Prince Albert now joins a small but growing group of jurisdictions pursuing high-tech alternatives to traditional surveillance and wellness checks.
Officials say training for officers and detention staff on the use of the new system will begin in the coming months. If the pilot proves successful, the technology may be expanded to other detention facilities across the province. The biometric system is expected to provide automated alerts in real time, enhancing both transparency and safety while addressing calls for better detainee health monitoring in law enforcement environments.
Sources: Panow, Policing Insight
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May 13, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
