Due to aging facilities and high inmate populations at the original La Joya and La Joyita prisons, Panamanian Government officials opened a tender for the construction of a new and larger penitentiary in Pacora, Panama. The bid was awarded to the consortium UM Panamá, S.A., which in turn subcontracted the services of AMV International Development, S.A. With the idea of safety and security of the inmates, employees, and visitors as the main objective, AMV International Development, S.A. considered Pelco by Schneider Electric  video surveillance systems, for the quality and reliability needed for this mission-critical installation.

The new prison “La Gran Joya”,was opened on April 1, 2014, and it is estimated that normal operations will begin at the end of 2014 at which time the process of moving more than 5,500 inmates to the facility will begin as well. According to Angel Maria Contreras Rey, Director of Special Projects for AMV, “Additionally, the system needs to be flexible and scalable for on-going changes and expansion, and the system must be easy for the end-user to use. For all of this, we chose to work with Pelco video products.”

The “La Gran Joya” facility in Pacora, is comprised of 135 buildings spread over 37 acres. There are five detention sections, as well as an administration area and a trustee’s area. For a sense of the scale of the facility, there are 1,600 doors, all with access control and electromagnetic locks.

The video surveillance system incorporates a complete mix of nearly 900 fixed cameras, camera dome systems, enclosures, and PTZ dome systems. The cameras cover a wide range of scenes including complete perimeter security, exterior yards, roads, and walkways, all entries and exits; almost all internal areas, including inmate common areas, holding cells, cafeteria, infirmary and the like. All the video is fed to no less than 6 different control and storage rooms where the information is monitored analysed and archived.

“Working with Pelco offers great advantages,” said Contreras. “Being a worldwide recognised brand generates a very high degree of confidence with the end user. The video quality is excellent, system reliability is very good, and we know the entire system is backed by the industry’s best training, service and support, should we need additional help.”

IP VMS for Mission Critical Surveillance

“Being a worldwide recognised brand generates a very high degree of confidence with the end use"

Endura is the ideal video management system (VMS) for mission-critical surveillance operations requiring around the clock monitoring and unwavering reliability. It provides the tools security and IT professionals need to effectively safeguard people and property. With the ability to scale thousands of cameras, Endura is designed to fit a wide range of applications - including prisons, airports, casinos, and city surveillance - where unmatched fault tolerance and system integrity are mandatory. Customisable permission settings and unlimited user profiles enable access for multiple stakeholders, driving greater return on security investment across your enterprise.

Spectra HD Integrated, High-Speed Dome Positioning System

Based on the Sarix technology platform, the Spectra HD family of high-speed dome positioning systems delivers unparalleled image quality. These all-digital systems provide the look and feel of traditional Spectra series domes while taking video quality, control and responsiveness to a whole new level. Available in both 1080p and 720p resolutions, Spectra HD comes standard with built-in analytics, up to 20x or 30x optical zoom, USB expansion slots and, of course, very responsive 360° continuous pan rotation for the precision and fine control.

Sarix with SureVision Technology

Traditionally, when a scene contains both brightly lit and shaded areas as well as intense light sources, image quality has been known to suffer. But SureVision technology, exclusive to Sarix cameras, combines Wide Dynamic Range along with Low Light and Anti- Bloom capabilities into one highly intelligent technology. Sarix cameras with SureVision automatically deliver the best possible image in the most complex lighting conditions. And with new features allowing for ease of setup, convenient functions, and more control – Sarix is the ideal solution for every possible environment and demand. Sarix cameras with SureVision technology are currently available in both box and mini dome models, with ground-breaking new features available for all models of Sarix and Sarix Thermal Imaging.

About AMV International Development S.A.

AMV International Development SA, part of the business group AMV Energy and Communications, has the backing of more than 29 years of systems integration experience and expertise in Colombia. The company has been expanding throughout the region and into other countries, including Panama, Peru, and southern Florida, within the United States. AMV is a leader in the service sector of Electrical Engineering, Communications, Fire Alarm, Access Control, CCTV, Sound, Automation and Automation projects for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential infrastructure, providing a comprehensive service in all areas.

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