Scalable real-time tracking for safer, smarter response in correctional facilities
In high-risk environments like prisons and detention centers, seconds matter. Officers are exposed daily to unpredictable, volatile situations, yet many facilities still rely on outdated systems or limited visibility when emergencies arise.
Traxmate empowers correctional facilities and other high-risk environments to pinpoint exactly where officers are when they signal for help.
Our powerful, hardware-agnostic tracking platform integrates seamlessly with your existing or planned officer duress systems, making it possible to build a smarter, more reliable solution for protecting staff. Whether you’re equipping officers with wearable alert devices or integrating location data into dispatch systems, Traxmate provides the real-time visibility, indoor precision, and emergency alert logic to protect frontline personnel.
The Need:
Urgent Safety Challenges in Correctional Environments
Correctional officers operate in some of the most dangerous workplaces in the world. Behind the controlled environment of prisons lies a volatile reality, where daily duties expose personnel to sudden conflict, physical harm, and extreme stress. Traditional communication tools or routine check-ins are simply not enough when real emergencies strike. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), correctional officers experience 445.6 nonfatal injury cases per 10,000 workers, nearly four times the average for all occupations (117.2 per 10,000).
These injuries often result from inmate assaults or forceful restraint situations and lead to:
- Missed workdays
- High turnover
- Increased medical and legal costs
- Operational disruption
The Cost of Inaction Is High
Workplace violence isn’t just a safety issue, it’s a business liability. According to Ariel et al. (2019)*, each physical assault on an officer results in an average of 5.58 lost workdays, not to mention substantial indirect costs.
The total economic cost of work-related deaths and injuries in the U.S. was estimated at $167 billion in 2021 (U.S. Department of Labor, 2024; National Safety Council, 2019).
Direct and indirect costs include:
- Wage replacement and medical expenses
- Workers’ compensation premiums
- Staffing shortages and overtime
- Legal expenses and compliance risks
At the same time, facilities are under pressure to improve security without adding excessive burden or cost. That’s why an effective officer duress system, powered by real-time tracking and instant alerts, is no longer optional. (Ariel et al. 2019)*
The Solution:
Enabling Reliable, Real-Time Safety Systems
An effective officer duress system depends on fast, reliable communication, precise location awareness, and the ability to adapt to complex, high-security environments. Traxmate provides the technology that enables these critical features.
Our platform is designed to support the core functions of a modern duress system by delivering real-time tracking, emergency alerting, and flexible system integration. Facilities can choose hardware from their preferred suppliers, while Traxmate provides the intelligence and control behind it.
How It Works
The solution is designed to be flexible and scalable, making it suitable for correctional facilities of all sizes. Officers are equipped with wearable or portable devices from any preferred hardware supplier, such as panic buttons, badges, or radios, as long as they meet the technical and quality requirements. These devices communicate wirelessly, typically via LoRaWAN, to ensure secure, low-power connectivity.
Location data from the devices is transmitted to the Traxmate cloud platform, where real-time monitoring, geofencing, and incident tracking are managed. The platform uses AI-enhanced indoor positioning, developed with Combain, to provide highly accurate tracking, even in complex indoor environments with limited GPS.
When a duress alert is triggered, the officer’s exact location is instantly identified, and alerts are sent through channels of your choice, such as web dashboards or on-site alarm systems. The system integrates with existing infrastructure and does not require smartphones or constant supervision, making it ideal for secure environments.
Technology breakdown:
Core components
Real-Time Location Monitoring
Continuous tracking indoors and outdoors using AI-enhanced BLE, LoRaWAN, GNSS, and Wi-Fi technologies.
AI-Based Indoor Positioning
Developed in collaboration with Combain, our system uses intelligent algorithms to deliver high-precision indoor tracking.
Discreet Duress Activation Support
Officers can discreetly trigger alerts from their devices. The alert is registered immediately on the Traxmate platform and routed to relevant personnel.
Immediate Notifications
Alerts can be dispatched via SMS, email, alert beacons, sirens, facility control panels, or Traxmate’s web console, reducing response time.
Customizable & Scalable Architecture
Easily adaptable to different hardware, infrastructures, and facility layouts, whether in a small detention unit or a large multi-building complex.
Secure Cloud Access
Authorized users can monitor personnel and incidents in real time via Traxmate’s secure web application, with full visibility and historical data logs.
The Impact:
A Safer Workforce, A Smarter Operation
Strengthening officer duress systems with real-time tracking capabilities can lead to a significant reduction in workplace injuries and associated costs. By enabling immediate emergency alerts and accurate personnel tracking, correctional facilities not only improve officer safety but also demonstrate a strong commitment to employee well-being and operational excellence.
These improvements go beyond physical safety. Real-time visibility and faster coordination reduce disruption, streamline incident management, and help facilities avoid significant unnecessary expenses related to lost productivity, turnover, and liability. In fact, one prevented assault can save approximately $9,592 in direct and indirect costs, a study conducted in 2019 found (Ariel et al. 2019).
- Reduced Workplace Violence-Related Costs
Faster alerts and precise tracking help minimize the severity and frequency of incidents. - Improved Staff Safety and Retention
When officers feel protected and supported, job satisfaction increases, leading to greater morale and lower turnover. - Enhanced Operational Efficiency
Instant notifications, centralized visibility, and coordinated responses ensure safer and more effective facility operations. - Cost Savings Through Prevention
Fewer injuries and disruptions translate into reduced medical claims, legal risks, and unplanned overtime costs.
The Business Case for
Real-Time Safety Solutions
Previous research has shown that officer duress systems have significantly reduced assaults and workplace violence in other high-risk environments, such as hospitals (Jagim, 2022). Traxmate brings this proven approach to correctional facilities, delivering the technology infrastructure needed to make safety more responsive, efficient, and consistent.
Investing in advanced safety systems powered by real-time positioning ensures greater resilience, responsiveness, and long-term value as correctional environments grow more complex and risk-sensitive.
Moreover, similar high-risk indoor environments, such as detention centers, psychiatric units, and industrial security operations, can benefit from AI-enhanced indoor tracking, making Traxmate a scalable safety and efficiency solution across multiple frontline sectors.
Next Steps
To get started, contact us to schedule a consultation. Learn how real-time personnel tracking and intelligent emergency alerts can help you enhance safety, reduce costs, and protect lives in correctional facilities or any other high-risk environment.
Continuous visibility of staff across indoor and outdoor areas ensures faster response in critical moments.
Officers can silently trigger duress alerts, allowing teams to act immediately, without escalating the threat.
Works with your preferred wearable or device supplier, making setup simple and scalable across any facility.
Smart algorithms deliver precise tracking even in complex environments like corridors, stairwells, and secure zones.
An Officer Duress System is a real-time safety solution that allows personnel to discreetly send an emergency alert when they’re in danger.
It instantly notifies supervisors and shares the officer’s exact location, ensuring rapid response in critical situations. Commonly used in correctional facilities, hospitals, and security settings, it helps prevent assaults, reduce response times, and protect frontline staff.