Computer Failure Affects Prison Door-Control System

By Andrew Gorosko

A computer system malfunction within the state’s Garner Correctional Institution on Nunnawauk Road resulted in the high-security prison’s automated door-control system failing, which led to an 18-hour period last month during which the prison operated on “lockdown status.”

Garner Warden James Dzurenda on April 11 informed members of the Public Safety Committee for Garner Correctional Institution that the computer problem, which had occurred about three weeks earlier, resulted in correction officers in the prison having to manually lock and unlock the doors within the prison, when necessary.

When the computer malfunction occurred, the prison’s many doors no longer could be locked and unlocked electronically, Warden Dzurenda told committee members. The ad hoc panel meets quarterly to discuss public safety issues that are posed by the presence of Garner.

Although the prison is not yet 14 years old, such computer problems occurred, the warden said. “[The year] 1992 doesn’t seem that long ago,” but the computer system used to control the doors is considered “antiquated,” he said.

A computer technician had to travel here from Ohio to repair the problem, he said.

The door-control system did not pose any public safety hazards, Warden Dzurenda said. After the problem occurred, all inmates were locked into their cells as a security measure, he said.

After the door-control system failed, correction officers blocked the driveway entrance to Garner at 50 Nunnawauk Road, halting normal visiting hours for inmates, according to the warden.

The prison is located on a 110-acre site at 50 Nunnawauk road that formerly was part of Fairfield State Hospital, a psychiatric complex commonly known as Fairfield Hills, which closed in December 1995.

On April 11, there were 562 male inmates incarcerated in the 245,000-square-foot prison, which opened in November 1992. Garner specializes in housing inmates with serious psychiatric disorders, with 455 of those being held that day categorized as mental health prisoners. The prison has about 300 staff members.

About 155 inmates now in Garner are “unsentenced” prisoners who are awaiting trial on pending charges, the warden said. Some of the prisoners held in Garner are awaiting trial on federal charges.

In another prison matter, Warden Dzurenda said Garner has twice tested its public notification system, which is used to inform the public in the event of prison situations that pose public safety issues.

The system was tested on the first Saturday of April and March, he said. The system makes prioritized, automated telephone calls to people on a calling list, informing them of prison emergencies, such as prisoner escapes, riots, fires, and prison evacuations.

Garner plans to test the system on the first Saturday of each month, between the hours of 8 and 10 am, the warden said.

Approximately 35 local residents have signed up to be notified in the event of a prison emergency.

Also, Warden Dzurenda told committee members that low-security Garner inmates would be occasionally picking up litter that accumulates along the section of Nunnawauk Road lying between the prison and Wasserman Way.

The inmates wear khaki pants and white T-shirts. They are supervised while on litter patrol.