2022 | Knox Co., TN to Upgrade Roger D. Wilson Detention Center

Knox Co., TN, Awards Black Creek the Project to Upgrade the Integrated Security Control System at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Center

February 1, 2022 – 

Knox County, TN, has selected Black Creek Integrated Systems Corp. to modernize the electronic security control system at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Center (RDWDC, formerly the Penal Farm) in Knoxville. RDWDC, a medium-security facility operational since 1994 with a rated capacity of 1,036 detainees, is managed by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and houses individuals both awaiting legal proceedings and those who have been sentenced. Black Creek originally deployed the facility’s touchscreen-based security system in 1994 and has since completed multiple enhancement projects at RDWDC.

This latest upgrade follows requirements outlined in the County's official Request for Proposals, issued via the Procurement Division. The project will bring all security control hardware and software up to current standards, including the deployment of the latest Windows® Operating System. As part of the modernization, the outdated Vicon Video Management System will be replaced with a new Genetec Digital Video Recording & Management System (VRMS), along with Bosch encoders to enable a phased replacement of analog cameras with advanced high-definition IP cameras. This approach will minimize operational disruptions throughout the facility.

All current touchscreen computers will be replaced by new Black Creek Super Display® touchscreen workstations equipped with modern control software and operating systems. New monitors, supplied by Knox County (with exceptions for certain workstations), will be installed where required. To ensure future maintainability, the system’s Square-D and 90-30 series Programmable Logic Controllers will be migrated to the GE Automation RX3i Series platform, while existing locking control relays will be retained. Black Creek’s existing contact closure interface for the County’s card access system will remain unchanged. Additionally, operational intercom headend equipment, intercom master stations, and utility relay panels will be retained to optimize cost efficiency, as will existing field devices such as door position switches, locking mechanisms, and intercoms; all will remain fully controlled and annunciated in alignment with current system operations. Should additional cabling be required to support upgraded components, Knox County will provide these materials.

Analog cameras presently in use will remain operational initially, with new infrastructure installed to enable an eventual transition to IP-based technology. Obsolete Vicon encoders will be replaced by Bosch models, and a new server with an iSCSI storage array will be provided. The new Genetec VRMS will offer 24/7 video recording for more than 300 cameras, sufficient license support for the entire camera inventory, and ample storage for higher-resolution footage from IP devices. New POE network switches will facilitate connectivity for future county-supplied cameras. Following the upgrade, Knox County will have the flexibility to replace analog cameras with high-definition IP models as budgets and schedules permit, provided the new devices are compatible with the Genetec VRMS. The County will coordinate the procurement and installation of IP cameras and required cabling.

The enhanced Black Creek system will significantly advance staff and visitor safety through expanded capabilities not available in the previous system. Each Super Display® Touchscreen workstation incorporates dual LCD monitors to provide comprehensive security control and instant CCTV access for superior situational awareness. Facility personnel will benefit from intuitive utilities management, camera selection, and more efficient operation overall. This upgrade is designed to streamline security management, lower maintenance costs, and enhance operational effectiveness at RDWDC.

Black Creek Integrated Systems Corp. is a national leader in correctional and public safety technology. Exclusively focused on the needs of jails, prisons, courthouses, and public safety agencies, Black Creek has redefined how security is managed in these critical facilities. Through innovative product development and seamless system integration, we deliver fully integrated, touchscreen-based security control systems and advanced software solutions designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance safety, and reduce the cost of corrections. With decades of experience and a singular focus on public safety, Black Creek is a turnkey provider of the most advanced security and facility management systems available — trusted by agencies across the country to modernize and secure their operations. Learn more about Black Creek.