Inmate Identification: Wristbands vs. ID Cards
The Worth Co. Jail in Northwood, Iowa, has an average daily population ranging between two and five inmates. On quieter days, there may only be one. However, Worth County inmates are different from most small, rural, jails in one respect: they all wear ID wristbands. It’s not because they don’t know who their inmates are. On the contrary, Worth Co. jail staff know their inmates well and adopted wristbands to maintain accurate inmate identification and increase jail safety.
Inmate identification helps correctional facilities of all sizes build safety, security, and compliance. While most jails the size of Worth Co. wouldn’t likely use inmate identification for their populations, jails at some point should consider adopting a form of inmate identification as a visual aid. Wristbands and ID cards can inform jail staff of identity, date of birth, classification level, and other security-critical information.
Wristbands and ID cards are the most common form factors for identifying inmates, but what are the differences between these two ID form factors? Is one better than the other? This blog breaks down wristbands vs. ID cards, the pros and cons of each, and tips for maximizing your inmate identification goals.
Wristbands
Wristbands can be customized to your facility's liking, including choosing and assigning different colors to different inmates. Each inmate's identification wristband is customized to the inmate with their mugshot and any other pertinent information that the facility deems fit.
The two most common wristband types available for offender identification are:
Printed Wristbands: Printable wristbands are a simple form of inmate identification. This type of wristband commonly has a paper-like feel and is frequently made of Tyvek, featuring an adhesive or mechanical closure. Since the offender’s identification is printed directly onto the wristband, printable wristbands do not require a rolling laminator.
Laminated Wristbands: Laminated wristbands are constructed by placing printed information onto a label or sheet of paper that fits within an unlaminated pouch. The wristband is then placed into a protective cardboard sleeve. This protective sleeve goes through a rolling laminator, using heat to seal the identifying information into the wristband itself. The bands can be secured with a metal or plastic fastener.
Which Type of Wristband is More Durable?
The durability of wristbands is dependent on a few factors:
Wristband type: Printed inmate wristbands generally last between three to five weeks with normal wear and tear. However, that time significantly decreases when inmates are more aggressive and determined to deliberately damage or remove their wristbands. When done correctly, laminated wristbands tend to hold up longer compared to printed wristbands.
The type of fastener used: The fastener used is typically either metal or plastic. The metal fasteners can be more durable than those made of plastic. A crimping tool is needed for the metal closures, making it difficult for them to be taken apart by inmates. Although not impossible to remove, using metal fasteners greatly increases wristband longevity. In some jails, inmates will bite on plastic fasteners to break them, then remove their wristbands.
How well it’s laminated (if applicable): Even after lamination, the ends of the band aren’t always fully sealed. There is also a hole punched into the wristband for the rivets that leaves room for water leakage. The bands should be laminated at 325℉. Temperatures too high or too low will cause poor lamination and decreased durability.
Wristbands can last 5 to 7 months when properly laminated and using metal fasteners. When done incorrectly, the wristband is more susceptible to water penetration or inmate tampering.
ID Cards
Another successful method of inmate identification is ID cards, and they are exactly what you imagine. Just like a student’s ID card, or a nurse’s ID card, these cards clip on an inmate’s article of clothing (typically a shirt) so it’s easily visible to read and accessible to scan. Each inmate ID card has its own unique digital fingerprint, ensuring that no inmate can ever be associated with more than one ID card at a time.
When properly taken care of, an ID card can last for years, but it will typically have a useful life of about 12 to 18 months. That is under the assumption that the inmates are responsible for their ID cards or badges. If bent or used inappropriately, they will need to be replaced more frequently.
ID cards are exposed to water much less often than wristbands. For inmates who work in the kitchen, for example, their wristbands are exposed to hot water, making the band wear down more quickly. ID cards, on the other hand, are clipped to the inmate’s uniform, which greatly limits direct moisture contact. This aids in the longevity of the ID card.
The quality of the ID card printer is a significant factor in how long the printed information on ID cards lasts. High-quality printers that laminate the cards will help keep the ink in place and limit premature fading. Low-quality printers may help decrease your budget, but it can result in more time and money for reprints. Do sufficient research on your ID card printer before purchase to get the best value.
Overall, ID cards typically last longer than inmate wristbands, but that requires inmate responsibility. Like wristbands, strong policies and forceful consequences for removing and/or tampering with ID cards will increase the lifespan of each card. Swift consequences for misusing, removing, or damaging an ID card will help increase inmate accountability, and ultimately, prevent or reduce ID card replacement rates.
Transferability and Inmate Identification
Transferability is a huge safety and security concern for any facility. So, which form of inmate identification has the least amount of risk for transferability?
When a wristband is properly secured, it is highly unlikely for the wristband to be transferred from one inmate to another. Tightly applying fasteners, laminating at the correct temperature, and putting them on inmates “handcuff tight” ensures the security of each inmate's wristband. If any of those falls short, there’s a chance for inmates to pass off their band to someone else.
However, ID cards aren’t secured to each inmate, making it theoretically easier for them to be passed between in-custody individuals, or lost entirely. Strongly consider adopting a plastic ID card clip and enforce rules that require inmates to wear their ID cards at all times during waking hours. It should be accessible and presented on the front of their uniform.
To overcome issues of exchanging and losing ID cards, facilities can put strong policies in place that discipline non-complying inmates. Strict, clear policies on the transferring or attempting to transfer IDs can significantly decrease the frequency of misplacing or exchanging between inmates. For example, jails will deny commissary, visitation, and outdoor recreation to inmates who don’t have an ID or were caught exchanging. Clear consequences and loss of privileges encourage inmates to follow the rules.
Compatible Mobile Solutions
Wristbands and ID cards are often used in conjunction with mobile inmate management platforms. The main solutions include:
QR codes/barcodes: Both QR codes and barcodes can be scanned by any device, which is a plus for many agencies with existing mobile solutions. However, they have a heightened risk of transferability as they can be replicated and scanned elsewhere. This is why QR codes and barcodes are the more affordable options of compatible solutions.
RFID: RFID options are more secure and reliable than QR codes/barcodes as they cannot be replicated or scanned from wherever. While these are more costly, they are the widely preferred method for inmate tracking.
While QR codes and barcodes are printed onto the wristband or label insert, RFID requires a physical tag to be inserted into the band to be read by a mobile scanner. So, which solutions are compatible with each form factor?
The printed wristbands are only compatible with QR codes or barcode systems, not RFID. The codes are printed onto the wristbands, along with the other inmate information. Since the wristband isn’t laminated, there isn’t a pouch or opening to insert an RFID tag.
Whereas laminated wristbands are compatible with QR codes, barcodes, and RFID systems. The QR codes and barcodes can be printed directly onto the label insert that is inserted into the band before lamination. The RFID tag can also be placed inside the unlaminated band along with the label insert. Once laminated, both the label and RFID tag are sealed inside.
On the flip side, ID cards are compatible with QR codes, barcodes, and RFID mobile solutions. QR codes and barcodes can be printed directly onto the card along with the other pertinent inmate information. If using an RFID system, a facility will need to purchase ID cards that already have an RFID tag embedded inside.
Tips to Improve Your Success with Wristbands and ID Cards
No inmate identification method is perfect. While neither of these methods will last forever, there are ways to extend the life of your inmate identification method. Here are three tips for improving your success with inmate identification tools:
Maximize the life of your identification tool:
Whether this be laminating a wristband, buying quality, reliable printers, or purchasing durable, metal fasteners, investing in the pieces that help extend the lifespan of your inmate identification method is worth the extra costs.Create strong disciplinary actions: Facilities should consider charging inmates if they are found damaging or tampering with their wristband or ID card. However, monetary consequences alone are not effective. Create and communicate swift consequences for any incident of non-compliance, such as no phone call or commissary for a week.
Confirm sizing: A wristband, for example, should be fairly snug, allowing only one finger between the wristband and the inmate’s skin. It’s not uncommon for inmates to frivolously complain that a wristband is too tight. They’ll ask the staff to loosen it and the staff actually do. But… don’t. If you continue this practice, or if your facility has been too agreeable to these requests, the wristbands become fashion accessories that can slide on and off at will like a bracelet.
So, if you’re asking yourself, which inmate identification method is best for your facility AND inmate population, the truth is, it depends.
You have to assess your own facility's wants and needs for an inmate identification system and align which method to use based on that. Each correctional facility has its requirements and preferences. It is ultimately up to each facility to choose the best form of inmate identification for them. However, for longevity and durability, GUARDIAN RFID recommends ID cards.
Why? Wristbands are more commonly used in county jails than in prisons or juvenile facilities. This is primarily due to the limited useful life of wristbands, which pairs with the average length of time pre-trial adult offenders remain in custody. Pre-trial offenders do not always require long-lasting forms of inmate identification.
ID cards are often the preferred method of inmate identification for sentenced inmates, as well as juvenile detention facilities. They are also frequently adopted by jails when past wristband efforts were unsuccessful, or their inmate identification is influenced by their state’s Department of Corrections’ use of inmate identification.
Deciding the selection between wristbands and ID cards for inmate identification is ultimately up to the agency’s specific needs and goals. Factors such as facility size, inmate turnover, staff turnover, and security concerns should all weigh in the decision-making process. Additionally, integrating compatible mobile solutions like QR codes, barcodes, or RFID technology can enhance facility operations and overall inmate management. While there are no one-size-fits-all options, prioritizing durability, accountability, and compatibility with existing systems can lead to an effective inmate identification strategy.