bars are often fitted Guard placement Rounds: Guards within the facility make rounds checking inmates at set intervals Full-time watch: High-risk inmates are watched non-stop around the clock one-on-one Guard towers: Guards in towers at corners of compound can observe edges of the facility and are often authorized to use deadly force against fleeing escapees Perimeter patrol: A guard in a vehicle circles the compound from the outside, watching for escaping inmates Technology Surveillance cameras allow guards to monitor areas of the compound without being physically present Security lighting provides nighttime visibility of exterior areas, including entrances, exercise yards and perimeter fencing Microwave or buried RF sensors alert security if an inmate nears the fence or has entered a sterile area (protected area, such as the space between a pair of parallel fences, in which inmates are not allowed). Thermal cameras detect heat signatures and can notify guards if an inmate (or other unauthorized person) is present in a restricted area or moving towards the fence Video analytics that detect, track and classify people, objects, and vehicles near the perimeter Alarms, buzzers, or sirens make guards aware if any doors or gates are open, signifying a possible breach Perimeter intrusion detection systems sound an alarm if fences are climbed or cut. Some systems also provide guards with live audio feedback Routine Head counts at set times to ensure the number of inmates in the facility matches the number on record Cell searches to make sure inmates do not have contraband that can be used to aid an escape or commit violence against guards or other inmates Punishment In some jurisdictions, including the United States, escaping from jail or prison is a criminal offense. In Virginia, for instance, the punishment for escape depends on whether the offender escaped by using force or violence or setting fire to the jail, and the seriousness of the offense for which they were imprisoned. In Russia, escaping from prison is an offence that can result in up to four years being added to the inmate's sentence. In Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria and other countries, the philosophy of the law holds that it is human nature to want to escape. In those countries, escapees who do not break any other laws are not charged and no extra time is added to their sentence. Famous historical escapes Helicopter escapes Prisoner of war escapes See also