Kittitas County Jail first in WA to implement new inmate health monitoring system

KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. — The Kittitas County Jail (KCJ) has become the first facility in the state of Washington to implement the OverWatch™ system, an innovative inmate health monitoring solution.

"We are committed to maintaining the highest safety and security standards for everyone in our custody. Implementing the OverWatch system is a significant step toward enhancing these standards," Sheriff Clay Myers said.

The OverWatch system enables remote, real-time monitoring of critical inmate health metrics and alerts KCJ staff to potential threats and medical emergencies while promoting prompt intervention if anything happens to an inmate. Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) said the technology is designed to be instrumental in preventing incidents before they escalate, ensuring inmates' and staff's ongoing safety and well-being.

"We look forward to working with the KCSO to integrate the OverWatch system into their operations,” said David Sanders, Chief Operating Officer of 4Sight Labs, the company behind the OverWatch system.

Jails and prisons in Washington state have experienced 12 in-custody deaths so far in 2024 and 24 in 2023. The KCJ has had no recent in-custody deaths and the facility plans to keep it that way with the implementation of the OverWatch system remains committed to continuous improvement and prevention.

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“Our technology is designed to enhance situational awareness and enable rapid response, ultimately improving facility security," Sanders said.

KCSO said sensors can be distributed to inmates during the critical jail intake period when the greatest risks to an inmate’s health often emerge.

Since Kittitas County is serving as the pilot program for this technology in Washington State, they will be fully reimbursed for OverWatch program start-up costs by Washington Counties Risk Pool, an association that insures and helps manage risk and liability for 24 county governments in the state.