I.R.I.S.™ Biometric Identification Technology:
Strengthening Identity Verification and Jail Operations
How Sheriff’s Offices can add iris biometrics to booking and release with no upfront equipment cost.
Most jails know the problem. Someone gives a false name, books in under an alias, or turns out to have been booked before under a different identity. When staff can’t confidently verify who they have in custody, booking records, housing decisions, and release paperwork can all be affected.
BI2 Technologies is making its Inmate Recognition & Identification System (I.R.I.S.™) available to Sheriff’s Offices and detention facilities through available federal funding. Agencies can put iris biometric identification to work without paying for the equipment up front, submitting a grant application, or entering into a long-term contract.
What Is I.R.I.S.™ ?
I.R.I.S.™ identifies inmates and offenders using the unique patterns in the iris, the colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil. Each person’s iris has distinctive patterns that remain stable throughout life and no two people have the same iris.
At booking, a specialized high-speed camera quickly captures images of both eyes in a matter of seconds. The process is contactless, uses infrared technology, and requires no lasers. The system analyzes more than 235 unique characteristics within each iris and converts them into a secure mathematical biometric template.
That template is instantly compared against the national I.R.I.S.™ network, helping law enforcement identify individuals, uncover aliases, and access prior booking information from jurisdictions across the country in seconds. The network is securely hosted at Nlets, the trusted national information-sharing infrastructure that has connected law enforcement agencies for more than 50 years, providing the security, reliability, and nationwide reach essential to modern criminal justice operations.
Through over 20 years of use, jail administrators have relied on and processed more than 5.2 million offenders without a mistaken release due to bad identification and have identified more than 105,000 offenders across multiple jurisdictions. To date, more than 700 Sheriffs across the U.S. are already using the system.
How I.R.I.S.™ Works in Daily Jail Operations
The system works best when it’s built into standard procedure rather than treated as an optional extra. Consistent use at booking and release, along with proper training and supervision, helps agencies get the most out of the I.R.I.S. technology.
- At booking: Staff capture the iris images and search for prior enrollments. A match can help identify an alias, a previous booking, or inconsistencies in the individual’s biographical information. Eligible individuals can then be enrolled so their identity can be checked again in the future.
- During incarceration: Staff can use I.R.I.S.™ for additional in-custody identity verification and to check existing enrollments across participating jurisdictions.
- Before release: An additional scan helps confirm that the person being released is the same individual who was enrolled at booking. This is an important step in reducing the risk of mistaken releases and should be included in the facility’s release procedures.
- Policy, training, and supervision: Agencies should define when and where staff are expected to use the system and include scans in their booking and release checklists. Personnel should be trained on every applicable shift, and the camera and laptop should remain accessible, connected, and ready for use. Supervisors play an important role in reinforcing consistent use and addressing any workflow issues.
I.R.I.S.™ can operate independently without a connection to an agency’s Jail Management System (JMS), while preserving the option for future integration as an agency’s needs evolve. Sheriff’s Offices can also make I.R.I.S.™ systems available to local police departments within their counties, expanding identification and information sharing among local law enforcement partners.
What Does It Cost?
- No upfront equipment cost
- No grant application
- No contract or multi-year commitment
- Installation assistance from BI2 Technologies
- 24/7 technical support
After the first year, the annual I.R.I.S.™ license and maintenance fee is $1,570. Agencies are under no obligation to continue if they decide the system isn’t providing sufficient value. In addition, MORIS™ mobile licenses remain available at no cost, with no annual license or maintenance fee. Agencies retain ownership of their data and BI2 guarantees that that data will never be sold or shared with third parties. Before participating, agencies should review the program terms, funding arrangements, ongoing costs, technology requirements, and applicable data-sharing provisions. As with any identification technology, it’s important to understand how the system fits within your agency’s policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
Getting Started?
Detention facilities interested in exploring I.R.I.S.™ and the available funding opportunity can access the following resources directly through BI2 Technologies:
Request an I.R.I.S.™ System: Complete the I.R.I.S.™ Request Form
Request an Operational Briefing: Schedule an I.R.I.S.™ Operational Briefing
Access Training Documents and Videos: View I.R.I.S.™ Training Resources
For questions regarding equipment, implementation, licensing, or technical support, contact:
BI2 Technologies
Call (508) 224-1600 or email BI2 Technologies.
An Additional Tool for Safer, More Effective Jail Operations
Accurate identification is an essential component of effective correctional operations. The I.R.I.S.™ technology provides agencies with an additional resource to strengthen identity verification, improve operational consistency, and reduce preventable risks associated with mistaken identity.
As with any technology implemented within a correctional facility, its effectiveness depends on appropriate policies, staff training, consistent use, and agency oversight.
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes. NIJO does not administer the I.R.I.S.™ funding opportunity. Program availability, eligibility, costs, and participation requirements should be confirmed directly with BI2 Technologies.
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