Thinkstream, Inc. wins contract to replace, modernize criminal history system for Louisiana
Baton Rouge, LA, January 20, 2009 – Thinkstream Inc. announced this week it has been awarded a contract by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections to replace the agency’s Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system with a highly advanced version that will provide more effective and efficient information sharing across all criminal justice and public safety organizations through access to the State Police and the Louisiana Civil and Criminal Information or LACCIE Network.
The LACCIE network, developed and implemented in partnership with Baton Rouge-based Thinkstream, supports over 350 criminal justice databases at the state, local and federal levels and is accessed by over 600 agencies and 12,000 users across the nation.
“Whereas the present system provided an arrest record containing a brief summary, our solution will offer a wealth of new data and records gained from access to the hundreds of justice agencies connected to LACCIE,” Thinkstream President and CEO Barry Bellue said.
The state-of-the-art search/report system more effectively cross-matches fingerprints and criminal histories; includes mug shots; searches multiple state and national criminal justice databases; and allows instantaneous updating of criminal justice information systems, he said.
The CCH replacement is one of several top priorities for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety in its effort to enhance and modernize its data system. The agency chose Thinkstream, Inc. because the company provided the best solution to replace the system by leveraging their deep knowledge and proven success in the industry, Bellue said.
“Our prior success in building the largest network in the country speaks for itself and offers Louisiana’s DPS an immeasurable amount of value by giving the agency direct access to local agencies data and the most comprehensive criminal justice database in the nation,” he said.
Louisiana’s CCH system is the state’s main repository for criminal justice data relating to arrests, prosecutions, convictions and incarceration. Though the system was adequate, it was outdated and made responding to changes in the law and high volume demands from the law enforcement community difficult, Bellue said.
The overall goal of the project is to replace the existing mainframe with a system that allows the integration with current information platforms in order to compile the most accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive criminal justice data and make it accessible to all criminal justice agencies. In addition to accessibility, the completed project will improve maintainability, timeliness and other features of the CCH system, he said.
“The accurate dissemination of criminal history to agencies in the justice system is critical in maintaining public and law enforcement safety,” Bellue said. “We’re excited to help LDPS in their effort to do this and at the same time deliver operational cost savings, “ he said.
Thinkstream, a leader nationwide in the development of criminal justice technology, is partnering with Oracle, Motorola, and Dell to develop the new system. The company will use Oracle’s Fusion Suite, a comprehensive integrated middleware platform and technology that provides a web-based user interface and will team with Motorola to provide a standardized booking interface between the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IFIS) and the local Jail Management Systems (JMS). This will create an automated workflow and update arrest records to the core CCH once a person is booked in a local RMS, eliminating the need to enter redundant booking information and increase efficiency, Bellue said.
One of the advantages the company brings to the project is the Thinkstream NCIC/NLETS Switch Client, a solution that connects integrated criminal justice networks with law enforcement message switches and allows officers the ability to search criminal records stored in the FBI’s National Crime Information Center’s (NCIC) and National Law Enforcement Communication System (NLET) databases as well as access to the LACCIE Network.
In addition, Thinkstream already provides and supports the Louisiana State Police’s Law Enforcement Message Switch (LEMS) which allows web access to state criminal histories, hot files and mug shots in FBI databases and national records supported by NCIC and NLETS. The information (i.e. - criminal histories and background, fugitives, stolen properties, missing persons) assist law enforcement in apprehending fugitives, locating missing persons, locating and returning stolen property, as well as in the protection of officers who encounter the individuals described in the system.
“Our nation’s public safety and criminal justice organizations continue to face challenges when trying to share and access information – this is another example of Louisiana taking bold, decisive measures to address these concerns,” Bellue said.
“This system will offer comprehensive, well-formatted reports and will provide great benefits to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies that need fast and accurate access to criminal justice information,” he said.
About Thinkstream
Thinkstream Inc., a leading software development company based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, specializes in criminal justice applications that tie agencies together securely giving them the ability to rapidly share critical information across organizational, agency and geographic boundaries. The company has linked over 150 agencies in eight regions of the state of Louisiana, making it the largest civil and criminal information network in the nation. The company also operates systems in California, Florida and Texas.
CEO Barry Bellue, who also founded Fifth Generation Systems, a national top 20 software company acquired by Symantec, established Thinkstream over ten years ago. Mr. Bellue heads a team of engineers with over 60 years combined experience in designing Web-based integrated information networks for businesses and criminal justice agencies across the nation.
Thinkstream Inc. is an active member of the Internet Working Group for Justice Integration Committee. Established by the U.S. Department of Justice, committee members contribute their knowledge and experience to promote and implement integrated information systems (IJIS) throughout the country.
For more information contact:
Barry L. Bellue, Sr.
President and CEO
Thinkstream, Inc.
Email: bbellue@thinkstream.com
Phone: (225) 291-5440
Paul San Soucie
Vice President of Customer Relations
Thinkstream, Inc.
Email: pauls@thinkstream.com
Phone: (225) 291-5440
Fax: (225) 291-9141
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