Setting up security checkpoints with metal detectors

[sugarskull]

I originally had metal detectors right outside the doors of the workshop and canteen, but it seemed like quite a few prisoners were able to somehow slip through the crack between the metal detector and the side of the door (no white flash). Not to mention the ones who did get marked for search (red flash) would run all the way back to their cells and stash stuff before the guards would catch them and search them.

So in order to stem the tide of contraband flowing from the workshop and canteen back to my cell block, I set up this security checkpoint (see screenshot). However, when I place two metal detectors next to each other, no matter which way I try to rotate them there is a huge gap between them. Is there any way to fix this? When I watch prisoners go through, some of them don't get a white flash, which indicates to me some are still getting through without a scan.

The system is still pretty effective, though. The two gate system with a stationed guard usually keeps the prisoners who are flagged for a search from getting far.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=175188049

[[DSN] EXET]

Great stuff!!! :-)

[sugarskull]

Originally posted by DSN EXET:

Great stuff!!! :-)

Thanks! Do you have any suggestions on how to fix the gap between detectors? I think some prisoners are able to sneak through. Could be intended, I guess it would be overpowered if it was 100% effective...

[[DSN] EXET]

I don't think you can close that gap. But I really like your system there. I will incorporate that into my prisons too! ;-)

[Wasted]

snip snip

edit: never mind i just checked my prison again and have similar gaps. I got bad visual memory :s

[jztemple]

I've used side by side metal dectectors and I don't think that the visual gap makes any difference; I've had prisoners go through a single metal dectector in a single doorway and sometimes they don't get the white flash either.

You could build a sample prison to test this; put the dual metal detectors on the canteen and do searches after each meal. I seem to recall, but I can't say for sure, that the developer mentioned that the detectors are never 100% effective. I currently have a large prison with lots and lots of detectors, but some utensils still show up in my random searches which should have been caught when the prisoners left the canteen.

[sugarskull]

Originally posted by Wasted:

seems like they try to allign with the wall? what happens when you place fences around them instead?

In my prison I have 2 scanners right outside of the canteen door with a fence on either side and they do not show that gap you have there.

Hi Wasted, I originally built it with fences and the same gap occurred and didn't look as nice because the fences are very narrow. I think you are right about the aligning with walls, though.

In this screenshot, I'm testing out some different layouts. The two detectors above the door do not have a wall around them, and do not have the gap between them. However, some prisoners appeared to slip out diagonally without going through the detectors.

I tried placing two more outside and there was not a gap between them, but there was still a gap between the door and the detectors for prisoners to slip out diagonally. So when I added the little wall (doesn't seem to matter if it is a fence or wall) to try and eliminate that gap, the detector moved to touch the wall, and made a gap between them instead! /facepalm

TL;DR: I guess there is just no getting rid of a gap when placing detectors. Could just be a visual thing anyway and I'll hope they fix it later. :-)

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=175224138

[CorpseShoulder]

I think the gap or <100% detection rate is by design, just like the flase positives. I have liked the new system of searching their cell when they are found with anything on them. Turns up quite a bit.

[sugarskull]

Ok, I've just been playing around and experimenting with the rotation of detectors. I expanded the security checkpoint from my original post (see screenshot below). This is a serious overkill on the security :-P But notice how some of the metal detectors appear to be halfway inside the walls depending on the orientation when they are placed. Just weird!

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=175244330

[Sol4rSky]

Try using walls to design 1 way routes, so basically the metal detector will be in the square surrounded by walls, that way you'll know for sure,.

What you can do is remove the metal detector on the left and place a BRICK WALL having only the right one left and it being the only way to pass by. Might look ugly but for now..

[Stakker.]

I have an area with 2 detectors in a one row hall. One detector in each end.and a patrolling guard between them. Seems to get alot of red alerts, as he runs around nonstop. He is also about 10 pounds lighter than the other guards atm =)

[Proteus]

I have something similar ...
my big entry building houses canteen, workshops and visitation area ...
it is enclosed with a fence and a single airlock system with metal detectors.
This way all prisoner traffic is gated through this entrance and suspects can be searched with a minimal effort in manpower

[Cpt. Richard Chaser]

Rotation, rotation, rotation!

[fendarin]

Detectors are very good, you just need to trust them...
Here's what I found.
a detector or two on either/both sides of a door, makes for an extremely good checkpoint.
However, placing any walls, on the side of the arch (detector) provides the gap that prisoners slip through, since the detectors tend to off-set in downward or sideways fashion.
Public screenshot in my profile. Check it out, for clarity

[Proteus]

I for my part use a system of 2 security checkpoints ...
one from the entrance area (which houses canteen, workshops and visitaion room) to the inner prison area ... and another checkpoint from the inner prison area to each cell double block (with 2 blocks of 16 cells each).
This way contraband that isn´t detected by the first checkpoint has a good chance to be detected by the 2nd one

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=184054427

(here in a later stage where there are multiple doubleblock-complexes:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=184707645 )

[jamesc70]

There is no gap.

You are seeing a visual gap from strange placement, but there isn't a gap in the mechanics.

Just like dogs sometimes sniffing at the ground and nothing is there, sometimes prisoners will get through metal detectors undetected. Not sure if the lack of a flash is a clue, or it simply doesn't render sometimes, but the prisoners are not 'slipping around it'.