Confinement-cell window attachment

A confinement-cell window attachment for use at a cell in cooperation with a cell window, comprising:

• (a) a frame enclosure adapted for use with said cell window;
• (b) means for securing said frame enclosure when said frame enclosure is disposed proximate to said cell window;
• (c) means for providing a two-way mirror secured to said frame enclosure and when said frame enclosure is disposed proximate to said cell window, said two-way mirror disposed in parallel planar alignment with respect to said cell window and adapted to permit viewing through said two-way mirror when viewed from the outside of said cell and adapted to prevent viewing through said two-way mirror when viewed from the inside of said cell;
• (d) means for attenuating light disposed in said frame structure and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said two-way mirror and disposed a predetermined distance from said two-way mirror;
• and
• (e) means for viewing into said cell wherein said means for viewing includes a viewing lens disposed in an opening through said means for attenuating light.

A method for viewing an inmate in a cell, which comprises:

• (a) placing a confinement-cell window attachment over a cell window, said window attachment having a two-way mirror proximate said cell window, said two-way mirror being disposed in parallel planar alignment with respect to said cell window and an opaque layer disposed in a frame structure of said window attachment and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said two-way mirror and wherein said opaque layer is disposed a predetermined distance from said two-way mirror and a lens is disposed through said opaque layer for viewing through said two-way mirror and into said cell;
• (b) securing said window attachment proximate to said cell window;
• and
• (c) looking through said lens.

A method for viewing an inmate in a cell, which comprises:

• (a) placing a confinement-cell window attachment over a cell window, said window attachment having a two-way mirror proximate said cell window, said two-way mirror being disposed in parallel planar alignment with respect to said cell window and an opaque layer disposed in a frame structure of said window attachment and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said two-way mirror and wherein said opaque layer is disposed a predetermined distance from said two-way mirror and a video camera that includes a lens attached to said window attachment and wherein said lens is disposed for viewing through an opening in said opaque layer and through said two-way mirror and into said cell;
• (b) displaying an image as perceived by said video camera;
• (c) securing said window attachment proximate said cell window;
• and
• (d) looking at said image.

A method of making a window attachment for monitoring a confinement area, which comprises:

• (a) providing a frame structure;
• (b) placing a two-way mirror in said frame structure, said two-way mirror being disposed in parallel planar alignment with respect to said frame structure;
• (c) placing means for attenuating light in said frame structure proximate said two-way mirror and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said frame structure mirror wherein said means for attenuating includes placing a substantially opaque sheet of material a predetermined distance from said two-way mirror;
• and
• (d) placing means for viewing into said confinement area on said window attachment for viewing through said two-way mirror and through said opaque sheet and wherein said means for viewing includes a lens that is disposed in an opening in said opaque material.