Associated Press - July 29, 2009 4:44 PM ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - An Arkansas prison spokeswoman says the agency plans to roll out fingerprint scanners at all its facilities for guards and other employees to check in and out.

Spokeswoman Dina Tyler says the scanners already sit at some facilities and are used for those visiting inmates there. Tyler says the department will begin scanning workers at the state's Cummins Unit first, followed by other prisons.

Tyler says officials also are looking at placing radio tags in workers' identification badges. That would allow a scanner to pick up the tag's frequency, offering correction officers another safeguard.

The move comes after the high-profile escape of 2 convicted murderers in guard uniforms, as well as an inmate's near-death and other problems.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.