The Butler County Prison is looking into updating its tactical equipment.

Warden Joe DeMore said at Tuesday’s prison board meeting that the prison’s CERT equipment is antiquated and he is looking at pricing for replacement now.

He said the basic equipment — which includes helmets, vests, and arm and leg pads — are the things mostly needed.

“That’s the stuff I’m really concerned with,” DeMore said.

He said the vests could cost $1,200 each, and the helmets could run $350 each.

The prison has 25 people on its CERT team.

DeMore said he did not think replacing all of the equipment right away was realistic, but said he would like to see six new sets of gear to outfit one 6-person CERT team.

CERT team members are used for extraction, which is the process of forcibly removing uncooperative inmates from their cells, and for riots or other incidents taking place on pods at the prison. In the case of a riot-like situation, DeMore said the prison would send in 12 CERT team members, who would divide up into two 6-person teams.

DeMore said the new equipment could last 10 years.

Sheriff Mike Slupe, who sits on the prison board, said upgrading the equipment is a great idea, saying that correctional officers need special gear for dealing with violent inmates, and said it is important that the equipment be adequate to protect officers.

DeMore said he will draft information on the costs and equipment for September’s prison board meeting.