HELENA, MT - The state Corrections Department is testing a new communications system. It's intended to notify dozens of upper-level officials within minutes, if there's an escape or other serious problem.

Invizeon Corporation developed the system to inform government officials through phone calls and e-mails, when problems occur. In the past, staff at a command post placed individual phone calls, to top corrections officials and key governor's staff.

Doing it that way could take hours. Invizeon says the new system can provide notification within minutes.

The Corrections Department has been testing the system for about six weeks, and plans more tests, before deciding whether to buy.

Invizeon says the price depends on how the system is configured.