Contraband

Taking contraband control seriously saves lives; here's what COs should be on the lookout for

Columnist Gary York uses his experience as both a CO and a prison inspector to answer the age-old question

Because contraband cell phones played such a major role in the 2018 Lee Correctional riot, SCDC knew they had to up their investigative game

The ingenuity, or serious lack thereof, is astounding

The proper handling and documenting of contraband evidence is important for investigative purposes

A corrupt officer has a price! An honest officer has integrity

Corrections officers need a mix of technology, trained personnel and data sharing to dismantle criminal networks and activities within their facilities

Inmates are adept at turning whatever materials are at hand into improvised weapons – the ongoing challenge for corrections officials is to detect these weapons

The creativity behind contraband smuggling is endless so it is imperative that correctional officials stay abreast with what inmates are conspiring

Technology acts as a force multiplier to help investigators keep tabs on arrivals and expose potential conflicts

From Rice Krispies treats to lettuce, contraband hiding places never fail to surprise

Extraction and analytics technologies are helping corrections facilities access contraband cellphone data to stop crimes inside and outside prison walls

Maintaining security and safety is more than installing a product and collecting data

A powerful digital tool detects illegal three-way calls, and automatically sends email alerts to authorities when they occur