Associated Press
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont’s Corrections Department is creating new rules to cut down on the amount of drugs and other contraband making their way into Vermont’s seven prisons.
Commissioner Andy Pallito told a legislative committee this week the searches may involve pat-downs and metal detectors but only would go to a full strip search in the case of prisoners.
Pallito says the new policy will apply to prison staff, and is expected to require special bargaining with the Vermont State Employees’ Association, the union representing state workers.
The prisoners’ rights group CURE Vermont has been trying to draw attention to contraband being brought into prisons by staff.
The issue also has been highlighted by charges against two staff members at the New York prison where two convicted murderers escaped this month.