Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — State lawmakers are debating whether to limit strip searches and body-cavity searches of Rhode Island prison inmates.
A bill under consideration would require prison guards to have “reasonable suspicion” to strip-search an inmate, instead of just speculation or a hunch. An officer also would need to get a supervisor’s written approval to conduct a strip search.
The legislation also would require prison officials to obtain a search warrant for body cavity searches, which would be performed by doctors.
The Providence Journal reports that the state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union backs the bill because it says standards are needed for such intrusive searches.
Prison officials say they already comply with the bill’s rules on body-cavity searches, but they say the strip search rules would be too burdensome.
Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.providencejournal.com