The COVID-19 pandemic brought numerous unexpected changes to life as we know it. Many people lost their jobs or transitioned to remote employment, while those in school adjusted to a new way of learning without in-person interactions with peers and teachers. From grocery shopping routines to socializing, most people experienced at least some notable change in 2020.
Many correctional facilities also saw a new trend emerging among inmates during this time – one that wasn’t expected and presented a new challenge to overcome. Despite completely shutting down visitation to limit the spread of the virus, inmates smuggled in just as much contraband, if not more. The Washington Post reported that nationwide suspected inmate overdoses grew by 18% in March 2020, and by May of the same year, had increased by 42%.
A deeper look at the prison system in Texas specifically revealed that inmates were increasingly written up for drug possession and cited facility employees as the source of narcotics. Noting that a lack of adequate staffing and restricted security protocols were to blame, many facilities in the state shifted to other methods to try to stem the tide of contraband.
For some, limiting incoming mail and introducing regular searches using drug-sniffing dogs helped. However, many inmates still found other creative ways to bring drugs and other items into the hands of others behind prison walls. After all, when those charged with preventing contraband are the very ones who are supplying it, such measures could only be so effective.
Traditional screening includes limitations
Global pandemic or not, correctional facilities have long used a certain set of screening equipment and guidelines to ensure officers are not bringing contraband with them. In most jails and prisons, walk-through metal detectors are the norm, as they will pick up items like cell phones or potential metallic threats.
While these devices do help to prevent illicit metallic items from reaching inmates’ hands, they are incapable of detecting narcotics or improvised non-metallic weapons. When officers are in a rush due to short staffing or simply not screening their colleagues thoroughly enough, the consequences can be deadly.
Although numerous correctional facilities find workers and staff members to be the source of drugs and other types of contraband, family members and even lawyers have also been found guilty of smuggling such items during visitation. These individuals are also often screened using only metal detectors and may still be able to conceal contraband from workers’ eyes.
Consistency in screening is key
Correctional officers actively attempting to help inmates and visitors smuggle contraband are only part of the problem, as inattentiveness can run rampant in such a challenging industry. Whether it’s a distraction, the feeling of being rushed due to short staffing or even the fear of retaliation for “ratting out” a co-worker found with contraband, the task of keeping a facility and its inmates secure is often too large to rely only on staff members.
“When a worker is screening a fellow worker, you can get complacency,” said Darren McCarthy, technical marketing manager at Rohde & Schwarz. “You need to have a consistent technology with automatic detection that supports or replaces human judgment and minimizes employee decision-making in the equation.”
To alleviate the human element, many jails and prisons are turning to Rohde & Schwarz for safe, secure millimeter wave screening systems that automatically detect drugs, weapons and other illicit items without sacrificing an individual’s privacy.
Respectful screening that works
Replacing traditional metal detectors are millimeter wave scanners – systems that offer superior detection without relying solely on operator judgment. Unlike X-ray machines, which use ionizing radiation, millimeter wave scanners operate using low-power radio waves that reflect off the body. These waves don’t pass through skin, but they’re highly effective at revealing hidden objects – regardless of whether they’re made of metal, plastic, paper, fabric or other (e.g., organic) materials.
Many correctional facilities across the country and abroad have implemented the QPS, manufactured by Rohde & Schwarz. What distinguishes the QPS from other systems is its combination of ultra-fine resolution and intelligent, automated threat detection. Powered by AI and deep learning, the scanner can identify extremely small items – even those deliberately hidden and crafted to avoid detection. Beyond the original design intention of the regulated aviation industry, these systems have been trained through AI for several years on the contraband found in the corrections industry.
The QPS is an ideal screening system for correctional workers and staff, as it prioritizes privacy as well. Instead of displaying body scans, the system uses a gender-neutral avatar to indicate the location of any detected object, making it easy to interpret results without relying on human interpretation. This streamlines the process for staff while maintaining the dignity of those being screened. Rohde & Schwarz takes pride in being the inventor of the natural and convenient hands-down screening pose, replacing the previously common hand-up “prisoner pose” known from aviation security.
Rethinking security now and in the future
The pandemic didn’t create the issue of contraband in correctional facilities, but it did expose how deeply embedded the problem has become. With traditional screening methods under strain, many facilities were forced to confront the uncomfortable reality that internal vulnerabilities – particularly among staff – could be just as significant as external threats. This shift in perspective has pushed some institutions to rethink the reliability of longstanding security practices and to recognize that the risks posed by human error or misconduct cannot be addressed through policy alone.
Addressing these challenges requires a broader shift in how facilities approach screening, especially when it involves their employees. Relying less on individual discretion and more on consistent, automated systems can help minimize both intentional breaches and unintentional oversights. By reducing the burden on staff and introducing tools that respect privacy while enhancing security, correctional institutions can better safeguard both their populations and the integrity of their operations.
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