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LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION AND DETECTION NEEDS: PANEL DISCUSSION

NCJ Number
142269
Author(s)
P Arnold
Date Published
Unknown
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The majority of inmates housed under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Prisons are serving sentences for drug- related felonies. However, just because they are incarcerated does not mean they stop committing drug law violations.
Abstract
Drug detection technology helps correctional officials control the flow of contraband drug materials and paraphernalia. Authorities are allowed to search inmates, their personal belongings, their cells, and their workplaces; a telephone monitoring system is used for intelligence purposes; and frequent, random urinalysis is used to test inmates for drug use. Undetected smuggling and possession of drugs within a prison can lead to violence between inmates. Inmates have used unique methods to obtain narcotics; in one case, a prisoner's wife who worked in a clothing factory sewed narcotics into the seams of trousers that were fraudulently ordered by the inmate. In another case, prisoners managed to obtain automatic weapons, ammunition, a communication system, narcotics, and cash that was smuggled in through a Federal government contractor. Another popular smuggling route is through family member visits.