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Q&A
Contraband prevention measures in DOC facilities
3:45:23
ยท
101 sec
Council Member Stevens inquires about the Department of Correction's efforts to prevent staff from bringing contraband into facilities. Commissioner Maginley-Liddie outlines various measures implemented to address this issue.
- Staff undergo magnetometer and body scanner checks upon entry
- Special Investigations Unit conducts surveillance throughout facilities
- Multiple entry points for contraband are monitored, including mail and visits
- Policies implemented after 2022 opioid overdoses are still in place
- Canine units and SIU teams are deployed to identify contraband
Althea Stevens
3:45:23
Well you're not aware.
3:45:26
So we're gonna move on to contraband.
3:45:28
Commissioner you have said that department does not tolerate misconduct by its employees.
3:45:33
In the last year, multiple Rackers Island Staff have pled guilty to bringing contraband into the facility.
3:45:39
What changes or policies has the department implemented to prevent staff from bringing contraband into the facility?
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie
3:45:47
So the question about what we're doing overall, I mean this is overall safety for everyone working and living in our facilities.
3:45:58
So when staff enter the entrances throughout our jails, they go through the magnometer and there is also a body scanner that they go through if it's randomized and they're identified to go through that.
3:46:13
In addition, we have our special investigations unit.
3:46:17
They're constantly surveilling throughout the facilities to ensure that contraband does not come in.
3:46:22
And there are many entry points for contraband coming in which includes mail visits.
3:46:27
All of those things that we're taking sort of a holistic look at to ensure that contraband is not entering our facilities.
Althea Stevens
3:46:35
After several detainees from died from opioid overdose in 2022, former Commissioner Milano announced the officers would inspect vehicles and mail entering the island.
3:46:47
Are those policies still in place?
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie
3:46:49
We are expecting mail.
3:46:51
We're expecting all entry points throughout the island.
3:46:53
We have canine.
3:46:55
We have our SIU team.
3:46:57
Everyone's deployed.
3:46:58
We are working to identify any contraband coming into the facilities from any multiple ways that they it can come in.