Foundations

I have lived in a heavily wooded area for nearly 2 decades now. I had no idea that I would eventually be able to identify a bobcat by sound. Still, I am no expert tracker. I do not read the signs of nature such as paw prints or broken twigs as well as others.

Inside of a prison is a different story. There is human psychology behind each movement and action. Some of it is unintentional. Other times, a clue is left as a ruse.

Recently, I noticed something that gave me reason to consider signs. There was a recent upswing of interest in a particular section of the library. That interest had not been there before. Suddenly, there were three or four prisoners gather around the section of shelves. Invariably, one of the prisoners crouched and looked at the right side of the middle shelf. Why the sudden interest?

Four different ideas occur to me.

Valid interests – Perhaps a news story or newly released movie sparked interest in the subject area on the library shelf. I had seen the rise and fantasy books with each Lord of the Rings movie that came out in the early part of last decade. The congregation around a specific area of interest is possible given media attention.

Social – Maybe the area of congregation just happened to be where a social group got together to exchange salutations. It was certainly not disruptive. So I just watched and pondered the possibilities.

Diversion – It is possible that these prisoners (in collusion with others) got together to focus my attention towards them rather than at another place in the room. While looking at the West end of the room, something could’ve been happening at the East hallway. Using ceiling mirrors and direct observation, I saw nothing out the ordinary.

Blocking – The last possibility that occurred to me is that something was going on in the area where the prisoners were gathered. I saw no weapons. There did not appear to be any sexual activity. The facial expressions did not look to tense. Yet it seemed to me for some reason that something was going on. The feeling had no immediate justifications.

I waited until the library was clear of prisoners and searched the shelf. I discovered a metal piece of shelf measuring 2″ x 1″. It was moved away from the wall a bit, like a little tab. In other words, someone was trying to work the metal. True, a 1″ x 2″ rectangle of metal might seem like a small threat. Still, I imagined it affixed to a melted toothbrush handle. When done correctly, that would be a formidable weapon.

In a way, I was missing the forest for the trees. While I thoroughly searched the books, I forgot about the shelves themselves. It was only by accident I found the metal, as it was in a hard place to see.

Ultimately, this gave me another place to look during routine searches. As a postscript, the metal was adhered to the wall with a rivet. Now I see the signs of who might continue to frequent the area and what their facial expressions may be.

I know the growth patterns of trees and altered flight paths of birds can possibly mean something. I do not know what these events mean however. I’m aware that with nature, there’s no intentional deception. But when we read the signs in human action and interacting there may be a ruse.

joebouchard Contraband Control

Later this year, I will be publishing Icebreakers III. This is the 3rd in a series of corrections training books that I have written. Icebreakers III is produced and distributed by The International Association of Correctional Training Personnel (IACTP – www.iactp.org). Here is one of the classroom exercises that will be featured.

I believe that training in hands-on contraband control is essential for the safety of staff, offenders and the public. If time, space, and expense were no object, I would like to see this contraband search exercise implemented at as many correctional facilities as possible. It is called, “This is only a test”. It is a practical, hands-on learning exhibit for lessening contraband.

I know that the idea of a using a cell like structure for instruction is not strictly original. I believe that many worksites and academies employ training cells in some form or another. I imagine that the chief uses of trainer cells would be for extraction and slot safety. But I wonder just how fully utilize these trainer cells are for contraband control exercises.

Here’s how “This is only a test” works. In the training area of each facility, there’ll be built one each of the cell types used in the institution. In other words, if the facility in question has a segregation cell and minimum-security parts, each will be available as trainer cells in the training area. Optimally, these training cells are located outside the secure perimeter for user training and demonstration.

This will all staff to find the many hiding places that offenders may utilize. They would serve as a useful tool to instruct pre-professionals of many different contraband concealment methods that one can find within the prisoner’s area of control. The trainer cell also serves to hone the skills of experienced professionals.

Also, these trainer cells shall not house offenders. Trainer cells shall be stocked with goods and furniture that simulate a prisoner’s presence and should be as realistic as possible.

The institutional training officer can place any contraband item in its hiding places prior to each search exercise. Of course, we all have different perspectives. Therefore, it is wise to get other staff to help conceal the bootleg. And it is best to rotate staff in and out of that position in order to offer as many hiding scenarios as possible.

Whatever the hiding procedure, each training officer should note the nature and location of each item hidden. And in much the same way as a teacher will assess which questions are answered incorrectly; the trainer can determine which locations are typically left unsearched. This information will indicate points to be emphasized in future training.

In addition, the trainer cells can be used for emergency response team members. This is an excellent way to simulate cell rushes.

Lastly, a trainer cell is a good demonstration for members of the public that made tour the facility. This would give a pretty good idea of the physical conditions in which offenders are housed. Liability is lessened in this case. Granted, I believe that criminal justice students and pre-professionals should also witness and experience the inside of a facility in order to gain understanding of what goes on. But in many cases, members of the public who tour prisons would be able to gain enough of an understanding in a trainer cell.

Wouldn’t it be great if good ideas could be implemented immediately? However, brainstorms must be filtered through institutional needs, resources, space, and time. Still, one can dream. Just because an idea cannot be immediately put into play does not render it perpetually shelved. And creative thoughts are often modified and brought into every day practice, given time.

I believe that training in hands-on contraband control is essential for the safety of staff, offenders, and the public. The construction expense and vocational payroll to run such an exercise is an investment in a safer future.

joebouchard Contraband Control, Security, Training

Some corrections professionals make a career out of studying the delivery, trade and elimination of contraband. Over the course of one’s vocational life, one can see many different foci, methods, and delivery systems of illegal goods within a correctional facility.

Some would wonder if studying contraband control is an exercise in futility. They may reason that contraband is like the weather. It happens and there is nothing we can do about it. Certainly, one can prepare for a hurricane. However, one cannot do a thing about the storm’s arrival. The inevitability of contraband in a corrections setting – just like that of the storm occurring in nature – cannot be averted.

I do not believe that entirely. I concede that where there’s a will there’s a way. Contraband trade is as old as confinement. That does not mean that we give up on trying to slow the flow just because finds are few and far between at times. I believe that a good professional stance is to mitigate contraband flow in order to secure safety. Realistically, we will never halt it – but we can enhance safety by putting a dent in trade. That is not pessimism. It is realism.

Still, some questions arise, though they are really the same questions asked in different ways. When do you stop studying contraband and it impact? How long are you supposed to wait until you stop gathering data for bootleg delivery and trade? What is the end date for devising manners in which to control illicit trade?

The correct answer is you can never finish learning about contraband trade and how to mitigate it. Granted, given a steep learning curve and diligent study in a matter of a couple years, one can learn almost all one will learn in a career about contraband control. But the field is too big. One simply can never earn learn it all.

Here are some reasons to continue searching for and learning about contraband:

Think about innovations. Consider the now-ubiquitous cell phone. Some people currently working began employment in a time where cell phones were large and (by all intents and purposes) useless. Now they are micro computers with filming and voice recoding abilities. And those are just the auxiliary functions.

Nothing stands still. Innovations keep us on our toes. As expensive novelties turn into inexpensive necessities on the street, they tend to find their way inside our lock ups. Inside, they are assigned a variety of utilities. Often, these utilities are not intended by the designers and manufactures.

Though I don’t know the source, I heard once that they considered closing the US Patent Office in the 1920s. Thankfully that was not done. Of course if it were closed, things like jet engines, computers, and nuclear missiles, would have had to been patented elsewhere. Innovation does not simply turn off for a few years. Therefore, contraband hounds will always have something new to investigate.

The search is worth it. This is true because uncovering one dangerous thing may save many lives. For example, let’s say that you find the back of a metal bookshelf that is being bent to be used as a shank. It may be that you had not thought of that prior and that this is a new trick to you. Also, the find was not in a comfortable place. In other words, those who try to dislodge the metal, have to crouch in order to reach it. You have learned that contraband may be hidden in places where it is difficult or uncomfortable for staff to search. And while you learn this new axiom, you have removed a dangerous item from circulation.

Serendipity happens. Sometimes, we simply stumble upon a discovery. We observe something new such as a swelled interest in a section of the kitchen. Prior, there may be only one person per shift in that section. Now it is knotted with a veritable throng of active offenders. As you watch, you realize they’re trying to block someone who is trying to dislodge metal from one of the out-of-the-way cabinets. From all this we find that as we continue to watch, we continue to discover. Therefore, study contraband will continue.

We are already watching, anyway. We keep watching as a matter of our job duties. To alleviate boredom, we think of where things may be hidden, often wandering into the realm of the absurd. Since we are already watching, we may as well engage in a little creative find and seek.

The search will never really end. The passing of time and the many locations we have to search tell us that there are so many places to hide things. And once you have looked over a location, offenders have had time and opportunity to place items in recently searched areas. In all of this, there may not be many finds. However, there is the potential to uncover something.

What if you don’t look and you miss something big? Many contraband searches reveal nothing. And when you find something, the discovery may be a simple love note, an old betting slip, or even some poorly written graffiti. But you can’t risk not looking. That is because you may find a prison made alcohol, a shank, or some indication of escape plans. In other words, because the potential to find some things there, we continue to look.

These are just a few reasons why professionals continue to search. They do this even if their knowledge is already vast. So if you asked me when I’ll stop looking for contraband and ways to halt the danger, I will say this: “I will stop tomorrow.”Of course, by the time it is tomorrow it’s actually today. Tomorrow never comes. The search goes on. The learning continues.

joebouchard Contraband Control

Support staff in any institution perform many useful functions. For example, there are healthcare staff, mechanics, storekeepers, and teachers just to name a few. Without them, offenders would be harder to control and operations would be seriously compromised. Yet, the various specialties of auxiliary staff on the face of it seem to be without a security function. And the reasons for that varies, ranging from institutional or agency culture to the emphasis that individual professionals places on security.

This does not have to be. Non-custody, support staff can offer a lot of help in the constant battle for safety. And one of the fundamental eroding elements of the security base is the existence of contraband and the trade activity that goes with it.

I believe that a complete corrections professional will perform their specialty well and engage in contraband control. And when I say corrections professional, I mean not only the officers but also administration, programs personnel, and other support staff.

Here are five reasons programs staff should help in the search for contraband.

1. It is everyone’s duty – Look at any mission statement. An agency’s mission statement is the written expectation of service. Security is built into all of them. Though the words may differ, it all comes down to keeping the public, staff, and offenders safe. Anyone who works in corrections, no matter the classification of their job, is duty bound to follow the mission statement;
2. A different perspective – Almost everyone appreciates an extra set of eyes. Support staff may see something that is overlooked by other staff. For example, some offenders are more likely to exchange goods or services in front of support staff and in the absence of custody staff. Because of this, observations of non-custody staff are valuable for the institution. Hitherto ignored associations between offenders can come to light. What had previously been unseen could represent the gateway to vast trading enterprise and to more sinister bootleg;
3. Staff harmony – Support staff who share the search generally are held in higher regard by custody staff. Non-custody contraband control hounds are willing to step out of their comfort zone and specialty and into the very important matter of security. The search for contraband is a fundamental building block of security. And when support staff engage in this, many custody staff feel that there are others to help carry the burden. This sort of cooperation strengthens ties, creates empathy, builds credibility, and mitigates the persistent problem of staff division;
4. Impression – Over time, offenders will notice the security consciousness exhibited by support staff. This will make formerly vulnerable staff into a less likely target of manipulation and intimidation. A well-respected body of staff helps build a feeling of safety in the facility;
5. Pragmatism – The life that you save could be your own. It is dangerous in there. It makes sense to eliminate the dangerous elements. And even if preserving your own existence is not paramount in your mind, there’s the well-being of your colleagues to consider. The practical thinking involved in a contraband search is priceless. It is like looking for a mouse trap that has been set before actually reaching for it.

It is no surprise that any correctional facility is incomplete without meaningful programs and effective prisoner services. In much the same way the security team is diminished without the vigilance and communication of support staff. Support staff can be a valuable asset to the search team. Their efforts, combined with everyone else, make corrections safer for staff, offenders, and the public.

joebouchard Contraband Control

Here is a question for you: Could something as seemingly harmless as a feather disrupt the operations of a prison? The bird probably would not give the loss of a feather it a second thought. But, it is a simple scenario that staff should ponder.

I saw it a few yards from the dining hall, on the grass next to the walk. It was a perfectly formed, seven inch long feather. The feather seemed out of place to me. It was just like seeing an archaic telephone booth in a desolate desert setting.

As I picked it up, I wondered what it could be made into. In other words, how could the feather be used against staff or prisoners? Could something as innocuous as this be transformed into an implement of danger?

A shank? – Admittedly, the feather’s quill could be easily sharpened. However, the hollow, stem-like shaft would not necessarily make a good shank. The material is simply too flexible to damage flesh. Of course with the right thrust, precision sharpening, and with a bit of surprise, a sharpened quill could pierce an eye.

A tool of self mutilation? – We know that some offenders will hurt themselves. Whatever the particular reason, it is a common enough occurrence. Almost all veteran corrections staff have heard a story of some offender who inserts some sharpened object into an uncomfortable part of themselves. Just as an inmate could obtain a wire or sharpened plastic and cut or insert into their flesh, a sharpened quill could be employed for this purpose.

A blow gun? – With patience and a paper clip, a quill could be completely hollowed to resemble a straw. A hollowed quill could be used as a blow gun. However, unless it is an ostrich or peacock feather the shaft opening would be too small to pose much of a danger. Though possible, it is not very probable.

A squirt gun? – Everyone had made a makeshift squirt gun in elementary school. Rather than open the small carton of milk, students simply pierce the top of the unopened container with a pencil and insert a straw. Inevitably, the student discovers that by squeezing a full container, a squirt gun is born.

In most institutions, containers are forbidden in certain areas, as they can be used to hurl noxious liquids at staff and other prisoners. This rule will not thwart a prisoner with a mission. Where there is a will, there is a way.

It does not take too much imagination to pair the straw-like remains of a feather shaft with squeezable plastic or even a paper sack. With the right material, patience, and a sealant, the feather can be adapted into a liquid gun.

The feather squirt gun needs not be completely leak proof in order to work. Still, with purloined plastic wrap, it would be reinforced and have a longer life. A seal between the feather shaft/straw and the container is easily contrived. Items that prisoners are permitted to possess can serve this function. Sealing agents include peanut butter or petroleum jelly. Less useful but still possible, fluids that humans naturally produce can seal, after a fashion.

So, what of the single plume? Why ponder unlikely uses? Is this an exercise in over-worry? Is this over-thinking the very simple? To answer these questions, I thought of the possibilities rather than the improbabilities. I admit that a single feather will not likely become a dangerous weapon. However, it is not beyond the realm of possibility.

Because of this, I retrieved the feather and discarded it. This feather would not reach inmate hands. The chief rationale for this lies in thwarting an opportunity. Why tempt fate? Why should I doubt the potency of inmate ingenuity? Why not remove a possible threat or item of trade? That action could have saved a colleague’s eye – or even my own.

Others may say, “Big deal! Who cares if a prisoner gets a hold of a feather?” My answer to that it probably does not make a difference. But, it certainly would not hurt anything to remove something that is not commonly permitted per the policy directive that governs personal property.

In any event, it is a fun exercise to ponder alternative uses for common items. This is how we stay vested in the job. New riddles stretch our brains a bit and keep us mentally flexible. Riddles like this can pull us out of thinking ruts. Even if the riddle has no answer, it is worthwhile to think outside of conventional areas.

Though I am no ornithologist, I am fairly certain that a bird would never consider how the loss of a feather may impact the thoughts of one corrections professional. In the end, something seemingly innocuous – like an errant feather may – may have more sinister uses than one initially supposes.

joebouchard Contraband Control, What the...?!?

What could be more evocative than thoughts of an infestation? Imagine that you are battling vermin, determined to rid the area of unwanted pests. In this sense, it’s easy claim victory if you catch the mouse or other pests. But does that go to the heart of the problem? Is that true elimination or merely short-term management?

When we eliminate the nest or the avenues and inside, we have found a more thorough solution to the problem. Likewise, every bit of contraband that we remove from the system represents a win against the collective of dangerous elements that we face on the job every day. For example, discovering a cache of tobacco in a smoke free and chew free institution eliminates some illegal trade in possible violence. But we must wonder how the tobacco got inside the facility in the first place.

No matter the custody level, age, or physical layout of your facility, it is safe to say that some contraband filters in undetected. In a way contraband management is like pulling weeds. One can temporarily halt the weed (or contraband problem) with one quick yank. It is as simple as pulling the item out of circulation and ensuring proper disposition. However, we can further delay the return of contraband by digging deep at the root. Really, there are four basic ways that contraband enters our jails and prisons. It is something I call E.V.I.L. origins – a mnemonic that means Employee, Visitor, Inside, and Let in.

Employee – As corrections professionals, we wish that staff corruption did not exist. Unfortunately, a small percentage of our colleagues dabble in the illegal trade. Whether bought, maneuvered, or coerced, employee mules in the service of offenders deal a grievous blow to the structure of security.

Visitor – Most people who have do not quite grasp the reason for so many rules in the operation of a correctional facility. Despite this, many visitors each day comply with instruction from staff. However, as with employees, there are a small number of visitors who circumvent the rules and introduce contraband into the facility.

Inside – The origin of some contraband items is completely within the fences. Some things are created with ordinary, on-hand items. They include papier-mâché clubs, plans on the yard with medicinal qualities, or even spud juice. Something of value need not necessarily have come from outside the walls.

Let in – This is a large category. Contraband that is let in is hidden from detection as it enters the facility from the outside. This can be as nefariously clever as small bits of narcotic laced crayons used to create a drawing that is sent through the mail. The hollowed legal brief is a popular vessel as well. Camouflage arrows filled with drugs and shot into the yard is a strange but documented occurrence. Let us not forget the cell phone that escapes detection in a new commitment’s anatomy.

What does all this mean? With the knowledge of contraband sources we can better predict where the next nest of bootleg may lie. However this should be tempered with patience and realism. In other words, it takes time and will not always uncover all dangerous and tradable goods.
Concept of evil origins helps us consider sources bootleg. Realistically we cannot stop all sources of contraband. But every bit removed from the system means a win for security.

joebouchard Contraband Control

Later this year, Icebreakers III will be published by the International Association of Correctional Training Personnel (IACTP). This is the 3rd in a series of classroom exercises for corrections and criminal justice staff written by corrections and criminal justice professionals. For more information on the first two Icebreaker books, please go to www.IACTP.org. This is a sneak peek of what is to come. “Destruction or misuse with value over $10” is one of the 25 icebreakers that will appear in Icebreakers III.

It should come as no surprise that some prisoners will risk major misconducts reports written on them in order to achieve their goal of comfort. That is to say, most contraband traders are aware they may suffer a “ticket” by misusing or destroying state property. Still, they take the risk in order to reap the rewards.

There are many contraband trading vessels. Consider the law book – a ubiquitous part of any prison library. Many of which are over 1000 pages and have ample hiding places when one thinks about it.

This icebreaker is a hands-on contraband control endeavor.

1. The object is to learn as much as possible about the different ways that prisoners modify books in order to move contraband.
2. Divide the class into groups of four. All participants in each team will play the role of a prisoner trying to alter a book in order to move tobacco.
3. Each team will be given an old, used book. Optimally, this will be a law book that is no longer usable. Facilitators can find law books from the institutional librarians discards. Old books can also be obtained from garage sales, used bookstores, and from local library discards. My preference is for law books, as these are common in jails and prisons. Also, law books are generally over 1000 pages. There would be more places to hide contraband such a large vessel.
4. For added authenticity, the facilitator can provide each team with a pile of pencil shavings and one business sized envelope or a blank sheet of paper. The objective can be specific to concealing “tobacco” and moving it with the law book/vessel.
5. Teams shall be instructed that they may only use items that a prisoner in that facility would legitimately possess. For example if the team elects to hollow out a portion of the book, they may only use a pen if prisoners are permitted to use pens in that facility. They may not use a pair of scissors that may be in the training room, as is likely that prisoners are not permitted to possess scissors.
6. For even more authenticity, the facilitator can appoint a person to “make rounds” and observe the progress. In similar exercises such as shank making from a metal candy container, I use this method. I tell the participants up front that if I am not within 3 feet of anyone in the team, then I or the appointed rover are not able to observe what the team is doing.
7. I would further instruct that the team is to be discreet. When a rover is within range, the team may utilize ruses, diversions or deception. This is done to keep the observer from witnessing their progress.
8. Teams are given a reasonable amount of time to conceal the faux tobacco in the books. 15 min. may work well for this purpose.
9. Observe the team and make notes. Ask these questions: Do some teams plan or talk it out? Or does the team dive right in? Are there members who are dominant on the team who will take all initiative? Or is team rather equally utilized?
10. At the end of the appointed time, each team will elect a spokesperson. Each spokesperson in turn will report how they could conceal the faux tobacco in the law book.
11. The rover or the facilitator can note on a whiteboard where each team concealed the tobacco.

Of course, as this exercise is used over the years, the facilitator will find common answers as to where tobacco can be hidden. Most will opt immediately for the pocket part or the binding. Others will try to make a hollow in an unobtrusive part of the book. Others still will try to construct a hidden pocket with the back pages in the back cover. The facilitator can tell the participants after the exercise places that they may have missed that are commonly occurring hiding spots. Of course, if one of the teams comes up with something that is not usually used as a hiding place, that should be noted as new and unique to the exercise.

As we know some prisoners are very clever in how they move contraband. And the law book is just one of many vessels. It pays for us to role-play and to try to think like a smuggler. With some pencil shavings, and envelope, discarded law books, and some ingenuity there is no telling what hiding places can be conceived. The end result is an awareness among staff that increases safety within the facility.

IACTP is an international professional association of trainers, training administrators, and educators representing all aspects of the field of adult and juvenile justice. IACTP was established in 1974 and provides its members with:
• An Annual Trainers’ Conference
• A quarterly journal, “The Correctional Trainer”
• A member’s only listserv providing global access to criminal justice professionals
• And a voluntary trainer’s certification program.

joebouchard Contraband Control, Training

What is on your essential list of items needed for facility safety? Staff watchfulness, communications, and sufficient time to follow up are a few of these things. There are forgotten items, though. In pursuit of building a safer facility, we often omit the contraband nerd from the list of essentials.

What exactly is a contraband nerd? Let us try this definition.

Contraband nerd – noun –ˈkäntrə.band nərd –
1. A person who is enthusiastically and diligently engaged in discovering unusual uses for ordinary items,
2. A focused corrections professional who strives to understand contraband control methods and whose goal is to enhance safety,
3. A devoted corrections professional with a talent for discovering illegal schemes that utilize bootleg.
Generally, the word nerd is a pejorative term. Commonly, it means an inept or bumbling person. However, for the sake of this essay, a nerd is someone with the deep focus in a specialized area. If you have a colleague who questions the many uses of ordinary things, your colleague may be a contraband nerd.

Regarding the contraband nerd, here are some useful and necessary qualities:

• Inquisitiveness – The contraband nerd ponders questions about modified goods or those used in a way not originally intended by the manufacturer. They might question if a metal wire and an electrical outlet can produce enough spark to ignite cardboard. They might examine the charging cord of an authorized MP3 player and conclude that it could be used to charge many types of cell phones. Above all, the contraband nerd asks the question, “What else could this be used for?”
• Tenacity – This is the quality of following a lead as far as possible. The true contraband nerd will systematically turn over each stone to see what is underneath. Duties, frayed patience, and time constraints may temporarily halt the search. But the contraband nerd knows where he or she left off and will continue the search whenever possible. Tenacity means hanging on tightly to a goal and seeing it through to completion.
• Mechanical reasoning – A contraband nerd may hand-test metal for pliability, hollow out books, or compress envelopes to witness possibilities of smuggling firsthand. To some, this may seem a strange exercise in theoretical futility. But the contraband nerd performs creative experiments in order to test the limits of imagination. Without field tests, the understanding how offenders alter materials stagnates.
• Economic sense – How much would a cigarette fetch on the yard? What sorts of diet pills are most valuable to traders? How much above the value of a first-class stamp is a metered envelope? What is a quick manner in which an offender can earn economic power and therefore physical power? These are just a few of the questions in the economic vein that the contraband nerd will ponder. It’s crucial to think in terms of hot sales items. This provides us with something specific to search for.
• Identifying the players – The contraband nerd will try to find specific motivations of contrabandists. Optimally, through an informed network of colleagues, the contraband nerd builds an idea of who is associated with whom. Knowing who the movers and shakers are gives a sense of likely avenues of trade. There is an element of maintenance in this. The contraband nerd has to have a handle on shifting alliances and be aware of the existence of vengeful ex-trading partners.

It’s important to remember that the contraband nerd is a wonderful balance to the offenders skilled in the trade and manufacture of contraband. Contrabandists are dangerous and are motivated to make weapons and leverage economic and fiscal advantage. In short, without the contraband nerd corrections would be a much more dangerous place.

It behooves corrections administrators to develop and nurture the skills of contraband control. Many contend that there should be more training on theories, application and practice of the search. And even though corrections budgets are strained, the benefits of an informed staff body armed with additional contraband control training outweigh the cost. And the fundamentals of such training may come from the methods employed by one or any of the institution’s contraband nerds.

joebouchard Contraband Control

Officially, agencies communicate through memoranda, operating procedures, policy directions and the chain of command.  Unofficially, we exchange information through less than formal communications vines.  Word of mouth is a very common manner.  Communications of all sorts drive our actions.  Of the many things that safety is contingent on, communications should never be overlooked.

Of course, staff are not the only group in our institution that exchange information.  Offenders drive the engines of their unofficial economies with information.  Code, graffiti, and snowffiti are some ways that they do this.

One of my custody mentors told me a story of a green thumbed individual.  My mentor related the tale of horticultural handiwork of a convicted gardener extraordinaire. Read more…

joebouchard Contraband Control, Training

What do you throw away that could be of use elsewhere?  What common items do you take for granted? In a prison setting, items that you discard can be used against you.  Sometimes we forget this and dispose of items that prisoners recycle into marketable goods.  Therefore, we unwittingly fuel the illicit economy of the institution and sacrifice safety.

Use and scarcity dictate value.  For a non-prison example, we go to the upper Midwest many years ago.  Here, a young boy climbed into the grain elevators to find doves.  These birds would roost there for food and shelter.  The boy harvested the birds, selling some to local restaurants and taking some home for his family to consume. 

He was also aware that some children from an affluent neighboring community preferred to keep these birds as pets.  Read more…

joebouchard Contraband Control