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| Illegal Contraband Reaching Prison Inmates |
| By midlandsconnect.com - Zoheb Hassanali |
| Published: 02/29/2012 |
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LEE CO. SC -- Lee County is home to the largest correctional facility in South Carolina. Inmates are banned from everyday items unlike the rest of the world. But lately, because of the lopsided ratio between inmates and guards, many of them are still getting access to those items with the help from outsiders. Pre-paid cell phones, tobacco, and alcohol have all been seized inside the facility walls. Sheriff Daniel Simon says it is easier than people may think. "Someone from the inside, possibly an inmate has been contacting a resident." According to authorities, those residents are hired to deliver items in marked packages. Most come at night from the back side of the prison which is heavily wooded. Most that have been arrested were wearing either black or camouflage and have thrown the packages over the fence. Simon said inmates meet the people they call at designated spots around the jail. The Sheriff's Department has located many of those meeting areas. In return, senders get paid with prepaid gift cards they obtained from previous deliveries. Those caught say they were paid between $500-$800 a delivery. Lee County is not the only area fighting contraband. Last week, two Saluda County Correctional Officers were fired after being caught taking food, drinks, drugs and other contraband to inmates; even having having intimate relationships with them. Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews, who's department has arrested several suspects making deliveries to Lee County, said it all starts with one phone getting behind the wall. That can lead to a sophisticated network. Unlike popular belief, convicts are not in their cells all day. "Cell phones are the key to it. When an inmate is able to have a cell phone inside the prison, they are able to contact people outside of the prison. Money is transferred. Inmates are not just confined to a cell block. They are allowed to go out and work at the prison. Because of that, they have access to areas outside of the prison." Read More. |
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That's certainly a problem if contraband is coming over the fences. Maybe you could do a couple of things to avert this issue. Perhaps put spotlights on the outer walls facing the fences at night to light the area better. See if its practical to install steel chicken wire on the top tier of the fences so it deters them from throwing the contraband in. Another thing that NY state does is having a 24 hour roving patrol in a jeep that goes around the prison inside the fenced area that looks for contraband and can intercept anyone from coming in or inmates escaping over the walls or fences in addition to electronic motion warning devices. With respect to officers passing contraband that has to be addressed as well you know. Some prisons and jails are installing cameras in every catwalk, front and back, in hallways, near doors and they are monitored 24 hrs a day.