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| Dogs trained to sniff out cell phones |
| By myfoxphoenix.com - Anita Roman |
| Published: 05/15/2012 |
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TUCSON, Ariz. - They're illegal contraband just like drugs and weapons, but more and more inmates are smuggling cell phones into prison. A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections says a monthly sweep in cells around Arizona turns up anywhere from 30 to 60 cell phones. The trend is alarming because prisoners can make unmonitored calls, post messages on social media sites, even send text messages to unassuming victims. The Department of Corrections is fighting the problem in a unique but very effective way. In 2010, 165 phones were confiscated. The following year that number almost doubled -- 283 cell phones were discovered in Arizona prisons. So far this year, 239 phones have already been seized. Nestled in the mountains of Tucson is a training academy for some of the toughest 4-legged officers in the state. "We're training dual purpose dogs and single purpose dogs, detection and patrol," says Kenny Vance, service dog support specialist. On this day, Vance is teaching obedience. German shepherds, hound dogs, Belgium malamutes walk in formation with their trainers, falling into line. An unlikely pair, a Springer spaniel and a pit bull, just two of the prison system's nine canines, will serve a very special purpose. "We identified hunting breed dogs that liked the extreme hunt, an extreme retrieve drive and wanted to work all day," says Ralph Pendergast, DOC service dog administrator. Pendergast says the 9 dogs spend 9 weeks -- 320 hours -- learning how to detect cell phones. "Over the last four years smuggling cell phones into the prison is almost like the plague. Its a device that can be used by inmates to continue on with their drug practices, ordering dope in, planning escapes, intimidating witnesses that might be involved in the court system, and continuing on with, if they belong to a gang, do gang business inside the prison." According to Pendergast, phones that can be bought for as little as $40 on the outside go for as much as $800-1,200 on the inside. They're smuggled in by friends and family during visits, by staff, even purchased during work detail. Zip, Taz and Cricket have one job. To find the contraband. Their paycheck? A favorite toy. Read More. |
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