One of the most crucial aspects of working in a correctional facility is the search for contraband.
We all know that it is there.
But where is it? The hunt for contraband is just like a game of cat and mouse.
Offenders have it and they don't want us to find it.
We want it and don't want offenders to have it.
So how do we find it? By getting down and dirty.
One thing that we must always keep in mind is that offenders are going to hide the contraband in the most disgusting places they can think of: inside the toilet? In the trash? Inside dirty and soiled clothing? Any other place that would make a normal person say "I am not going to put my hand in there!" That is exactly what the offenders are hoping for! Where would YOU hide it? I never ceases to amaze me how many officers forget where to look.
Before we even start working for corrections we already know how to shakedown a cell or a common area.
We just didn't realize that we knew.
Think about all the places that you hid things from your siblings, parents, and spouses (gifts, etc) that you did not want them to find.
The next thing that surprises me is that officers don't use the proper gear when searching.
Think about gloves for a minute.
What good is a pair of non-latex gloves going to do for you if you come across a needle or razor blade? The only thing that those gloves are good for is not getting your hands too dirty.
Make sure you get a good pair of tactical Kevlar gloves.
There are many brands out there and the small expense is worth it's weight in gold if you never get injured.
You can always put on the non-latex gloves over them for searching toilets and other disgusting things.
DO NOT LET THEM WIN! When searching an area, always use the same pattern that you have for yourself.
Start at one end and work your way around.
It does not matter if you go left to right or right to left; top to bottom or bottom to top.
ALWAYS USE THE SAME PATTERN.
This will avoid any confusion on what is left to do if you have to stop for any reason.
DO NOT forget food items! They love to hide contraband in containers and then make them look like they have never been opened.
They are really good at doing this.
Use spoons or tongue depressors to search things like peanut butter or fluids.
Do not look with big things in mind (cell phone, weapons, etc).
Instead, look for the smallest things that you can think of.
If you search in this manner, you will find the big things as well as the small things.
Make sure that you crawl under beds, over beds and move things around.
If it comes apart, take it apart and look in it.
If it looks strange, take it! You can always give it back later if you have to.
Do not take the shortcuts that a lot of officers like to take.
A few things to keep in mind:
And most importantly, BE SAFE!
We all know that it is there.
But where is it? The hunt for contraband is just like a game of cat and mouse.
Offenders have it and they don't want us to find it.
We want it and don't want offenders to have it.
So how do we find it? By getting down and dirty.
One thing that we must always keep in mind is that offenders are going to hide the contraband in the most disgusting places they can think of: inside the toilet? In the trash? Inside dirty and soiled clothing? Any other place that would make a normal person say "I am not going to put my hand in there!" That is exactly what the offenders are hoping for! Where would YOU hide it? I never ceases to amaze me how many officers forget where to look.
Before we even start working for corrections we already know how to shakedown a cell or a common area.
We just didn't realize that we knew.
Think about all the places that you hid things from your siblings, parents, and spouses (gifts, etc) that you did not want them to find.
The next thing that surprises me is that officers don't use the proper gear when searching.
Think about gloves for a minute.
What good is a pair of non-latex gloves going to do for you if you come across a needle or razor blade? The only thing that those gloves are good for is not getting your hands too dirty.
Make sure you get a good pair of tactical Kevlar gloves.
There are many brands out there and the small expense is worth it's weight in gold if you never get injured.
You can always put on the non-latex gloves over them for searching toilets and other disgusting things.
DO NOT LET THEM WIN! When searching an area, always use the same pattern that you have for yourself.
Start at one end and work your way around.
It does not matter if you go left to right or right to left; top to bottom or bottom to top.
ALWAYS USE THE SAME PATTERN.
This will avoid any confusion on what is left to do if you have to stop for any reason.
DO NOT forget food items! They love to hide contraband in containers and then make them look like they have never been opened.
They are really good at doing this.
Use spoons or tongue depressors to search things like peanut butter or fluids.
Do not look with big things in mind (cell phone, weapons, etc).
Instead, look for the smallest things that you can think of.
If you search in this manner, you will find the big things as well as the small things.
Make sure that you crawl under beds, over beds and move things around.
If it comes apart, take it apart and look in it.
If it looks strange, take it! You can always give it back later if you have to.
Do not take the shortcuts that a lot of officers like to take.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Where would I hide it?
- Am I satisfied with the job that I did?
- Do I know my agencies policies and procedures to know what they can have?
- Do I know what they can purchase from commissary?
And most importantly, BE SAFE!
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