Prisons & Jails

Undetected Contraband and Ineffective Search Processes Put Inmates at Risk
In 2014, the Department of Corrections had a homicide at a maximum-security correctional facility. They recovered a prohibited cell phone from the assailant and were able to trace the motive back to retaliation—the assailant had received targeted text message threats from an outside organization. As part of their investigation into the incident, they realized they had a problem with phones within the facility—a signal analysis of the property revealed that from only one carrier, 150 cell phones were in use, meaning they estimated at least 300 unauthorized cell phones were active in the facility. Cell phones are a real problem for prisons because of threats and communications like this, as well as the ability to photograph and record. While they did due diligence confiscating cell phones and searching for contraband, they knew they needed stronger detection capabilities and processes—especially because their existing metal detection systems couldn’t detect cell phones an individual was carrying or had internalized to keep it hidden.

The department did not have effective, portable solutions that would allow them to detect contraband throughout their facilities. Traditional metal detectors conducted screenings in predictable locations, allowing inmates to know when they could hide items and move around the facility. While handheld wands are portable, they are often ineffective, invasive, and deemed more intrusive than you need to be—especially when trying to detect items that may be on or hidden in the body. Handheld wands require officers to stand in close proximity to the inmate, so officers are more at risk. In addition, other metal detectors also did not have precise detection capabilities and would sometimes miss items depending on their size. Because of ineffective metal detection systems, many prohibited items were traveling throughout the facility undetected, leaving officers and inmates vulnerable to injury or worse.

Expanded Metrasens Use Over a Decade
The department elected to deploy Metrasens detection systems in order to safely detect items hidden in the body, and from a distance. Since Metrasens detection systems are portable, it allows officers to conduct screenings of inmates throughout the prison within minutes. These surprise searches eliminate the mundane and routine, so inmates could not so easily move items around the facility undetected.

One of the first deployments with Metrasens was in a restricted housing unit, limiting the movement of inmates and maintaining their whereabouts closely. Somehow, even with inmates’ limited movements around the prison, a Metrasens screening triggered an alarm. The inmate, not turning over his contraband, learned that the officers had the right to conduct a secondary search under qualification for medical reasons – there could be something in the body that could result in serious medical issues. As a result, he produced a cell phone, spare battery, and charger he had internalized in his body. This gave the Deputy Commissioner confidence to begin implementing Metrasens throughout their facilities.

Metrasens was so effective at empowering officers to find contraband and threat items during line searches conducted throughout the prison that the Department of Corrections has expanded its use across the state. They deploy more and more Metrasens detection systems throughout their facilities each year. They use them at the entrance to every facility.

They also deploy them at receiving and release for inmates to be sure no forbidden items are traveling from one facility to another, and they deploy Metrasens for surprise screenings at the entrance and exit of the recreation yard. These surprise portable screenings enable officers to reasonably clear an inmate for items that may be hidden on or inside the body. Metrasens screenings completed from a distance find prohibited items and respect the inmate, all while keeping the officers safe.

The system is so flexible that officers use it for more than screening inmates; they also use it to screen inmates’ property, like mattresses and laundry bags.

As part of the new systems and processes, they have set up a Violence Reduction Team that will go to a facility to search an entire building, sub-block, or dormitory. The team uses Metrasens detection systems to screen both individuals and property to clear threat items.

Effective Contraband Detection Reduces Contraband by Over 90 Percent
“One of the most gratifying aspects of our partnership with the state department of corrections is receiving feedback from their staff, who consistently express how user-friendly our systems are, emphasizing the convenience of its fast mobile setup, enabling searches to be swiftly organized as needed. Additionally, they appreciate the enhanced safety it provides for their officers, as it allows for the efficient detection of concealed items within the body from a safe distance. The impact of our systems in their operations has been truly exceptional, revolutionizing the way operations are conducted—an absolute game changer.” shared David Link, Metrasens Director of Sales, Corrections.

Since implementing Metrasens, cell phone signal detection has drastically decreased. From suspected hundreds of cell phones in use before, they are down to an average of 10-20 cell phones, reducing this form of contraband alone by over 90 percent.

“As with other Departments of Corrections nationwide, prudent budget management is crucial. Our ability to secure swift approval from their leadership team was demonstrated during a demo search, where our systems successfully detected a needle hidden in a mattress. Witnessing this remarkable detection capability firsthand, their leadership swiftly recognized the significant value Metrasens offers. As a result, the department has procured more than 100 systems over the past decade,” shared David Link, Metrasens Director of Sales, Corrections.

Over the past decade, Metrasens has developed a strong partnership with the Department. We have worked with them to understand how people move throughout their facilities, and we’ve trained them as they expand their fleet of Metrasens detection systems to help them deploy Metrasens successfully within their facilities. We have also listened to their unique needs and challenges and have further developed the product to exceed the standard and expectations of how detection can make corrections facilities successful at finding contraband.