MCSO unveils body scanners to curb jail contraband

MCSO using new tech to stop contraband in jails

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is using new body scanners at its Intake, Transfer and Release Center in an effort to stop inmates from smuggling in drugs and weapons. FOX 10's Lindsey Ragas has the details.

MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is using new body scanners at its Intake, Transfer and Release Center in an effort to stop inmates from smuggling in drugs and weapons.

What they're saying:

"We've seen an increase of individuals trying to bring in drugs and other contraband into our jail system," said MCSO Deputy Chief Mike Dawson.

Dawson said inmates are hiding drugs inside their body cavities. Shortly after Sheriff Jerry Sheridan took office, he looked into new technology, and inmates now go through the scanners before getting patted down.

"This is our Intake, Transfer and Release Center. Eighty to 100,000 people are booked into jail in Maricopa County and every one of them come through that door right behind you," Dawson said. "So, the very first thing that happens when they come in is they go through these X-ray body scanners."

The jail has two different types of scanners that do the same job. In one, the inmate moves side to side; in the other, the inmate stays in place.

Dawson said the machines don't replace "good old fashioned police detention work" and the traditional pat search. He called the scanners "just the first step."

Dig deeper:

Since the machines were installed, they have successfully found a fully loaded handgun on an inmate, as well as a pocket knife in an inmate's hand.

"We get lists by the week of finds that we have in here," Dawson said. "Anything from small bags of powder, pills, we find all kinds of contraband in here."

Back in February, 14 overdoses were reported within a week and a half at Estrella Jail and two people died.

"We found so many individuals getting booked in here that are carrying contraband inside their body cavities," Dawson said. 

As FOX 10 was interviewing Dawson, an inmate was brought through the Intake Center, and she went on the moving platform. No drugs were detected on her.

"This says it takes two minutes to good search. A bad search can cost a lifetime. That's just a reminder to our brothers and sisters out there behind the badge, don't forget the basics and don't forget the searches that you need to do because you need to keep yourself safe and the community," Dawson said.

Scanners target drugs, weapons in MCSO jails

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is using body scanners at its jails to prevent inmates from smuggling in drugs and weapons. FOX 10's Lindsey Ragas has more.

By the numbers:

Dawson says a total of 10 scanners were purchased, so every jail facility will have access to the X-ray scanners. The 10 machines cost MCSO just under $3 million.

The scanners were funded with vacancy savings. The county did not go to taxpayers for additional dollars.