Ok, working in the correctional field going on 5 years, there is a constant debate as to when it is legal, justified, ethical or whatever to conduct strip searches on inmates. States, districts, jusrisdictions and attorneys have been fighting this battle for several years. So I thought I would ask my readers. Let me give you my opinion, and some examples, then you can give me your opinion in the comment section at the end of this post.
My opinion is that correctional officers have the right to strip search any inmate at any given time. As long as it isn’t a personal vengful vendeta, and they are honeslty looking for contraband, I see no reason not to let them conduct a search. The United States is not so united on this issue. They are split.
Picture this, let’s say you are booking an inmate into the jail. You conduct a text book pat down, sweeping and patting all the areas that were trained to you, to feel for any weapons, drugs or other contraband the new inmate might be trying to smuggle into your facilty. But as we all know sweeping and patting only gets to so many areas. Your facility’s policy and procedure states that any new inmate that has had prior drug charges gives you legal permission to conduct a strip search. But this inmate is brand new to the system, neve been in jail. He has placed a knife in his rectum, with intentions of hurting or killing someone in the jail. Since you legally can not strip search this inmate, he is able to get get the weapon into the facility, therefore breaching security, and now has the potential to cause fatal harm to someone.
This is the law in Kentucky, you can not strip search a new inmate unless they have prior drug charges or procurring contraband charges. This is total BS, it puts the lives of the staff and the other inmates in jeopardy. The law also states that at anytime during the inmates incarceration I have the right to conduct a strip search, just not during the booking process. I feel very strongly on this issue, and feel that we as correctional officers, for the safety and security of staff, inmates and the facility should have the right to strip search every inmate that enters into the jail.
So is it right or wrong, let me know, leave a comment below.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=cccfdaa5-f438-4dc4-b905-9689824ac35e)
Loading ...
I think that is crazy you should be able to strip search them any time you want to, even 10 times a day if you see fit. They lost their right to say no to a strip search when they broke the law and got put in jail in the first place. Maybe if they don’t like the invasion of privacy they’ll respect the law next time!
I’ve got to go with Brian on this - you are there to do a job, a job that a lot of people don’t want to do because of the dangers and the fact guards deal with people who have a history of less than exemplary behavior. You deserve to go home at night - and to work in an environment that is as safe as possible.
It’s insane guards are expected to take chances with their safety (and the safety of other inmates) because the person has no prior record of a specific charge. They are there for a reason - and it isn’t because they were selling cookies at the church bake sale. Sorry if it sucks for them…but they lost the right to certain decisions.
Besides…if I were in prison, I’d be so scared I’d want everyone to be strip searched…not that I would feel any better, but at least I’d know no one brought in a Paul Hogan-size knife.