How to Search a Male Inmate for Contraband

Contraband is a serious problem both going into prison and out of prison. Properly knowing how to search an inmate promotes safety for the guards and inmates, while regulating illegal contraband within the prison. Prisoners are very clever with their concealment, and it is your job as a guard to stay one step ahead of the population.

Instructions

1. Ask the inmate to open his mouth and inspect with a flashlight. Have him raise his tongue to assure nothing is hiding under it. Also shine the light into their ears and nose, as some smaller contrabands can fit in these openings.

2. : Run a pat down of the inmate's hair. Prisoners with long hair can easily conceal contraband within the folds of their hair. Take great care, as it is always a possibility that the inmate has syringes, knives or other sharp objects concealed.

3. Pat down the inmate's legs, arms and back for contraband. Remove and examine anything that feels foreign and not part of the human body. Many inmates will attempt to hide items in the folds or pockets of their clothes.

4. Have the inmate strip and expose his bodily orifices. Inmates often do not have any qualms with storing contraband within the body. If you feel it is necessary to go beyond a visual search, a medical professional is required to search.

5. Inspect places on the outside of the body where an inmate can store contraband. Ask him to raise his arms to ensure nothing is hiding within the armpit. Also ask him to raise his **** and scrotum.

Tips & Warnings

• Always have another person act as a witness during a search to avoid any legal problems down the road.