Corrections division approves bill to improve contraband screening

Legislation authorizing the use of specialized scanners by prison and jail personnel found strong bipartisan support in the House Corrections Division.

All eight members of the subcommittee have signed on as co-sponsors for HF733. Sponsored by Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee), it would, in part, exempt corrections personnel from examination requirements to use the ionizing radiation screening systems.

The bill was approved and sent to the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee. The companion, SF445, is sponsored by Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) and awaits action by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.

State jails and correctional facilities are dealing with drugs being smuggled into the prison through ingestion, such as drugs placed in a balloon, then swallowed. Current search methods are unable to detect them.

Many of the women entering the Shakopee prison have been victimized before arriving at the gates, according to Warden Tracy Beltz.

“The scanner, to my understanding, would allow them to scan a body without a physical, unclothed body search, which would be less traumatic for the women who have to undergo the process,” Beltz said. Using the scanner would also make the search effort much easier for staff.

Beltz noted that by creating safer facilities, institutions are better able to deliver services that reduce recidivism, their larger goal.

Identical language was part of the large omnibus bill vetoed last year by former Gov. Mark Dayton.