Of all the contraband that does sneak its way past security points, illegal substances are the most preferred by inmates and the most difficult to detect, even with body scanners.
Fortunately, as body scanning technology continues to improve, detecting drugs is becoming easier; however, it will always be a problem for correctional facilities.
Drugs Are A Wanted Item in Prisons
Behind prison gates, there is a booming economy funded by drugs that have somehow made it into the facility, whether on a person that has somehow evaded detection due to the use of less sophisticated scanning equipment or by some other means.
Drugs are always in demand, a commodity that someone is always looking to buy, no matter what the going rate might be at the time.
Cash, food, and favors can all be exchanged for the substances that have somehow made their way into the prison, creating a negative environment of haves and have-nots within the system and the wasting of funds that could and should be used in much better ways.
Entire drug-based debt systems exist among inmates in some facilities.
Illicit Drugs Causing Overdoses
Yet the worst of these issues is the number of overdoses still happening in facilities where drugs are not permitted and should not be getting past security points.
Inmate drug use has continued to rise as the years have passed, with record highs reported in recent years.
Sadly, the majority of those using within the system, many of whom actually start while in prison, go on to abuse and even overdose after release.
Real Need for Advanced Body Scanners
As detecting illicit substances gets harder, it is more important than ever before to have the best full body scanning technology in place to combat the issue.
Advanced body scanners that can now detect even soft substances like tiny packets of powder on or in the body with the ability to differentiate between human tissue and non-living materials are increasingly aiding in the detection of drugs before they make their way into the hands of an inmate.
Adding All this Up
For reasons both legal and ethical, prison facilities and any other facility where contraband scanning is required must address the ever-growing risk of drugs and other contraband entering by keeping up with the newer technology.
With the installation of more sensitive body scanning machines that can detect even the smallest amounts of drugs and strict compliance to their use, facilities can be safer and protect the lives of inmates, employees, and visitors alike.