Stevens asks about contraband prevention and searches
Stevens asks about steps to prevent and find contraband. Administration witnesses describe TSA-level scanners, x-ray machines, handheld x-ray scanners, tools to open fixtures, announced and unannounced searches, wands, metal detectors, and pat frisks, with contraband logged and held by ACS police.
Preventing contraband, what are some specific steps have staff at Horizon and Crossroad taken to identify and reduce contraband that is brought into the facility?
So we have done a number of things.
As you know, because you have come into both of our facilities, we have TSA level scanners at the front entry and at the sally port for young people who are going to appointments
outside of, including court and hospitals.
We have x-ray scanners.
We have acquired handheld x-ray scanners that can look through opaque surfaces such as mattresses or walls.
We have acquired additional
tools that can open light fixtures and radiators and soap dispensers.
Anything that can be opened, we have acquired tools to open it to identify whether or not anything is being hidden in those areas.
We have recently, because the new legislation has been passed on the state,
We have recently procured x-ray machines that we will be able to use once the state issues regulations and we're able to formulate policy for the use of that.
We anticipate use of those machines in early 2027.
I have some questions about the x-ray, but I have some more questions about the contra.
How often are searches done in the facility and what type of searches are conducted?
So there's a variety of searches that are done.
When staff come on a tour, they're supposed to do room searches on the halls.
When young people move to the school, they are wanded with a trans frisker.
They sit on a boss chair and they walk through a metal detector.
A pat frisk may be done at any time when young people are moving.
And after court and after searches and after visits, additional searches are done of the young people.
Are searches announced or unannounced on the housing areas?
Both.
Because I'm hearing that searches are typically done on Tuesdays, and most of the young people know when it's going to happen.
They are both announced and unannounced and can happen on any day.
Who's in charge of making such searches and conducts them?
Facility.
leadership sets the, provides the authorization as set forth in our policy.
Have you ever conducted staff from refraining from conducting searches without your authorization?
No.
What's the protocol and chain of, what's the protocol when contraband is found and confiscated?
We have a policy that controls contraband.
It's generally, if it is, so both our uniformed staff and our ACS police conduct searches.
They often conduct searches together.
They will...
They will put that contraband into bags.
They will make sure that it is logged, and then it is held by the ACS police.
One of the things that I'm hearing and getting intel from is that contraband was collected on Hall H at Horizon on June 21st.
Can you tell me a little bit about what contraband was found from Hall H?
There were some sharp objects that the young people turned over and at least one blade.