Stevens asks about x-ray body scanners and radiation concerns
Stevens asks about x-ray body scanners that use iodine radiation and whether ACS plans to use them. Administration witnesses say ACS is not using them or storing them on site, and is waiting for state guidance and DOHMH guidelines on who would be scanned and how often.
So I want to ask questions about the x-ray body scanners.
The state passed legislation authorizing the use of x-ray body scanners to screen for contraband and juvenile detentions.
Those scanners use iodine radiation.
Advocates, including legal aid societies, have raised concerns that staff levels of radiation exposure for minors are not well established and that the scanners frequently produce false positives.
Has ACS installed or begin using body scanners at Crossroads or Horizon?
If not, does ACS plan to?
And what is the timeline?
We are not using them.
We do not have them on site.
We are waiting for guidance from the state.
We have been in discussions with New York City DOHMH who set the guidelines for New York City DOC.
At the point they set those guidelines, the 16 and 17 year olds were on Rikers Island.
So we are waiting to see what the state
guidelines are, we don't know what they are yet.
If ACS plans to use the scanners, who would be scanned and how often would a single young person be scanned?
We are waiting for the guidance.
The guidance will control that.