Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Corrections' Contraband Effort Is Sound; Cell Phone Penalties and Warden Consistency Are Needed

Report 08-20, April 2008

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Report Summary

Florida compares favorably to other states in its efforts to control contraband in prisons, using narcotic canine teams, contraband sweeps, visitor and officer pat searches, and metal detectors at all prisons. While random drug tests show that Florida has a relatively low rate of inmate drug use, other types of contraband, notably cell phones, are a growing problem. Cell phones are considered to be contraband under Department of Corrections' policy due to their potential use by inmates to arrange escapes and orchestrate crime inside and outside prison. The Legislature may wish to revise the law so that persons that provide and use contraband cell phones can be prosecuted. The department's ability to control contraband also would be enhanced by improving its computer system that tracks contraband incidents, providing additional training to prison employees, and developing a statewide policy to guide wardens in sanctioning visitors who bring contraband on prison property.

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Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
criminal justice, probation, visitation, contraband, interdictions, prisons, inmates, cell phones, drug detection, visitation, drug testing, body cavity, shakedown, pat search, narcotic canine team, metal detector, management information notification system, correctional officer training, institution, inspector, manipulation, phone, dress code, visit, commission, family, youth, children, toy, activity, visitor, calls, transition, re-entry, work release, recidivism, inmates, rehabilitative programs, correctional education, substance abuse, abuse treatment, post-release outcomes, recidivism, vocational education, therapeutic community, sex offender treatment, risk assessment, sexual disorder, adult basic education, inmate idleness, substance abuse, substance abuse treatment, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, prison treatment programs, residential therapeutic community, outpatient treatment, work release center, inmate idleness, prison planning, prison construction, fleet maintenance, correction