All the goods and items that enter the confines of correctional facilities against the laid down laws are categorized as prison contraband. Prison contraband includes food, cell phones, money, drugs, weapons, and gambling materials (Blackburn, 2013). Different kinds of contraband are traded and modified within the correctional facilities against the law. It is argued that almost everything in prison can be classified as contraband even if it appears harmless (Briggs, 2011).
It is important to note that prison contraband does not necessarily need to be dangerous. All items and materials forbidden by a policy are considered contraband without any exemptions (Briggs, 2011). This paper will highlight the effects of contraband in the prison system and some of the steps being taken to control the issue. The correctional function of prisons is undermined in a great way by prison contraband.
There are various ways through which prisoners smuggle contraband into correctional facilities (Briggs, 2011). The first way is through visitation interaction where friends and relatives of prisoners bring contraband in correctional facilities in the course of their visits. Conjugal visits are the most notorious for smuggling contraband especially if prison officers remain lenient in their inspections (Briggs, 2011). There is no way contraband can be introduced in correctional facilities without collaboration between prisoners and the outside people. Prisoners have outside contacts that they rely on in ensuring that all the forbidden items and commodities reach them (Holmes, 2011).
Prison officers and other volunteers working in correctional facilities play a critical role in facilitating the smuggling of contraband into correctional facilities. Prison officers and the general prison staff are in most cases compromised by bribes for them to allow easy passage of contraband into correctional facilities (Holmes, 2011).
Prison walls are another entry point for contraband commodities. Most of the contraband goods are normally thrown over the prison walls by outsiders in collaboration with prisoners (Holmes, 2011). Mails are the least suspicious of all the modes of introducing contraband into correctional facilities. It is easy to smuggle money and drugs through the mail compared to other modes of entry. It is suspected that the majority of prison officers are involved in the contraband business (Siegel, 2010).
Prison officers assist in the smuggling of prison contraband in different ways. The officers can smuggle contraband themselves or create a favorable environment for smuggling. Prison officers can deliberately allow outsiders to smuggle contraband by conducting lenient inspections on visitors and prisoners after visits (Siegel, 2010). Bribery is the reason why prison officers are involved in the smuggling process.
The prison system is affected in a great way by the contraband issue. It is difficult for any correctional facility to achieve its goals if the issue of prison contraband is not addressed (May, 2007). Prison contraband undermines the role of correctional facilities by tainting their image. The constant fights and violence in prisons are in most cases attributed to contraband. The prisoners may fight over the limited contraband or be motivated to cause violence under the influence of drugs (May, 2007).
Prison officers work in fear because the unruly prisoners can use some of the dangerous weapons in their possession to harm them in an attempt to escape or make the prison ungovernable. Prison safety has come under threat as a result of contraband. Many cases of illegal trafficking of contraband take place because the current prison policies have some loopholes that smugglers use in smuggling contraband into correctional facilities (May, 2007). Prison contraband makes some prisoners come out of correctional facilities worse than they went in.
All corrections facilities face the problem of prison contraband regardless of their jurisdiction (Holmes, 2011). It is important for the administration in correctional facilities to put in place adequate contraband control measures as a way of improving safety within the facilities. Every person within the confines of a correctional facility faces a security threat because of prison contraband.
The use of crime mapping methods helps a great deal in enhancing the search process. Careful documentation and technology are very critical in battling contraband (Holmes, 2011). Staff communication and the corporation are very essential in contraband control. Prison officers employ methodical searches in coordination with each other to ensure that all areas are searched in a thorough manner (Siegel, 2010). Everything within the confines of prison is considered to be contraband however harmless it may seem. Prisoners can modify a harmless thing into something dangerous.
Improving working conditions for prison officers is a very important step in contraband control (Siegel, 2010). A well-paid officer will not in any way be tempted by bribes. According to research findings, correctional facilities where the staff is well-remunerated experience few cases of prison contraband. The enactment and full implementation of contraband control laws give prison officers power to deal with the issue of prison contraband (Siegel, 2010).
All the workers in correctional facilities are very important partners when it comes to contraband control. The food service staff makes a significant contribution towards contraband control. There are a lot of things in the kitchen that are classified as contraband the moment they are in the hands of prisoners (May, 2007). The kitchen staff is always under strict instructions not to allow prisoners to get away with anything from the kitchen.
The overt search technique is very instrumental when it comes to contraband control (May, 2007). An overt search is meant to scare those prisoners with plans of smuggling contraband. Overt searches force prisoners to keep away all the contraband that may be present in the prison confines. Regular searches in certain areas help in controlling prison contraband (Holmes, 2011). Overt searches are normally conducted without any notice and are meant to catch prisoners by surprise. Contraband trading is controlled by an integrated communication network that facilitates quick and efficient reporting by the prison staff (Holmes, 2011). Prison officers take note of major events that allow prisoners to smuggle contraband to put control measures in place.
In conclusion, it is important to acknowledge that prison contraband can not be eliminated overnight. It takes the effort of all stakeholders in correctional facilities to deal with the contraband issue. Prison contraband has a significant effect on prison systems and therefore drastic measures should be taken in dealing with the issue (May, 2007). The safety of prisoners and the entire prison staff is always at risk because of contraband.
The correctional function of prisons is in most cases undermined by the influx of contraband in prisons. Prison officers and other employees have a critical role to play in controlling contraband. Investment in high-quality search and security technologies is one of the major steps in controlling prison contraband (Siegel, 2010). The prison staff should be trained on how to deal with the issue of prison contraband. Effective monitoring capabilities are a sign of vigilance in controlling prison contraband (May, 2007). The prison system can only function effectively after the issue of contraband has been brought under control.
References
Blackburn, A. (2013). Prisons today & tomorrow. London: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Briggs, S. (2011). Criminology for dummies. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Holmes, R. (2011). Introduction to gangs in America. New York, NY: CRC Press.
May, D. (2007). Corrections and the animal justice system. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Siegel, L. (2010). Corrections today. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.