The province has added a new tool for corrections officers to help keep drugs and contraband out of Manitoba jails.
Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced on Thursday, May 16,
The devices use very low x-ray doses to scan the body and produce a skeletal image the will show any foreign objects. This technology will allow officers to confirm the presence of contraband on or inside the body of a target individual.
“Illicit drugs and other contraband present a significant risk to inmates and staff,” said Cullen. “This technology will help keep drugs and other contraband out of our jails while acting as a deterrent for those who would smuggle dangerous substances into our facilities.”
The news technology is expected to save the province $740,000 in the first three years of operation and $440,000 per year each year after.
Prior to the technology being introduced corrections spent about $450,000 per year to staff “dry cells” when a person was suspected of ingesting contraband. Dry cells are rooms without plumbing. In 2017-2018 more than 11,000 hours were spent monitoring these cells.
