
If a correctional facility catches visitors smuggling in contraband, they can ban the individual from future visits. The exact criminal charge and punishment varies by state and the type of contraband. If an inmate possesses contraband, or an outside party or guard smuggles in contraband, he or she can face criminal charges. To discover contraband already inside prisons, correctional employees conduct random cell searches. Some prisons also employ video visitations to closely monitor visits.Ĭorrections staff may also have to pass through metal detectors or have their belongings searched. This may include background checks, x-ray scanners, and metal detectors for visitors. To prevent contraband from making its way inside prison walls, correctional facilities take security measures. Hana Marie Colson, the inmate that had received the envelopes, faced charges for receiving and distributing contraband. Jail officials began the investigation after several female inmates tested positive for the drug. Camerone mailed envelopes to an inmate containing strips of Suboxone, an opiate used in the treatment of heroin addictions. In 2012, law enforcement charged Chelsey Marie Camerone with smuggling contraband into the St. Outside contacts, such as family members and friends, also bring contraband into prisons. The officer admitted to accepting thousands of dollars in exchange for bringing tobacco into the prison. For example, a former officer with the Bureau of Prisons FCI Talladega pled guilty in November 2012 for charges of smuggling contraband. Most commonly, guards and other prison staff introduce contraband in prisons after accepting bribes from prisoners. Prisoners may also use contraband to incite violence against other inmates or guards. This provides them easier access to drugs, weapons, and outside connections, which threaten the security of the prison. With the right items and some planning, some prisoners have the potential to turn a small trade business into a prison empire. Trade in contraband and prohibited services help some prisoners build power.
