Jail to intensify searches of visitors

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile County Metro Jail is stepping up its random searches of visitors.

It's the latest effort to crack down on illegal contraband, and the searches are not just confined to friends and family.

Visitors who have direct contact with inmates at the Metro Jail could now face added security checks. The Mobile County Sheriff's Office says it's an effort to intensify the random search policy that's already in effect.

"Anybody that goes back in the jail is going to be subject to search for contraband," Sgt. Joe Mahoney said.

The random search will not include strip searches for visitors. The policy of full-body strip searches is for inmates only.

Over the past six months, the jail, which houses an average of 1600 inmates, has seen an increase in illegal contraband, according to officials. That includes everything from weapons and drugs, to cigarettes and cell phones.

PHOTOS: Prison Contraband

Mahoney said it's not just family and friends who sneak the stuff in.

"That is the case a lot of times, but we're also seeing it come in through other means through the visitation in the attorney section, bondsmen, we have vendors coming in the jail," he said.

Mahoney said sometimes the offenders may not think they're doing anything wrong.

"If you use an attorney or bondsman as an example they may at that point think they're not doing anything wrong by bringing in just a couple of cigarettes for a guy,” Mahoney said. “But what's going to happen is that one inmate has a cigarette, then another one's going to want one."

Mahoney says that sort of domino effect can cause problems for correctional officers trying to control the inmates.

So, the message is simple.

"We have a variety of people that come in the jail on a daily basis that, in the past, maybe have not been searched, but starting today everybody is going to be subject to search," he said.