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Basic contraband control tools: The mirror

In terms of seeing contraband, there’s nothing quite like the mirror to uncover hidden bootleg

Essentially, there are five ways to discover contraband:

1. We can use a visual search
2. We can feel for contraband when it is not easily seen – with appropriate caution and with an implement, of course
3. In the case of metal, we can also detect electronically
4. We can use the olfactory senses of dogs
5. We can follow up on information from a variety of sources

In terms of seeing contraband, there’s nothing quite like the mirror to uncover hidden bootleg.

Does discussion about the function of a mirror as a contraband detector belabor the obvious? Perhaps this is so. However, we can benefit by reflecting on this basic contraband control tool and its many dimensions.

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Mirrors can be made of glass or polished metal. They can be hand-held or fixed to a handle. Handles can be stationary or telescoping. The mirrors that we employ can be manufactured specifically as contraband control tools or adapted. Either way, the function is the same – to peer into hard-to-see places.

With the use of a mirror, one can scan under a table, a vehicle, a counter or other surfaces without squatting. For example, let’s suppose staff needs to peer under a long row of tables in a quick manner. The mirror makes short work of this.

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Still, haste makes waste. It is true that some offenders will hide things in plain sight under the table. And that could be due to a lack of time or a belief that staff will overlook something that’s out in the open. But less expendable bootleg will likely be place in a less-than-open spot. As time permits, it behooves staff to look next to the table legs and under the furthest reaches of the downward facing surfaces.

As recently noted by a reader, a thorough search of the library is a labor-intensive endeavor. (Please see Contraband in the facility library: 3 contraband search tips for more info). But, this is helped by the mirror. For example, suppose that you need to search the underside of all the shelves in an institutional library. It is not unheard of to have 900 linear feet of shelves to inspect. This is compounded by the book shelves, which can be 18 to 24 inches long, commonly. In the air inward curling shell flips on the outward facing surfaces are also common places to hide contraband. The handled mirror allows staff to see under shelves with limited crouching.

A necessary companion to the mirror is a penlight. Often dark under surfaces need light to determine what is hidden in the shadows. Of course, it takes practice to coordinate both implements.

While useful, it is important to note that the mirrors are only as effective as the thoroughness of the user and the time taken for the search. Some may become complacent and apply a search that just goes through the motions. Granted, staffing and time resources are increasingly limited. Yet, one can become overconfident with a mirror in hand.

Utilities and operational caveats are somewhat obvious. However, not all staff will remember that the mirror is a critical tool and should be treated like one.

In most facilities, one cannot bring in their own mirror without the proper paperwork. In fact, absence of permission, this tool to find contraband ironically would be deemed contraband itself. Of course, as with all critical tools comes inventory inspections at intervals cited by policy directives.

When one thinks about it, a mirror is a simple thing. There are no bells and whistles with this implement. Yet, this basic contraband tool can help uncover the tip of the iceberg of a multilayered contraband scheme.

Joe Bouchard worked in a maximum correctional facility for 25 years and is now retired. He continues to write and present on many corrections topics. He is the former editor of The Correctional Trainer. Bouchard has been an instructor of corrections and criminal justice since 1999. He currently teaches at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College. Bouchard also has online writing clips at www.corrections.com/joe_bouchard. He is also the author of three corrections books for LRP publications and 10 books for IACTP’s series of training exercises books. Order now.

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