They are everywhere and few of us seem to see them. In a way, they are like a light switch or a fixture. Mostly, they are taken for granted. But, they serve as a dangerous hiding place. They are bulletin boards.
Prisoners are provided with a bulletin board in most lower level facilities. But, they are not restricted just to those facilities. Many believe that they help an offender organize papers. Further, prisoner morale can be bolstered with them. This is a place to post personal photographs, drawing and letters from home. Of course, the bulletin board is not inherently evil
A nefarious use of the bulletin board is as a hiding place. Of course, this is unintended by the manufacture. Still it occurs.
For the purpose of this, we think of a bulletin board as a framed corkboard adhered to the wall by screws at each of the four corners. Here are questions to consider during the search:
- How is the bulletin board adhered to the wall?
- If there are supposed to be four screws, one at each corner, are they still there?
- Can items be easily slipped behind or is the bulletin board seamlessly attached to the wall?
- Is there something hidden in the seams of the frame?
- When removed, is contraband taped to the back of the cork board?
- Is any contraband recessed to further hinder detection?
- For an effective search, does the board have to be removed or can a thin piece of cardboard aid in the search?
Some may look at the prospect of searching 240 bulletin boards and deem it as futile. Of course, initiative, the time available, safety, and instructions from up the chain of command are factors in the search. There is also the factor of necessity. A tip or a suspicion may lead to a search of a particular corkboard.
In the end, contraband control is not a game. However, bulletin board bingo is a way to use a modified check list in order to search for weapons and intelligence. Enterprising offenders may be able to conceal small flat items there. But staff is armed with knowledge to counteract these methods of concealment. What you find may surprise you.
| BULLETIN BOARD BINGO | ||
|
Piece of fence
|
Razor |
Love letter |
|
Contraband photo
|
Cell phone
|
Map of facility |
|
Gang roster
| Exempt policy directive | Screw(s) missing from corners
|
This is a bulletin board bingo card. It is like a check list for items that could be hidden behind most bulletin boards. Three uses come instantly to mind:
- This could be used as a training tool for facilities that have a simulated housing unit or series of ‘dummy’ cells. The first staff to find all items in a row could win a small prize and/or bragging rights.
- The card can be modified to fit the training needs of the facility. If, for example, metal clasps from large envelopes are missing, that could be an item on the card. (These can be fashioned into cuff keys.
- The bingo card can also be used in an actual search during a mobilization.
As with lists like this, it is a critical tool. It is for staff purposes only and would be potentially dangerous in the hands of prisoners.
