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More than 300 LEOs conduct pre-dawn sweep of Ala. prison

This is ADOC’s third operation of a major correctional facility in a move to find and remove illegal contraband

Stephanie Taylor
The Tuscaloosa News, Ala.

BRENT, Ala. — More than 300 law enforcement officers conducted a pre-dawn raid Wednesday at the Bibb County Correctional Facility, confiscating makeshift weapons, drugs and phones from inmates.

The major joint operation was led by the Alabama Department of Corrections included officers from several agencies. The officers gathered at 4 a.m. to search the prison that houses 1,813 inmates in Brent.

This is ADOC’s third joint operation of a major correctional facility in a deliberate move to find and remove illegal contraband, a leading cause for violence and criminal activity inside state prisons, said department spokesman Bob Horton.

ADOC conducted the first joint operation at St. Clair Correctional Facility in February, followed by a contraband sweep of the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in April that yielded contraband including drugs, weapons and phones.

By mid-day Wednesday, officers had recovered 37 weapons, synthetic drugs, Suboxone, pills and cellphones at the Bibb County facility.

“The ADOC is committed to providing a safe workplace for our employees and protecting those who are in our custody,” ADOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn said in a release. “These joint operations are one of the many important steps our Department is taking to reduce the presence of contraband in our facilities, which will create safer environments for all. We are committed to continually improving facility safety, as well as other focus areas outlined in our recently released 2019-2022 Strategic Plan.”

He asked the public to contact ADOC Investigations and Intelligence Division at 1-866-293-7799 with information that may lead to the arrest of anyone attempting to introduce illegal contraband into state prisons. The public may also report suspicious activity by visiting the ADOC Website.

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©2019 The Tuscaloosa News, Ala.

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