By C1 Staff
WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Wis. — After an inmate nearly died from a heroin overdose, the Winnebago county is considering spending $200,000 on a body scanner to search incoming inmates.
The Northwestern reports that the consideration comes after an alarming increase in contraband in the 355-bed facility.
Inmate Andrew Parisi is accused of providing heroin to an inmate who overdosed, having carried the drug into the prison in his anal cavity. He had been allegedly carrying it for six days.
Jail deputies administered Narcan to the overdosing inmate after being told by another inmate that heroin was involved. He was then taken to the hospital and recovered.
When inmates are brought into the Winnebago County Jail, staff conduct a pat down. While strip searches are, by state law, allowed on some inmates, they cannot uncover contraband hidden inside an inmate’s body, according to the Northwestern.
To perform a body cavity search, a warrant would be needed unless the inmate gave their consent. The inmate would also have to be taken to a medical facility.
No correctional facilities in Wisconsin currently use body scanners. It would be paid for with funds from the inmate trust account.