LONGVIEW — The Cowlitz County Jail will soon become the first correctional facility in Washington state to use a body-scanner to prevent new inmates from smuggling drugs and other contraband into the jail.
The Daily News reports authorities will start using the body scanners on Sept. 19. The scanners can identify anything concealed under clothing or inside a person’s body cavity.
Capt. Chris Moses says the scanner takes seven seconds to scan an inmate. All new arrestees will be scanned before joining the rest of the inmates, with a few exceptions.
Moses says the scanner will be far less intrusive than a strip search, which can take 10 to 15 minutes.
Moses says body scanners are being used in many jails throughout the country.
