The Monmouth County Correctional Institution was the first jail in the state to use X-rays to scan its inmates, officials said.
FREEHOLD - The Monmouth County Correctional Institution is the first correctional facility in New Jersey to purchase and operate a full-body X-ray device to detect concealed objects on inmates, according to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said in a press release that the goal of the equipment is to prevent the smuggling of contraband, such as drugs, weapons, cell phones and smoking devices into the jail.
The Monmouth County Correctional Institution was the first jail in the state to use X-rays to scan its inmates, officials said. (Monmouth County Sheriff's Office) "It's a problem all jails face, and one that we are successfully addressing in an effort to ensure the utmost safety of those whom are sentenced to incarceration in the facility as well as those who work there," Golden said.
The B-scan device, which was manufactured by Smiths Detection, scans the inmates in seven seconds using .25 microsieverts of radiation, which the sheriff's office said is equal to the amount of radiation in one banana.
The scanning machine is being used in addition to the regular searches inmates receive, including a pat-down search when they enter the jail, a hand-held metal detector search and a visual check when they are disrobed in the shower area.
Capt. Rene Roberts, who helped implement the body scanner at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, said the scanner can help identify contraband that is swallowed or hidden in body cavities, which is typically missed during those traditional searches.
"That's crucial, since any contraband that enters an inmate housing unit has the potential to cause an incident that may lead to disruption, injury or death," Roberts said in a release.
Since being installed at the MCCI in November, the scanner has detected drugs, including 30 decks of heroin, a cell phone, a knife and materials to build a weapon, the sheriff's office said.
Approximately 50 corrections officers are trained to use the machine, which cost about $168,000, the sheriff's office said.
Before the X-ray scanners could be used for inmate screening, the New Jersey Legislature had to amend the corresponding legislation, which Governor Chris Christie signed into law in Jan. 2016.
"I commend corrections officials, the Warden's Association of New Jersey and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders who worked diligently to secure legislative support in favor of changes necessary to permit full body X-Ray screening for inmate processing," Golden said. "That determination has helped ensure safety for all at the facility."
Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.