Policy Glossary

C | R

Contraband

Includes illegal items, explosives, deadly weapons, alcoholic beverages, drugs, tobacco products, controlled substances, and any item that is controlled, limited, or prohibited on the grounds or within the secure perimeter of a correctional facility as defined by Department and facility policy.

Referenced by:

Reasonable Suspicion

Individualized suspicion, which is based on specific objective facts in conjunction with rational inferences which correctional staff would be entitled to make based upon their judgment and experience, and which reasonably warrants suspicion that the referenced individual is either possessing, or secreting contraband, or has committed (or is about to commit) a violation of institutional rules or regulations or has committed (or is about to commit) a criminal offense. Individualized suspicion shall be specifically directed to the person who is the subject of the potential search. Factors which should be considered include: 1. The nature of a tip or information. Is the information specific as to: a. Date, time, location, and b. Persons involved? 2. The reliability of the informant. Has the informant provided information in the past which has proven accurate because the information: a. Led to the recovery of contraband, b. Resulted in an arrest and/or a prosecution in the community, c. Resulted in an infraction, or d. The segregation of the accused offender? 3. The degree of corroboration: a. How believable is the information supplied by the informant in view of the facts as they are known? b. Have other sources supplied similar information? c. Does the informant have a reason to falsify information concerning the subject of the information? 4. Other facts contributing to suspicion, or the lack thereof: a. Pertinent information revealed by a pat, electronic, or strip search of the offender. b. Pertinent information revealed by a container, vehicle, electronic, or pat search of the visitor(s), contractor(s) or vendor(s). c. Information supplied by other sources. 5. A positive canine alert of the individual must be supported by one or more of the elements identified above.

Referenced by: