In response to growing concerns about safety within prisons in Florida, new changes by way of Senate Bill 1286 have been introduced. As of October, 2020, a new ban prohibits certain contraband. The items newly banned carry risks of threatening the security or safety of either the people who are incarcerated or the facility’s correctional officers. Any person found guilty of bringing in the restricted items will be charged with a felony offense.
Authorities Cracking Down on the Use of Drugs and Cellphones in Prison
Many people in prisons have access to cellphones or drugs that are smuggled in by bribing correctional officers.
The Federal Correctional Institution, Miami, houses around 1,200 offenders. In the fall of 2019, cell searches revealed a shocking 47 amphetamine pills, 25 grams of a leafy material infused with amphetamine, two syringes containing amphetamine in liquid form, 9 cell phone chargers, 54 mobile phones, and one piece of paper infused with opiates. A shank crafted out of a copper pipe was also found.
In an unrelated instance, corrections officers were found accepting bribes in exchange for bringing phone SIM cards, drugs, and cigarettes into prison grounds.
Contraband, Drugs, and Cell Phones Have Caused Decline in Prison Security
Contraband, like drugs and cell phones, have historically proven to be highly dangerous for the security of prisons and their residents. Not just their usage but their high value in a trading economy is a growing problem.
The new amendments are designed to change all of that and prohibit bringing high-risk items into the facility. Since the differences between hemp and marijuana are hard to discern without testing tools, both items will no longer be permitted. The banned list includes various other things like industrial hemp and vaping devices.
Penalties and Restrictions on Visitors
Violations of the new laws carry harsh punishments. Charges for a third degree felony will apply, including up to a five years prison term and fines as high as $5,000. Both convicted offenders and prison staff are expected to comply with the new regulations.
The authorities are taking additional steps to curb the entry of contraband into prison facilities. Family members will only be allowed to visit on one weekend every two weeks. Making purchases at vending machines is also banned since visitors are known to hide banned substances in innocuous items such as potato chip bags.