Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Drug problem at MCSD jail?

Is there a drug problem at the McHenry County Jail? I don't mean with prescription drugs; I mean with illegal drugs.

Being a rather naive, simple man, I wonder how drugs would ever get into the jail. Who has contact with prisoners? Who could possibly carry in illegal drugs?

Number one, I guess prisoners could carry drugs in when they are arrested. "Could", I say, because they are supposed to be searched; first, when they are arrested and before being transported to the jail and, secondly, upon arrival at the jail. So that "should" rule out drugs' getting in that way.

How else? Food. Could drugs be smuggled in by food workers? Always possible, I guess. But how would they get the drugs to the prisoners while preparing or serving food. Having never been a "guest" in Keith's Diner, I don't know the process for food prep or service. Is it mess-hall service, where prisoners go through a serving line like a school cafeteria or military mess hall? I doubt they get table service with waiters asking, "May I take your order now, please?"

Commissary? Prisoners order food, snack and personal items (the infamous 15 oz. bottle of shampoo for over $3.00) from Stellar Corp. Could an employee there pack up some drugs into certain orders? Who maintains the security of the order after it leaves Stellar Corp.? For example, during transportation to the jail? And how about upon arrival at the jail? Who inventories the incoming order and arranges it for distribution to prisoners? Could drugs be inserted at that step of the order delivery?

Who else has contact with prisoners? Corrections Officers. But wait! Surely, you wouldn't think that a salaried employee of the jail, screened carefully, hired, trained, supervised, would ever think of smuggling drugs into the jail! Would you?

Sometimes, the drug dogs are brought into the jail to search the prisoners' cells. On the surface, this is really pretty stupid, isn't it?

Do the dogs ever go through the locker room and staff offices of the jail personnel? You know, check out the wallets, purses, gym bags, clothing, lockers, drawers (the metal or wooden (!) drawers, I mean) of the employees? Maybe even go down the line and let them sniff each employee?

How about some surprise visits by the drug dogs? No 48-hour warnings, providing time for laundry or dry-cleaning of clothing or uniforms. Sort of like a fire drill. The dogs just show up, allowing no time to move illegal property around where it can't be found.

Maybe the rumors of drugs in the jail are just that; rumors. I hope so. Comments, anyone?

No comments: