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Alabama Prison Enlists State Law Enforcement to Help Find Contraband

The Alabama Department of Corrections has enlisted more than 300 law enforcement officers from seven state and local organizations to track down contraband in a north Alabama prison.

By Melissa Brown

The Alabama Department of Corrections has enlisted more than 300 law enforcement officers from seven state and local organizations to track down contraband in a north Alabama prison. 

Prison officials on Thursday announced the operation was underway at St. Clair Correctional Facility in Springville, northeast of Birmingham. The widespread search is for a range of illegal items, "ranging from drugs and illegal cell phones to makeshift weapons," ADOC said in a release. 

In December, the department announced it was beefing up its internal investigative division in a bid to cut down on inmate "criminal activity" as well as internal corruption. 

The same month, ADOC's associate commissioner responsible for all prison operations chose to retire amid a misconduct allegation. He was suspended in September, though ADOC has provided no information about the nature of the misconduct allegations.

“Illegal contraband brought into our facilities poses a significant threat to the safety and wellbeing of our correctional staff and it compromises public safety as a whole,” said Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn. “This joint operation demonstrates our department's commitment to protecting those who serve on the frontlines in our correctional institutions, and it sends a powerful message to those who choose to break the law by introducing, accepting and/or using illegal contraband in our state prisons.” 

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