NCJ Number
191616
Journal
Prison Review International Issue: 1 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 68-71
Date Published
July 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses trace detection technology.
Abstract
Reducing drug use in prisons and other justice facilities has always been fraught with problems because of the difficulty in detecting narcotics brought in by visitors or mailed in packages. Despite attempts to control the influx of drugs through the use of closed circuit television in visiting areas or increased use of drug dogs and personal searching of visitors, large amounts of controlled substances continue to penetrate many facilities' security systems. Recently developed trace detection devices are designed to prevent drugs from entering prisons. Itemiser and VaporTracer are two trace detection devices with a number of applications, from screening visitors to searching inmates' cells. EntryScan is a walk-through vapor and particle narcotics and explosives detection portal. It collects vapors and particles from the natural flow of air generated by an individual's body heat. It can also be used to detect the minute amounts of vapors given off and microscopic particles left behind when narcotics and explosives are packaged and handled.