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Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) is the sixth largest prison system in the United States, employing nearly 24,000 personnel responsible for more than 45,000 inmates incarcerated within 67 facilities across the state. Of those facilities, 34 are classified as institutional State prisons.
Within its geographically diverse and complex prison system, GDC conducts routine shakedowns to find and remove contraband, including weapons, illegal substances, cellphones, and other prohibited items from inmates’ cells and personal belongings.
Antonnio Printup, GDC’s director of special operations, noted that the traditional labor-intensive manual searches were time-consuming and often ineffective. These methods lacked a reliable mechanism to inspect fixtures like plumbing, furniture and walls without disassembly. Manual searches also risked property damage and posed safety concerns for both inmates and staff.
“In the Georgia heat, our search teams were becoming overheated due to the physical nature of our search methodologies and the time it took to work through one housing unit and move on to the next,” said Printup. “This, combined with the possibility of exposure to deadly substances or coming into contact with weapons, posed significant risk to the health and safety of inmates and staff alike and were very serious issues that we were concerned with at our facilities.”
Fixed X-ray machines were available but could not be moved throughout facilities, Printup noted.
A shift in approach
To address these challenges, GDC embarked on a mission to improve safety measures and enhance contraband detection by exploring new X-ray technologies. The goal was to find a portable, efficient and effective tool to aid security staff.
GDC established a strict set of criteria for their evaluation, including true portability, superior detection capabilities for fixtures and personal belongings, rigorous staff training and operator safety. After testing various handheld X-ray scanners, the Nighthawk BTX X-ray imager by Viken Detection emerged as the preferred choice. It offered portability, efficiency, and the ability to detect both metallic and organic contraband, alongside comprehensive training and support.
GDC deployed the Nighthawk BTX imagers across its Special Operations teams statewide. Staff received hands-on training to ensure effective use and a smooth transition. The user-friendly interface and real-time imaging provided confidence in its accuracy and reliability. Printup credits the leadership’s willingness to embrace innovation as a key factor in the program’s success.
Results with the Nighthawk BTX X-ray imagers
Teams of two to four officers now perform detailed searches quickly and accurately, inspecting areas previously inaccessible. The results were immediate, with more recoveries and greater productivity.
Printup shared, “Viken joined us earlier this year on a Special Operations shakedown, and within minutes, their Applications Expert located contraband hidden inside an electrical outlet. Throughout the day, they found numerous phones, weapons and other items.”
The success of the Nighthawk BTX X-ray imagers has inspired GDC to explore additional applications, such as vehicle searches and use with K-9 interdiction units. The department is also leveraging Viken’s Broadwing transmission bar to extend detection capabilities and deploying the Foxhound portable narcotics analyzer for substance identification.
Foxhound capabilities
Building on the Nighthawk’s success, Viken Detection introduced the Foxhound portable narcotics analyzer. This compact device uses advanced spectroscopy technology for on-the-spot substance identification, eliminating the need for extensive laboratory equipment.
The Foxhound enhances contraband detection by identifying a wide range of narcotics and illicit substances, providing search teams with a powerful, portable tool.
Integrating the Foxhound alongside the Nighthawk imagers further strengthens GDC’s detection capabilities, creating a safer environment for staff and inmates. Viken Detection’s commitment to innovation ensures correctional facilities have access to cutting-edge contraband detection solutions.
Conclusion
As early adopters of modern contraband detection technology, GDC’s leadership encourages other states to embrace innovation and rethink traditional practices. GDC’s forward-thinking approach and successful implementation of Viken’s tools demonstrate the impact of embracing change to improve safety and operational efficiency.
“One of the biggest things to consider is to try and break free of how you used to do things,” said Printup. “You have to be open to new ideas, solving problems differently and using technologies in ways beyond what you might have originally intended.”