Body scanners to be installed at jail
A donated body scanner capable of detecting contraband hidden inside inmates may soon be operational at the Ray County Jail. However, the machine is currently being kept in storage as officials must first finalize appointments to the Law Enforcement Restitution Fund Board and jail renovations before authorizing funds for installation.
The scanner, valued at $160,000, was given to the county after being decommissioned from a larger facility. Before it can be used, it must be professionally installed, calibrated and registered according to radiation safety regulations. That process alone will cost more than $18,000, most of which covers an extended warranty.
“That $18,000 covers technician travel, labor, parts and shipping, support, preventative maintenance visits – everything,” explained Ray county Sheriff Gary Blackwell. “When you’re taking prisoners through it and they may throw a fit and tear it up, that’s probably $18,000 well spent.”
The machine will reduce the need for…