Think Twice...you Could Be Prosecuted!

[ohiogirl]

This article was in the News Herald today (Ohio). I would never do this as a visitor!

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You just can't stop jailhouse smugglers

Tracey Read Staff Writer 06/15/04

Not even heightened security measures a match for crafty visitors

As director of the Cuyahoga County Jail, Ken Kochevar has seen it all.


Inmates trying to smuggle drugs inside the jail in their babies' diapers.

Concealing tobacco in the pages of a magazine.

Girlfriends hiding balloons full of cocaine in their mouths and passing the drug to their incarcerated beaus through seemingly innocent kisses.

Despite ever-increasing security, there is no end to what inmates and their visitors will try to sneak into local jails.


"Normally, you think of contraband - something you're not permitted to have - as weapons," Geauga County Sheriff Daniel McClelland said.


"But you also get a less- threatening level of contraband as well. You have to be careful. They'll say it's fruit and use it to make jailhouse hooch."


By far, the most popular contraband confiscated at the Geauga County Jail is cigarettes. Some of the ways inmates attempt to smuggle them in are quite creative.


For instance, Geauga County Jail Administrator Lt. Robert A. Phillips said he confiscated a lighter and cigarette inside a can filled with non-dairy creamer during an unannounced jailhouse "shakedown."


Another time, someone hid a lighter in the middle of a box of Trivial Pursuit cards.


Then there was the guy who created a papier-maché-like material out of a sock.


"That could have hit someone in the head," McClelland said. "You have to be vigilant and watch for items that are normally allowed, like a sock or a bar of soap. They're OK on their own, but if you put the two together, it becomes a weapon.


"Some of the plans are quite sophisticated. Sometimes they'll make furniture you can sit on out of newspapers and plastic ties. They can actually fashion them into weapons or hide cigarettes or other contraband, which is a security concern."


McClelland said there's a good reason underwire in women's bras is outlawed at the jail.


"A piece of wire can become a handcuff key, as well as a weapon," the sheriff explained.


"About 10 years ago, we had a female inmate held by the throat with a piece of coat hanger."


Kochevar said it's become more difficult to get contraband in at the Cuyahoga County Jail since the facility did away with contact visiting in the early 1990s.


"We had drugs conveyed in on a regular basis when we had contact visiting," he said.


"Unfortunately, sometimes employees may be the ones bringing contraband in. We've had to fire (employees) for bringing in drugs to inmates."


Even maximum-security prisons are not immune to smuggling attempts.


On May 27, a mother and son from Madison Village were arrested for trying to bring OxyContin and marijuana into the Mansfield Correctional Institution.


Diane Rinaldi, 64, and Pasquale Cisternino, 33, were charged with felony counts of illegal conveyance onto the grounds of a correctional facility.


Rinaldi faces up to 11 years in prison if convicted. Her son could get up to five years behind bars.


In Ashtabula County, people are constantly trying to get cigarettes and drugs inside the building, Jail Administrator Lt. Joseph Bemme said. Often, items are passed back and forth in the visiting area.
"They're usually caught, and if we catch them in the act, we're not afraid to prosecute," Bemme said. "Everybody's always trying to see if they can get something by us, and it usually doesn't work."

[1sassysistah]

Isn't it amazing what makes the news headlines?? What is even more amazing is the things people think of to smuggle in. All in a days work.

[1nonlyTeRe]

I know a woman who got caught smuggling in drugs to her guy.. the next day at visitation the CO's were so strict and on their feet all day watching you.. it's crazy.. my honey has told the many ways people sneak things in.. they do get creative..

[mlle_keiko]

OY...always someone has to spoil things for the rest of us...This past visits there was someone who got caught smugling and they were sitting next to us...talk about a scary situation...when 8 CO's swarm down on your area and you're thinking are my kids getting out of hand...some visitors said next weekend we can expect the drug dogs to be there...UGH!!!

[Truth Seeker]

Why not lift bans on smoking? And ok, on soft drugs??? :-)

[PillowBiter]

Why was my post deleted? Its true, cigs can be used for money?

[babygirl350]

Originally Posted by PillowBiter

Why was my post deleted? Its true, cigs can be used for money?

I don't know why your post was deleted, you would have to ask the powers that be that question. However, you are right, cigs can and are being used as money where cigs are permitted still. Since most of our prisons, the inmates can't handle money, their bargaining is cigs, and postage also sometimes, however both are disallowed by the institutions to "pay" with.
Remember Hope is a good thing, it springs life eternal.

[Kyla]

Its crazy to risk something like that, not only your visits, but perhaps spending time behind bars yourself. Also, it is dangerous, because bringing contraband in, can cause stand overs, not a nice situation for someone you love to be in.
Just my opinion, I would never risk it.

[babygirl350]

Not to mention loss of visitation (probably permanent), also a write up for your loved one and perhaps outside charges as well.
Remember Hope is a good thing, it springs life eternal.

[Forever_Lovers]

Soft Drugs????? Please Explain.

Originally Posted by abelle

Why not lift bans on smoking? And ok, on soft drugs??? :-)