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Body scanners approved for prisons

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On Wednesday, June 15 Gov. Maggie Hassan signed a bill that includes $1.1 million for state prisons and $740,000 for county jails to purchase body scanners.

All inmates, employees, and visitors entering a correctional facility will have to pass through the scanners, which can be used to detect smuggled drugs and other contraband.

The bill, SB 406, was originally written to reclassify some state positions and to clarify some rules for liquor commission funds. The measure to pay for body scanners was added as a late amendment to the bill.

The late addition meant there was no public hearing on the measure in the Senate and no consideration by the Senate Finance Committee. The amendment did get a public hearing in the House of Representatives, however.

Sen. Lou D'Allesandro argued passionately on the Senate floor that the legislature should not rush to pass the body scanner amendment.

"There are elements in this bill that have never seen the light of day, particularly the significant appropriations," said D'Allesandro

Department of Corrections Commissioner William Wrenn also expressed hesitation about SB 406.

"We're not really knowledgeable about this technology and all the legal issues that go along with it," said Wrenn

Bill supporters argued that the state must fight opioid addiction on all fronts, without delay.

"Is there anyone in this room that does not think that we have a problem of drugs in New Hampshire prisons and New Hampshire jails? And if we think there are problems of drugs being in jails, shouldn't we try to do something to stop it?" challeneged Sen. Andy Sanborn. "Or should we vote to do nothing?" 

Sen. Sanborn went on to cite the recent fentanyl overdose death of Jeffrey Pendleton while he was in jail for marijuana possession.

Other Senators pointed out that the appropriations could easily be covered by this year's budget surplus.

Do you support installing body scanners in New Hampshire prisons and jails? Let us know in the comments.

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