Pubdate: Thu, 25 Oct 2001 Source: Indianapolis Star (IN) Copyright: 2001 Indianapolis Newspapers Inc. Contact: http://www.starnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/210 JUSTIFICATION NEEDED FOR STRIP SEARCHES Our position: Jails should end automatic strip searches of inmates. The practice has been abused and has made local governments vulnerable to lawsuits. In Marion County, jailers must suspect an inmate is hiding weapons, drugs or other contraband before conducting a strip search. That should be the policy in all of Indiana's jails. Though the practice of strip searching jail prisoners varies widely, counties have begun to move away from the controversial practice. Those that continue the searches could find themselves embroiled in cases such as the one faced by Hamilton County. A woman prisoner there claims that she was wrestled to the floor while taking a shower and her underwear removed by three officers, two of them men. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Department said jailers acted when she refused an order to disrobe completely. Hamilton County's policy on strip searches, which has been changed since the lawsuit was filed last week, was similar to the one in Floyd County that required strip searches for all prisoners before they were placed in the general inmate population. Floyd County's policy was ruled unconstitutional by a U.S. District Court earlier this month. Whatever happens in the Hamilton County case, the jailers' behavior raised serious questions. The incident appeared to be an example of how not to conduct a search. The prisoner was called out of her cell in the dead of night to take a delousing shower, which could have waited until morning. Her clothes were removed in the presence of male officers, and according to the lawsuit, taken off by a man. There were at least two female officers on duty at the time who could have been summoned to subdue the 107-pound prisoner and remove her remaining clothing. If more force were needed, male officers could have assisted in placing her in restraints. In addition, there appeared to be no good reason for placing the prisoner naked in a holding cell with an open window and camera in an area with male officers. In 1999, the Indiana Sheriffs Association recommended that counties end strip searches unless there is reasonable suspicion that a suspect is concealing contraband. If they haven't already, county sheriffs who run the jails should take note. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth