Pubdate: Wed, 25 Feb 2004
Source: Jacksonville Daily News (NC)
Copyright: 2004 Jacksonville Daily News
Contact:  http://www.jacksonvilledailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/216
Author: JANNETTE PIPPIN

PRISON LOCKS DOWN

NEWPORT - Carteret Correctional Center has little problem with illegal 
drugs and other contraband appearing on the prison campus and 
Superintendent Duncan Daughtry said he intends to keep it that way.

So when his staff recently found several inmates with drugs, he made a 
first-time request for assistance from the Department of Correction Drug 
Interdiction Team that serves the eastern region.

The team is one of five in the state that travels to prisons conducting 
unannounced searches of people and vehicles entering prison property to 
stop the flow of illegal drugs and other prohibited items.

Daughtry said the interdiction conducted this past weekend at the Newport 
facility was a show of zero tolerance.

"In the two weeks prior to this we found drugs on the person of some of the 
different inmates A. which was an indication to us that they were getting 
it from somewhere. Predicated on that, we requested the interdiction," he said.

A road block was set up in the prison's driveway between noon and 4 p.m. on 
Saturday and searches were conducted as visitors arrived for their regular 
visitation with inmates. The interdiction team, which brought in three 
trained dogs, worked with prison and police officers to seek out any drugs 
or contraband hidden on a person or in a vehicle.

During that time, four drug charges were filed, including three for 
possession of marijuana and one for possession of drug paraphernalia, 
Daughtry said. There were also three weapons-related charges, including one 
involving possession of a stolen pistol and two for possession of a 
concealed weapon.

Daughtry said there was also one charge of possession of alcohol and one 
person identified as a fugitive from Guilford County for failing to appear 
in court on an unrelated felony.

Had the alcohol, drugs or weapons made it into the prison, they could have 
created a dangerous situation.

"These items can cause dangerous situations to occur within the prison 
facility and we have zero tolerance for bringing them in and we will deal 
with it," Daughtry said.

Daughtry said the prison has had few problems with drugs and contraband 
getting into the facility. He saw the weekend interdiction as a proactive 
step to keep a problem from developing.

"We saw what was arising and knew it was time to nip it in the bud," he said.

While searches for drugs and contraband have long been conducted at North 
Carolina prisons, the five interdiction teams have only been formalized 
since July 2001, said DOC spokesperson Keith Acree.

At that time, DOC received a federal grant that was used to purchase six 
trained dogs and assist with training for the officers to handle them. 
Prior to the current program, there was only one trained dog available for 
use in the whole state, Acree said.

While Daughtry had not requested an interdiction team prior to last 
weekend, he said he will do so again.

"Based on the results Saturday, I plan to have more (interdictions) in the 
future," he said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Perry Stripling