Finished week 3 of the Academy yesterday. Thursday was actually very enjoyable. Did clothed personal searches and a grid search out front in the large open courtyard.

Our instructor had two tables full of contraband (n. Any item or substance not authorized by the department or law to be possessed by an inmate or person within the facility (<=Hint: Test question!). It ranged from a normal Bic lighter to a 3 foot lawnmower blade made into a machete.

Our class of 36 was split into two groups and we got to take turns hiding some of this stuff on our person while the other group had to come in and perform clothed searches. You would be surprised how much crap you can hide on your person and even someone doing a REAL “thorough” (another test question!) job can miss. Cuff keys seemed to be the hardest to find which really opens your eyes to the risks we have just showing up for work everyday.

It is a fact.. you will NEVER get it all.. but getting 90% of the contraband off the yard and out of the inmates possession is a huge step.

The grid search was entertaining as well. It was a HUGE space and some of the stuff just blends right into the ground and is easily missed (It didn’t help they had just mowed and didn’t use a bag to catch the clippings!). This was a great learning experience but I am so very ready to get back to work.

3 more weeks!