SEARCHES HELP KEEP DRUGS OUT OF PRISONS

Again, Larry Bumgardner [Letters, Dec. 10] has put his mouth in gear
before putting his brain in gear.

It isn't just a claim that most of the contraband comes into prisons
through visitation, CV passes, home passes and work release. The facts
and figures confirm it as a fact.

Contrary to Bumgardner's assertion, the correctional officers are
doing their jobs. The inmates returning from the aforementioned
activities are strip searched. The inmates have ingenious ways of
hiding contraband.

Bumgardner stated that inmates had told him that drugs were easier to
get in prison than the street. For his information, there is no simple
and inexpensive way to combat drugs other than the ones we are using.

I did not brag about the drug interdiction. There were arrests for
those who had drugs. One woman had an ounce of pot and a bottle of
Oxycontin. Most were given citations because the officers could not be
tied up during the interdiction. The warrants were issued later.

The moment you come on to state property you are subject to a search
(DOC policy) and as a matter of state law. The search was perfectly
legal.

Bumgardner takes inmates out on CV passes and is to be commended for
his work. However, it seems that the inmates fill his head with
nonsense and he believes every word. Most inmates would not know the
truth if it hit them in the face. Hard to believe that he could be so
naive.

W. Sewell

Durham