Correctional Officer Basic Training - Contraband and Searches (COBT 157)

Vocabulary flashcards covering contraband definitions, contraband sources, search types, body search rules, and tactical execution techniques based on COBT 157 training materials.

Contraband

Any weapon, tool, intoxicating substance, drug, gambling item, bartered item, obscene material, unauthorized money, or prohibited article that can be used to effect an escape, aid in an assault or insurrection, or conceal contraband.

Individual Search

A search conducted on an offender's person to find contraband concealed there, authorized at an officer's own discretion.

Routine Search

A pat and frisk search conducted with the offender clothed (which may include removal of hat, shoes, and socks) to search the person, clothing, and pocket items as a first line of defense against contraband.

Complete Search

A search involving the removal of all clothing, dentures, and artificial limbs, accompanied by a visual search of the entire body and body cavities, as well as a frisk of all removed clothing.

Body Cavity Search

The probing of body orifices conducted by medical personnel in a medical setting when a complete search has not produced suspected concealed contraband; requires authorization by the Warden or designee and an incident report.

Outside Sources of Contraband

External avenues through which contraband enters a facility, including visitors, contractors, vendors, over/under/through the fence, newly admitted offenders, temporary leaves, mail, outside medical trips, court trips, and transfers.

Inside Sources of Contraband

Internal origins of contraband within a facility, including work areas, offenders, staff, mass movements, facility trash, meals and dining areas, unauthorized use of canteen items, and unauthorized use of tools and hobby craft materials.

Rules for Body Searches

The five foundational principles for conducting searches: 1) Be systematic, 2) Work from top to bottom, 3) Take your time and concentrate, 4) Be thorough and concentrate, and 5) Be objective and professional.

Common Areas of Concealment

The eight body areas most commonly used by offenders to hide contraband: waist, groin, below the knees, rectum, mouth, armpits, folds of the flesh, and back.

Zone 2

The positional zone where an officer maintains situational awareness and informs the offender of the routine search procedure and expectations before starting the search.

Zone 4

The tactical position behind the offender (preferably strong side Zone 4) from which the officer cautiously approaches to execute the physical search steps.

Back of the Hand Search Technique

The mandatory searching method using the back of the officer's hand (with thumb down or thumb tucked) applied when searching the chest/breast, buttocks, and groin areas.

Foot Search Safety Rule

The safety prohibition specifying that an officer must never search an offender's feet with their hands, relying strictly on visual inspection after shoes and socks are removed.

Reasons for Complete Body Search

The three designated operational objectives for initiating a complete body search: to control the flow of contraband, to maintain sanitary standards, and for operational safety and security.

Complete Body Search Protocol

Rules requiring complete searches to be performed by same-sex staff out of sight of opposite-sex staff and offenders, without physical touch, without needing reasonable suspicion or probable cause, and permitting random, unannounced execution.