The addition of full-body scanners will mean less contraband will make its way through the doors of the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre, according to Ontario's Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Yasir Naqvi announced Tuesday the province will be installing the technology in all 26 adult correctional facilities in Ontario over two years.
"Moving forward with the installation of full-body scanners in all of Ontario’s adult correctional facilities will further improve staff and inmate safety, reduce contraband, and build safer communities for everyone," says Naqvi.
Full-body security scanning systems safely scan bodies for external and internal contraband not detected by existing security measures.
The decision to install the scanners comes after a pilot project at the Toronto South Detention Centre was deemed a success. Over the six-month pilot more than 16,000 scans were completed with 86 inmates identified with possessing contraband, including ceramic blades, pills, and marijuana.
The EMDC will be among the first 11 facilities receiving scanners. It's slated to be installed by the end of March 2017.
The remaining correctional centres, including the new facility that will house weekend inmates in London, will get their scanners in 2017-2018.
The total cost of the scanners, including maintenance on the units over 10 years, is $9.5 million.
