VIDEO: Jails Prevent Contraband from Entering and Exiting the Jail

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – We now know what a lawyer is accused of smuggling into the Lee County Jail.

A lawyer was charged for bringing drugs into the Lee County Correctional Facility.

Sheriff Johnson says this is just another lesson for his guards to not be complacent.

Whether they’re lawyers or judges, everyone is subject to being searched.

“We don’t allow any contact visits, we have this particular room set up here that when we are a visitor, and you’re coming in to visit you come in, you sit down on this side of the wall… the inmate is brought in from the other side and then the transmission is made through a controlled, recorded, telephone system,” says Johnson.

This is how Sheriff Jim Johnson insures the security of everyone who enters his facility.

Tuesday, a Randolph man was arrested for smuggling items into the Lee County Correctional Facility.

“The state law does require that the attorney does have the right to a contact visit,” says Johnson.

Jeffery Waldo is accused of staging as a lawyer and exchanging drugs for money with an inmate.

“We did find contraband on the inmate that just visited with the attorney. A statement was given and it turns out that the attorney did smuggle the items in in a briefcase,” says Johnson.

Luckily, because of the strict body search policy, it was found.

Johnson says this is why no outside articles are allowed whatsoever.

“Such as snacks, drinks, and things of that nature. We allow bibles, books and things of that nature but we have a property officer that will tear that stuff to pieces before it’s given back. And sometimes we find things that were attempted to be smuggled in- you got to be diligent 24 hours a day,” said Johnson

Even back where inmates are kept.

“This area back here is a complete secure environment where there is no one from the general public allowed, this and nothing from the outside is allowed back here,” says Johnson.

But Johnson says they still search cells and beds often.

Even guards are subject to a search at any moment.

“We kind of have to police the police as we go along too,” says Johnson.

This is to keep both the guards and inmates safe and prevent any of these materials found, from being used.

Because, as Johnson says, inmates get creative.

“Anywhere in the world, I’m talking expound your brain and they’ll hide it anywhere,” says Johnson.

One of the reasons Johnson is adamant amount proper searchers is because back in 1999 a guard was shot and killed by an inmate because of an improper search.