A Message from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office . . . . .
Sheriff Terry Maketa
SECURPASS Unveiled at Criminal Justice Center
For anyone who recently has had the occasion to conduct business in the Pre-Admit area of the Criminal Justice Center lately has undoubtedly seen our newest tool to further safety and security in the facility, SECURPASS. The addition of the SECURPASS instrument is the culmination of several months of planning, construction, SOP rewrites, installation and training. With the advent of SECURPASS, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has once again taken the lead in utilizing state of the art technology as we become one of only a hand full of agencies in the United States that employ a SECURPASS instrument.
Simply stated, SECURPASS uses an extremely low level of x-rays to produce a full body scan of incoming inmates. The subject inmate simply stands on a movable platform and looks down at the bottom of the instrument. When appropriately placed on the platform, the scan begins. The inmate takes a short ride, from left to right, while x-rays move through the individual from the lower portions of the SECURPASS. Almost instantly, a full body scan image appears on the associated computer monitor for examination by the operator.
SECURPASS allows us to view the interior of the human body to the extent that we are able to see ingested contraband, any materials that have been left in pockets, or concealed on a person. Although the need for strip searches will not be entirely eliminated, it is hoped that SECURPASS will significantly reduce the need for such intrusive procedures.
An individual would have to ride through SECUREPASS approximately four hundred (400) times before they received radiation exposure equal to one (1) chest x-ray. This device is not for everyone that enters the facility. It is safe for those with pacemakers; but we will not subject pregnant individuals to the screening or combative individuals until they have become compliant.
The total cost for SECURPASS was $210,150 and I am happy to report that it was paid for by funds we received for housing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) inmates. Installation took approximately one and one-half weeks. Hands on training has been afforded to all who will be tasked with operating the instrument. In keeping with my core beliefs of safety and security for our employees, as well as the inmates that we are charged with housing in our detention facility, I am confident that SECURPASS will prove to be a valuable asset in preventing contraband from entering into secure areas.
I would like to offer a special, “thank you,” to all of those involved with the successful completion of this vital project. For those of you that have not yet had the opportunity to see SECURPASS in use, feel free to stop by Intake and Release to see SECURPASS in action.
- Sheriff Terry Maketa
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