If you have a loved one who is sitting behind bars, you may be considering carrying some contraband into the jail or prison. Because incarceration is miserable, some outside comforts may help your friend or relative cope with serving a sentence. You must realize, though, that smuggling contraband into a correctional facility is a serious offense in Georgia.
The CBS affiliate in Macon reports that there have been more than 1,400 arrests for contraband smuggling since June 2010. While this number pales in comparison to arrests for many other crimes, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it is not insignificant. Furthermore, federal, state and local officials have remarked that stopping contraband is a priority for both law enforcement and prison officials.
Prohibited items
Administrators at correctional facilities have a valid reason for keeping contraband out of prisons. That is, prohibited items may endanger the safety of workers and inmates alike. Georgia law specifically forbids the following items from entering a correctional facility:
- Weapons
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Telecommunications devices
- Anything else the warden has not authorized
Clearly, the list of prohibited items is broad, as it includes a catch-all provision. Because wardens in Georgia tend to take a strict approach to contraband, you can expect that transferring nearly anything to an inmate or detained person is likely to violate state law.
Penalties
There are a variety of ways to sneak contraband into a correctional facility. While visitors may carry prohibited items with them, technology also plays a role. Recently, there have been reports of drones dropping cellphones and other items over prison walls. Introducing contraband to a correctional facility is a felony that has serious consequences. Upon a conviction, you may face up to five years in prison for violating state law.
While it can be heartbreaking to have an incarcerated loved one, bringing contraband into the prison is not a good idea. If you are facing contraband-related charges, you must know about the seriousness of the offense. You also must act diligently to defend yourself and otherwise assert your legal rights.