Background: According to DOC, one of the greatest risks to operating safe and secure facilities is the introduction and movement of contraband, whether it be weapons, tools used to aid escape attempts, or illegal drugs that disrupt normal operations and cause health and safety concerns. Strip searches allow for greater visual certainty that the individual is not concealing contraband on their person, and are often conducted when incarcerated individuals have had contact with the public, or when the individual returns from working in areas of the facility with access to items such as tools, equipment, and supplies. Strip searches also offer secondary benefits by identifying health and safety concerns such as self-harm behavior, illegal drug use, or signs of fighting or assault. DOC policy requires strip searches to be conducted by two employees of the same gender as the individual being searched, except in limited circumstances.

In 2018, the Legislature provided funding for DOC to install a body scanner at the Washington Corrections Center for Women as a pilot project to reduce strip searches. DOC was required to collect data on its change in practices, benefits or issues with using body scanners, and provide a report to the Legislature.

DOC reported in December 2019, that after installation of the body scanner, they found:

a reduction in average employee time for searches;
enhancement of the safety and security of the facility from the increased discovery of contraband concealed in body cavities; and
other benefits to both employees and inmates from not having to perform strip searches.

With the use of the body scanner to screen individuals, strip searches are only performed if there is a positive or suspicious body scan, the individual is being placed into restricted housing or a mental health unit, or in an emergent situation where the individual cannot be transported to the scanner location safely and securely. DOC reported several issues with using body scan technology instead of strip searches, including that some scans still required additional screening and monitoring, the scanner was permanently installed in one location, and addressing individuals with positive body scans.

Summary of Bill: Subject to the availability of funds, DOC must purchase and install state-of-the-art full body scanners at each correctional facility by July 1, 2024, unless DOC determines a body scanner would not be cost-effective in reducing contraband or improve officer and inmate safety at the facility. DOC must provide appropriate custody and nursing staff levels for each installed scanner, and adequate staffing for searches and monitoring if a body scan indicates the presence of contraband. Scanners may use transmission x-ray technology, but must use millimeter wave technology and be able to detect narcotics or contraband under clothes and in body cavities. DOC must seek to minimize inmate exposure to harmful radiation and use recognized best practices when conducting body scans.

DOC must issue a biennial report on the effectiveness of the body scanners and include data on officer and inmate assaults occurring before and after implementation of the body scanner. By November 1st of each even-numbered year, DOC must submit the report to the Governor and relevant legislative committees.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HUMAN SERVICES, REENTRY & REHABILITATION COMMITTEE (Proposed Substitute):

Requires, subject to appropriations, DOC to install a body scanner at Monroe Correctional Complex by July 1, 2021;
Requires DOC staff to complete radiation safety and body scanner operation training prior to operating the scanner or reviewing a body scan image;
Prohibits DOC staff who operates the scanner from being the same staff who interprets the body scan for contraband;
Allows a person with a positive scan to be placed on dry cell watch for up to 72 hours;
Requires a medical check every eight hours while on dry cell watch;
Requires DOC to develop a gender responsive alternative to continuing to place the individual on dry cell watch after 72 hours that considers the risk level and history of the individual;
Adds false positives, number and length of time on dry cell watch, and the alternative developed by DOC to the existing annual reporting requirement; and
Defines contraband and dry cell watch.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Strip search is embarrassing for inmates and embarrassing for staff. Within first two months, found more contraband than found in entire year. There are benefits across the board. Incarceration is largely punishment but also rehabilitation. If we can not provide a rehabilitative environment, then we are not doing best for inmates. Scanners are effective. DOC has flexibility to install the body scanners where it makes the most sense.

CON: Know of multiple women that had false positives who had to spend multiple days in dry cell watches. It is barbaric and humiliating. Inmates are forced to drink prune juice so inmates will have a bowel movement. Staff is unresponsive to requests to use the restroom. In theory, body scanner is amazing and better than strip search. The issue is not with the scanner but with the dry cell watch policy, and lack of training on how to read the scans and accountability. There are also women who experience retaliatory actions from staff who read the body scans and there should be a safeguard in place by using anonymous readings.

OTHER: Main concern not about the body scanners but about the dry cell watches that follow a positive scan result. Recommending that DOC implement an improved policy, procedure, and training manual before any additional scanners are installed and operated. Body scanners are supposed to be a gender responsive, trauma-informed alternative to invasive strip searches. An unintended consequence is that the dry cell watch is a traumatic experience for the women in the pilot. Need to make sure there is a gender responsive dry cell watch policy. Recommend a limit be placed on the length of time a person can spend in a dry cell or that an alternative be explored passed a certain time frame. Need more detail on the impact of dry cell on incarcerated population, lessons learned from the pilot, and how DOC will improve the body scanner process based on the pilot. Respect for human dignity does not stop at the prison door. Before we look to expand pilot across the state, stop to look at unintended consequences such as false positives and alternatives to extended dry cell watches.

Washington Corrections Center for Women employees in the pilot have also experienced unintended consequences. With the introduction of the body scanner, there has been a huge increase in overtime because of increased staff supervision required for the dry cell watches. These positions have not been backfilled. It will be hard to expand if we do not fund positions to do the work.