A new effort at the Marion County Jail aims to stop drugs from entering the facility via the mail.
The drugs are smuggled into jail through “legal mail” which is actually fake mail made to look like legal documents and soaked with substances including the prescription opioid replacement drug suboxone and spice.
It’s an ongoing problem according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, MCSO, and a few years ago they started photocopying personal inmate mail.
Now the jail will also photocopy “legal mail” and give inmates a copy while the original documents are examined for drugs.
The sheriff's office said it examined more than 20 such cases in 2020.
MCSO Deputy Chief and Jail Commander, Tanesha Crear said the move will help keep people safe.
“Drug addiction is a constant battle within the Jail, and I am hopeful that our vigilant screenings and aggressive prosecution will both save inmate lives and protect staff from harm,” Crear said.
The office warns of federal trafficking charges if people are caught.
