OKALOOSA COUNTY JAIL SECURITY

A new security device now being used at the Okaloosa County Jail has reduced the amount of illicit drugs smuggled by mail to inmates in the facility. A “VeroVision Mail Scanner” is now scanning each of the roughly 150-200 pieces of mail that arrive at the facility each day. Stefan Vaughn, director of the county Department of Corrections, says the scanner has detected illegal drugs in more than 40 pieces of mail over the past several weeks. Each scan takes about eight seconds and information on senders is provided to law-enforcement for criminal prosecution. The scanner cost about $115,000, but no taxpayer money was used to purchase it. It was paid for with money from inmate benefit funds, which are generated by inmate spending on commissary items such as snacks and hygiene items.