‘It’s going to greatly reduce contraband from coming into the jail’- Sheriff Wayne Barton

Campbell County Sheriff Wayne Barton points to information about the body scanner (very top photo) that’s in a room near this entrance to the jail.

By Jim Freeman

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – “They’ll do anything to get drugs into the jail. It’s so addictive,” said Campbell Sheriff Wayne Barton. Keeping illegal drugs out of the Campbell County Jail and away from inmates is a constant challenge for the sheriff and his staff.

Grant dollars enabled the sheriff’s department to purchase a nearly $200,000 Tek 84 body scanner earlier this year, and it’s been in use for several weeks. To put that dollar amount into better perspective, the sheriff says that figure bought five patrol units last year.

With Sheriff Wayne Barton (left) are officers who are also body scanner technicians. (Left to right) Nikki Wells, Christina Goodman, Jacob Jones and Catie Wilson.

“It’s really helped us,” said Capt. Cody Chapman. He adds that more than 400 scans have been run since day one. The radiation is very minimal, according to Chapman.

A small container of brown sugar under WLAF reporter Jim Freeman’s belt was discovered by the body scanner.

“We’ve found contraband on 10 individuals with the scanner so far; in pockets, socks, body cavities. The jail should have had the scanner when it first came out, but it’s so expensive,” said Barton.

A magistrate’s office within the intake area was converted to the scanner room. A window was constructed into a door for access from the sally port. Minor construction was needed to accommodate the scanner, according to Barton.

Sheriff Wayne Barton explains this is where officers unload someone they’ve arrested.

CCSO Sgt. Christina Goodman tells that this is where an arrestee is patted down again and the handcuffs are removed.

The scanner also serves as a deterrent. “Since we record and monitor all phone calls, we intercepted one exchange of an inmate encouraging a woman to smuggle drugs into the jail. She refused saying she would not because of the scanner,” said Barton.

The sheriff said the scanner is going to greatly reduce contraband coming to the jail. “It won’t be 100 percent because the human element is part of the equation,” said Barton.

Technician Sgt. Christina Goodman programs the scanner for a body scan.

The scanner trumps pat downs and routine questioning asking subjects “if they have anything illegal on them, like drugs.”

“In the event we have a female inmate tell us she is pregnant, our nurse performs a pregnancy test before we send the m to the scanner. Sometimes images or shadows are not definitive, so we dry cell that inmate. That means they go to a cell that does not have any water, sink, commode, and it helps us determine if they actually had something on them before they go into the general population,” said Sgt. Christina Goodman.

Officer Nikki Wells enters the scan room at the Campbell County Jail.

“If an item is discovered within the body, and the individual will not give it up, we can go to the judge. A search warrant will be issued by the judge, and the contraband will be removed at the hospital,” said Sgt. Goodman.

“We now are able to scan every individual coming into custody. However, this is not a cure all,” said the sheriff. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/26/2024-6AM)

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