Surprise State Prison Search Turns Up Cache Of Contraband

Members of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections newly established Strike Force uncovered a large cache of contraband items during a surprise search of the Mack Alford Correctional Center on Wednesday.  

Prison officials say a team of officers along with eight K-9 units conducted the search at the Stringtown prison and recovered cell phones, drugs, tobacco and other items, some of which was concealed inside a prison wall.

• 19 cellphones and 23 chargers
• 15 lighters
• 10 hands free devices
• 6.38 grams of marijuana
• 2 screwdrivers
• 2 syringes
• 4 mp3 players
• 7.93 grams of tobacco
• 100 ounces of alcohol hidden in five 20 ounce bottles

Corrections Director Joe M. Allbaugh says while inmates are getting more creative in hiding the contraband, DOC's efforts to rid the state's prisons of the contraband are only going to increase.

“The attempts to conceal contraband seem to be getting more desperate and creative,” said Allbaugh.

“Teams have found items in ceilings, locking mechanisms of doors, books and now in the wall. One thing I will promise the inmates - we are going to continue our all-out assault on removing the contraband from our facilities and places we contract with. The inmates need to know there are no secrets in prison.” 

1/14/2016 Related Story:Oklahoma Prisons Go High Tech To Confiscate Inmate Contraband