(a) The Commissioner of Correction shall ensure that the following procedures are implemented at each correctional institution in the state:

(1) Any visitor who activates a walk-through metal detector shall be given the opportunity to submit to a search with a portable or hand-held metal detector in order to gain entrance into the correctional institution. If the visitor consents to a search with a portable or hand-held metal detector, the visitor shall be escorted by a correction officer of the same sex to a separate room, restroom or other private location within the correctional institution, where the visitor shall first remove any object or article of clothing that activated the walk-through metal detector and then submit to a portable or hand-held metal detector search. If the portable or hand-held metal detector is not activated during such search, the visitor shall be allowed to reapply the object or article of clothing that activated the walk-through metal detector before exiting the separate room, restroom or other private location where the portable or hand-held metal detector search is conducted and shall be allowed to enter the correctional institution. If the portable or hand-held metal detector is activated during such search, the visitor shall be escorted out of the correctional institution.

(2) Any visitor who consents to a portable or hand-held metal detector search pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection in order to visit an inmate of the correctional institution shall be afforded the entire time allotted for such visit, commencing from the time such search is completed and the visitor is cleared for entrance into the correctional institution, except that (A) this subdivision shall not be construed to require a correctional institution to extend or change its regular visiting hours, and (B) the amount of time afforded to any such visitor shall be reduced by the amount of time the visitor is late in arriving for a scheduled visit at the correctional facility.

(b) For purposes of this section, “correctional institution” means the facilities defined in section 1-1 and any other correctional facility established by the Commissioner of Correction.

(P.A. 04-162, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 04-162 effective June 1, 2004.