Forensic Services Contraband Policy

The following items are prohibited

  • Tobacco Products, including electronic cigarettes
  • Alcohol
  • Drugs (Visitor's medication may be held by security)
  • Firearms/weapons/ammunition
  • Cutting items or sharp objects
  • Matches/lighters/fireworks or explosives
  • Cell phones
  • Radios or scanners with law enforcement access
  • Voice recording devices
  • CDs/DVDs/Tapes (Unless identifiable as professionally produced and in original packaging). No CDs, DVDs, Tapes, or Game Cartridges rate "R" or "NC-17," or containing explicit content
  • Stuffed Animals

Notice to Residents, Visitors, and Employees
Forensic Services Contraband Items

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES DEFENDANT PROGRAM, IN A SAFE AND SECURE SETTING, YOU MAY BE SUBJECTED TO A SEARCH OF YOUR PERSON AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS FOR CONTRABAND ITEMS.  SUCH ITEMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

Level 1 Contraband.  Items which may not be brought onto state property (Chapter 916, Florida Statutes) except by law enforcement officers, or Security, in the performance of their duties.

  1. Illegal Drugs.  Schedule 1 Controlled Substances (Section 893.02, 893.03).
  2. Any intoxicating beverage or beverage which causes or may cause an intoxicating effect; (Ch. 916.1085(1)1.) 
  3. Firearms.  Any weapon, including a starter gun, which will, is designed to, or may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by action of an explosive (Section 790.01, 790.001).
  4. Deadly Weapon.  Any instrument which, because of its design and its potential to inflict death or serious bodily harm, is commonly under­stood to be a deadly weapon including, but not limited to:
    • Knives.
    • Dirks.
    • Blackjacks.
    • Billy clubs.
    • Metallic knuckles.
    • Explosive devices.
    • Tear gas guns.
    • Chemical weapons or devices (Section 790.001).

Level 2 Contraband.  Those items or materials not included under Level 1 Contraband which could inflict serious injury on an individual, or could aid a resident in an attempted escape. These include but are not limited to:

  1. Sharps:
    Scissors. (Except for those used by medical or other authorized personnel in the performance of their job duties.)
    Metal forks/spoons.
    Razors/blades (except those issued by staff according to the shaving protocol).
    Tools.
    Metal knitting needles/crochet hooks.
    Weapons (non-deadly, ex: Taser).
  2. Escape Paraphernalia:
    Hacksaw blades.
    Rope.
    Another person's or a second Center ID card.
    Wire cutters.
    Facsimiles of weapons.

Level 3 Contraband.  Those items which outside a forensic center may be perfectly acceptable, but which could be used by residents to inflict harm on themselves or others, or those items that could compromise the confidentiality of residents. These include but are not limited to:

  • Cell Phones (except those issued by the state for official business or specifically authorized by the Superintendent).
  • Glass objects.
  • Metal objects.
  • Metal picks, combs, brushes.
  • Aerosol cans.
  • Fingernail files, nail clippers, and pipe reamers in the possession of residents.
  • Prescription drugs, except as listed in DDDP 95-7: 7e(2).
  • Cameras or camcorders (Except those issued by the state for official business).
  • Voice recording devices (Except for employees using as dictation equipment).
  • Tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes.
  • Lighters.
  • Matches.
  • CD ROM or CD R/W computer discs, 3.5” floppy computer discs, thumb drives (except as authorized for Agency use).
  • CD/DVD/Tapes/Game cartridges in resident possession (unless identifiable as professionally produced in original packaging); staff may have music CDs in their personal office spaces only.  No media rated “R” or “NC-17,” or containing explicit content.
  • Mirrors not incased in plastic are not allowed. (Must be in a compact case).
  • Any materials used to engage in gambling.
  • Cleaning solutions, glue, paint or paint thinners, and musical instruments, except when under staff supervision.
  • Currency, coins, identification cards (including Social Security Cards), bank cards, credit cards, bank checks and money orders in the possession of residents.
  • Dental floss for residents, except that which is prescribed by the dental office and is used with staff supervision.
  • Pornographic and/or otherwise inappropriate magazines, books and reading material.  All reading materials must be reviewed by the Service Team prior to resident access.
  • Radios with access to law enforcement or security frequencies and police scanners, unless issued by the State of Florida and are necessary for the individual to perform the essential functions of their job.
  • Boots and shoes with metal shanks or steel toes for residents.
  • Stuffed animals.
  • Camouflage clothing/caps.

White Tools are tools that Maintenance personnel and outside contractors bring into the secure area to perform the intended service.  White Tools are Level 1 contraband and will be allowed in the secure area only after approval has been obtained from a Security Supervisor. 

  • Hand Saws
  • Hacksaws
  • All power saws
  • Gas Pole Saw
  • Chainsaw
  • Side Cutters/Cutting Pliers/Klien pliers
  • Bolt cutters
  • All torches
  • Mig welders
  • Portable welders
  • PVC cutters
  • Razor knife and blades-Blades must be accounted coming in and out.
  • Chisels
  • Ladders
  • Sledge hammers