Penalty for contraband in detention facilities advances

A bill that would create an offense for bringing prohibited items into a detention facility was advanced from general file Jan. 17.

LB415, introduced by Cortland Sen. Norm Wallman, would make it a Class I misdemeanor to bring prohibited items into a detention facility, provide them to an inmate or for an inmate to possess them.

When contraband is brought into jail facilities for prisoners, Wallman said, it destabilizes the security of the jail and compromises its staff. Facilities are increasingly dealing with such situations and more significant penalties are needed, he said.

A Judiciary Committee amendment would require that any items prohibited by the detaining authority be listed on a sign that is clearly posted and visible to all persons entering the detention facility.

Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha, the committee chairperson, said that the public should be adequately notified about what items are considered contraband because the penalty for bringing contraband into facilities is so significant.

The amendment was adopted 34-0 and LB415 advanced from general file on a 35-0 vote.