SOP_NUMBER: 226.04
TITLE: Weapons and Contraband Log
REFERENCE_CODE: IIB01-0010
DIVISION: Facilities Division
TOPIC_AREA: Entry/Search/Emergencies/Escapes
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2020-11-12
WORD_COUNT: 738
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106156
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/226.04/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes procedures for logging weapons and contraband items discovered during facility searches in Georgia correctional institutions. Staff must document all findings on the Weapons and Contraband Log, including the date, item description, location, discovering employee, offender information (if applicable), disciplinary actions, and court warrant status. Facility leadership reviews logs monthly and submits reports to regional directors, who consolidate them for the Field Operations Director.

KEY_TOPICS: contraband, weapons, contraband log, facility search, illegal contraband, nuisance contraband, evidence storage, disciplinary action, warrant, security procedures, offender possession, facility security

ATTACHMENTS:
  1. Weapons and Contraband Log
     URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/226.04-att-1/
  2. Monthly Summary of Weapons and Contraband
     URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/226.04-att-2/

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FULL TEXT:
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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Weapons and Contraband Log|**Policy Name:**Weapons and Contraband Log|**Policy Name:**Weapons and Contraband Log|
|**Policy Number:** 226.04|**Effective Date:** 11/12/2020|**Page Number:** 1 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|


**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**







The control of contraband is a critical component of the security procedures of a
facility. Georgia law requires the control of illegal and unauthorized items in
correctional facilities. When weapons and Contraband are found during searches, they
shall be logged and shall include the date, brief description of the item, location where
found, employee who found the item, the offender’s name and GDC ID number, if
specifically found in an individual’s possession, whether disciplinary action was filed,
and whether a warrant was sworn in local court.


**II.** **Authority:**

A. O.C.G.A. §§ 42-5-15, 42-5-16, and 42-6-18;

B. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 125-3-1-.05(b) and 125-3-1-.06; and

C. GDC Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): 206.02, Management of Offender

Property or Contraband; and

D. ACA Standard: 5-ACI-3A-42 (ref. 4-4207).


**III.** **Definitions:**

A. **Contraband**    - Property items which are not explicitly authorized for possession;

which are acquired through unauthorized means; which exceed personal property
limitations on value or amount’ which cannot be maintained in a neat and safe
manner, or which present a fire, sanitation, security issue.

B. **Nuisance Contraband**    - Any item or article which may be or may have been

authorized for possession, but which is now prohibited because of excessive
quantities or otherwise presents a fire hazard, sanitation, security, or housekeeping
problem.

C. **Illegal Contraband**    - Any item or article that is illegal in nature as defined by

State or Federal Law; any item or article that poses a serious threat to the security


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Weapons and Contraband Log|**Policy Name:**Weapons and Contraband Log|**Policy Name:**Weapons and Contraband Log|
|**Policy Number:** 226.04|**Effective Date:** 11/12/2020|**Page Number:** 1 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



of the institution and is ordinarily not approved for possession or admission into
the institution; any item (weapon) which could be used to cause injury to an
individual.

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**

A. The following information shall be recorded on the Weapons and Contraband Log,

Attachment 1. ( **Note: Nuisance Contraband shall not be recorded on this log** ):

1. Date that the weapon or Contraband was found;

2. A brief description of the item found;

3. The location where the item was found;

4. The employee who found the item;

5. The offender’s name and GDC ID number, if found in an offender’s

possession;

6. The disciplinary actions taken against the offender; and

7. Whether or not a warrant was sworn in local court.


B. Disposition of any Contraband recorded on the Weapons and Contraband Log,

Attachment 1, shall be done in accordance with SOP 206.02, Management of
Offender Property or Contraband. All Contraband will be stored in the secure area
designated by the Warden/Superintendent. For the facilities that have designated
evidence lockers in their outside mailrooms, the procedure set forth by the Office
of Professional Standards will be followed.

C. The Warden or Superintendent shall review all Weapons and Contraband Logs,

Attachment 1.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Weapons and Contraband Log|**Policy Name:**Weapons and Contraband Log|**Policy Name:**Weapons and Contraband Log|
|**Policy Number:** 226.04|**Effective Date:** 11/12/2020|**Page Number:** 1 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



D. All facilities shall complete and submit the Weapons and Contraband Log,

Attachment 1, to the respective Regional Director at the end of each month.
Reports with negative findings are to be submitted to ensure that all facilities are
accounted for. Reports are to be received no later than the 10th day of the month.

E. Each Regional Director will consolidate the reports of their respective facilities

utilizing the Monthly Summary of Weapons and Contraband, Attachment 2. The
summary report along with individual facility reports will be forwarded in a single
package to the Field Operations Director's office by the 20th day of the month.

**V.** **Attachments:**

Attachment 1: Weapons and Contraband Log
Attachment 2: Monthly Summary of Weapons and Contraband


**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:**

Upon completion, both attachments shall be maintained for one (1) year and then
destroyed.