Toilet paper snowman among items confiscated at Lane County jail
By Elissa Harrington KVAL NewsEUGENE, Ore - A noose made of mattress lining. A tattoo gun made from duct tape and a ballpoint pen. A snowman made of toilet paper. These are just some of the items confiscated from inmates at the Lane County Jail. As Lieutenant Ewing with Lane County Corrections explains, these items are known as "contrabands." They're items not distributed by deputies, like a bottle of vodka found in an inmate's pant leg. Contrabands are also items modified for use other than their original purpose. For example, a toothbrush handle widdled down to resemble a sharp knife. Lieutenant Ewing says they find these on inmates all the time. "In some cases they have nothing but time on their hands, 24/7," says Lieutenant Ewing. "And they commit that time to thinking about escaping, harm to the deputies, harm to other deputies or just to occupy time." Inmates are disciplined for making these items. For example, a doll made from paper napkins would be confiscated. The inmate might receive a verbal warning. An inmate using a shank made from a plastic spoon could be charged with a felony." Lieutenant Ewing says many of the objects made are lethal. He shows us a zip gun made from a rolled up magazine, toothpaste tube, pencil, and a 9 mm round. It was used by an inmate who tried to escape. Lieutenant Ewing say so far, none have actually made the break they were hoping for but have injured other inmates and deputies. As for what Ewing thinks of these creative criminals? "It's disturbing," he says. "But it's amazing what some of these inmates come up with." |
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