The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is taking new measures to ensure the safety of staff and inmates in State Prisons.

Unknown toxic substances have been found more frequently and sickened 18 staff members at three prisons since the beginning of this month.

Officials have also seen an uptick in violence between inmates and assaults to staff. Officials believe this is linked to the contraband.

New training to use personal protective equipment, in-house fire emergency response teams, expanding body scans, and expanding K-9 units are just part of the multi-point plan in combating the new threats.