CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Today the Centre County Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of a body inspection system for the county prison. 

The system allows for non-contact inspections for inmates, and will be able to detect everything a prisoner is carrying, including weapons and drugs, like Fentynal, which was smuggled into state prisons early this year.

The commissioners say this will keep everyone safer

“This will improve the safety and security for the incarcerated individuals, our staff, visitors, all around, and so this is a prudent use of some of the funds we have set aside for security,” said Michael Pipe, from the Centre County Commissioners.

We’re told the machines will have minimal radiation, one-400th of an x-ray at the hospital.

“It’s something I think will not only enhance our safety, but we know that the safety of the community is also looked after as well because a lot of these folks are going to be going out for work release and a lot of other of activities outside, and as they’re coming back and forth from the facility, we can assure it’s safety,” said Centre County Commissioner Steve Dershem.

The commissioners signed a 2-year agreement for the machine, and bought a 5-year warranty on it.

We’re told it will be put into use after it’s certified by the department of environmental protection, which can take days or weeks.

The total cost of the machine is $113,000.