Stephens County Jail to Receive Tek84 Body Scanner Funded by Opioid Settlement Grant

On Tuesday night, November 26, 2024, the Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a Tek84 Intercept body scanner for the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office. The equipment will be utilized in the Stephens County Jail to enhance contraband detection.

The body scanner, which costs approximately $178,100, will be funded by an opioid settlement grant issued to Stephens County in 2021. Sheriff Randy Shirley emphasized the importance of the technology in addressing challenges posed by the opioid crisis. “This state-of-the-art technology will significantly improve our ability to detect contraband, including illegal substances that may be smuggled into the facility,” said Shirley.

The Tek84 Intercept body scanner, developed in 2018, is the only American-made scanner designed to detect both metallic and nonmetallic threats, including drugs, weapons, and cell phones. Using low-dose x-ray technology, the scanner provides a high-resolution image of individuals from head to toe in a 3.8-second scan, identifying hidden items under clothing or within the body.

“This is a liability for the county,” County Commissioner Chuck Wright said at a previous meeting. “Even if it happens one time, that’s one time too many.”

The approved scanner includes advanced features such as a wall-mounted touchscreen monitor, photo-matching capability, and an ICI thermal scanner for detecting health concerns. It is expected to help reduce the smuggling of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and weapons into the facility.

Sheriff Shirley expressed gratitude to the Stephens County Board of Commissioners and County Administrator Christian Hamilton for supporting the initiative. He highlighted the scanner’s role in enhancing jail security and contributing to ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in the community.