Once Butler County Prison receives its new equipment, sneaking items around will be almost impossible.

The prison board at its Tuesday meeting approved the purchase of three ultrasensitive metal detection towers, said Warden Joe DeMore.

The towers can be mounted on a wall and used as inmates or items such as mattresses are passed by it. They can also be mobile so they can detect in various areas of the jail as needed, DeMore said.

DeMore said there is no single incident or situation at the jail that necessitated the purchase.

“It will just help tighten up security,” he said. “It's a better means to search inmates, mattresses and possessions.”

Each of the machines costs $12,000.

The jail now has hand-held detectors, but they are not as sensitive as the new models.

According to the brochure, the detectors are 72.6 inches high and able to sense very small contraband items, from razors to tattoo needles.

A detector will process up to 40 inmates per minute, is safe for pregnant inmates or those with pacemakers, and will detect metal objects inside an inmate's body.

“Any way to keep contraband out of the facility, we'll look to bring that technology on board,” DeMore said.

He hopes to have the detectors within the next month.