It's been about a year since the county agreed to purchase three ultrasensitive metal detection towers for use at the Butler County Prison, but Warden Joe DeMore said he would not breach security to discuss how they're working.

The towers, DeMore told the county commissioners last year, are mounted on a wall and scan inmates or items, such as mattresses, passing by.

They are also mobile and detect contraband in various areas of the jail as needed, DeMore said last year.

DeMore decline last week to talk about the security measures when asked if the detectors revealed contraband at the prison.

“I'm very happy with how they work and definitely glad that we purchased them,” DeMore said.

Each machine cost $12,000, and can detect very small items, from razors to tattoo needles, according to the company brochure.

DeMore also could not say or approximate how often the machines are in use.

“It depends on what pops up operationally,” DeMore said.

Asked if he feels word has gotten out about the detectors and caused a decrease in contraband attempts among inmates, DeMore said, “I'm not going to speculate.”

However, he pointed out the detectors are an asset to the jail.

Sheriff Mike Slupe, chairman of the county prison board, also could not comment on the specific results of the towers, but called them “very successful.”

“They are an asset to the prison,” Slupe said. “Because of the technology, they are going to find things.”