New York lawmakers introduce legislation to prevent prison visitation denials based on faulty body scans

New York lawmakers introduce a bill to prevent visitors from being denied prison access due to faulty body scans and to mandate screenings for prison staff.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 6:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Amsterdam News

Addressing Inconsistencies in Security Screenings

In a push for greater transparency within the New York State correctional system, State Senator Julia Salazar and Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest have introduced a bill designed to regulate the use of body scanners. The legislation was unveiled in Albany following a surge in complaints from families who were denied contact visits after scanners flagged non-threatening items. Proponents of the bill argue that the current lack of a standardized secondary screening process often results in families being turned away after traveling long distances, effectively severing vital lifelines for incarcerated individuals.

Proposed Protocols for Secondary Verification

The proposed bill would mandate that if an initial body scan detects a suspicious anomaly, prison staff must conduct a second scan to verify the findings. To prevent administrative errors, the legislation specifies that any staff member with less than six months of experience in operating scanning technology cannot deny a visit without a supervisor’s second opinion. Additionally, the bill outlines corrective measures for employees, including mandatory retraining for those who erroneously turn away visitors and disciplinary actions for staff members who demonstrate a consistent pattern of wrongful denials.

Mandatory Screenings for Correctional Staff

A significant component of the bill focuses on the internal security of Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities. The legislation would require all prison employees to undergo the same regular security checks as visitors, including a rotating cycle of body scans, metal detectors, pat-downs, and canine searches. Lawmakers noted that contraband smuggling continued even when outside visits were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that staff are a primary source of prohibited materials. Currently, most employees are permitted to opt out of body image scanning, a loophole the new bill seeks to close.