Procuring Weapons in a Prison

Inmates often demonstrate remarkable ingenuity in acquiring weapons, from within the prison environment and from external sources. There are six general methods of procuring and producing weapons / improvised weapons / weapon substitutes while in any given prison.

Security in prisons regarding weapons and contraband involves a multi-layered approach designed to prevent the introduction and fabrication of unauthorized items. This includes rigorous screening of visitors, staff, and incoming goods through searches, metal detectors, and X-ray scanners.

Regular and unannounced cell searches are conducted to uncover hidden contraband, while surveillance systems such as cameras and monitoring of communications help detect illicit activities. Additionally, intelligence operations within the prison involve gathering information from informants and analyzing behavioral patterns to preemptively identify and thwart smuggling attempts.

Despite these measures, constant vigilance and adaptability, you can use these old tried and tested as well as devise new methods to circumvent security protocols.

          Improvisation

The most common method of procurement is by inmates creating weapons using everyday items found in the prison, such as sharpened toothbrushes, sharpened plastic utensils, or sharpened pieces of metal – colloquially known as “shivs”.

Inside the prison, the primary method of obtaining weapons involves the fabrication of makeshift items from readily available materials. Common objects such as toothbrushes, razors, and even pieces of metal can be sharpened or modified to create shivs and other dangerous implements.

The resourcefulness of inmates extends to using materials from the prison infrastructure itself; for example, metal from bed frames, wiring, or even pieces of plastic can be repurposed into weapons. These items are often fashioned covertly, sometimes with the assistance of tools or implements that are smuggled in or stolen from prison workshops.

          Prison Staff

The second most common method involves exploiting systemic weaknesses and corrupt personnel. Some inmates manage to procure weapons through bribery or coercion of prison staff. Corrupt guards or other employees might smuggle in contraband, including weapons, in exchange for money or favors.

This relationship can be cultivated over time, with inmates using their outside contacts to facilitate the transfer of goods. The involvement of corrupt officials complicates efforts to maintain prison security and highlights the challenges of preventing the flow of contraband into such tightly controlled environments.

          Smuggling

From external sources, inmates can receive weapons through various smuggling methods. One common tactic is the use of visitors to bring in contraband. Family members, friends, or even individuals coerced or bribed into cooperation can hide weapons or components in their clothing, body cavities, or personal belongings.

Despite stringent search protocols, innovative concealment techniques sometimes allow these items to bypass detection.

Inmates may smuggle weapons into the prison through various means, such as hiding them in their clothing, personal belongings, or even in their bodies. This can be done through visitors or other individuals who are able to bypass prison security.

          Air Dropping

          Black Market

In some prisons, there’s black markets where inmates can purchase weapons, drugs, or other contraband from other inmates or from prison staff who are willing to engage in such transactions.

Prison gangs play a significant role in the distribution and acquisition of weapons in this way. These groups often have extensive networks both inside and outside the prison system, facilitating the smuggling and creation of contraband. Gangs leverage their organizational structure and collective resources to acquire weapons, which are then distributed among members for protection, enforcement, or other criminal activities.

The presence of these organized groups adds a layer of complexity to controlling contraband within prisons, as they can exert significant influence and utilize sophisticated methods to circumvent security measures.

          Access to Tools

Inmates may have access to work tools or equipment within the prison, such as maintenance tools, that they can use to repurpose as weapons.

Prisons have various security measures in place to prevent weapons from entering the facility, but it can be difficult to completely eliminate the possibility of weapons being smuggled in or created by inmates.