I was in the same situation as described in the article about the drug scanning device. My problems have been with Somerset Prison in southwestern Pennsylvania. On two occasions I was refused a contact visit because the drug sniffer falsely identified me as having drugs. Both times I had my young son with me. Do you know how embarrassed I was, not only in front of the other visitors, but mostly with my children! At Somerset prison, in the non-contact visiting room they don't have a wire mesh nor do they have a phone to use. They have a length of what I think is PVC pipe in the wall. You can't hear a thing! The room is small and VERY, VERY hot and stuffy. I was told by the guards on duty that I shouldn't handle any money prior to the visit, don't stop for gas, don't touch any door handles, don't use hair spray, don't wear perfume, no body powder, even no makeup on my face. I was also told my laundry detergent could set it off. Come on! Get real! Naked is not an option. What can I do? I was told that I should wash my hands with ICE water so it closes the pores, but then I was told I'm not allowed to wash my hands prior to the scan. I drive a Blazer and it takes a minimum of 3 hours to get to Somerset from my home. If I don't stop for gas as soon as I get off the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I'm going to be walking to the prison! I need to get gas. I thought about wearing those disposable rubber gloves before I get to the prison, but they are (1) very hot, (2) they have powder inside, and (3) people tend to look at you funny when you pay for gas with rubber gloves on. They think you're going to rob them. I also have to say that I do NOT now, nor have I ever done drugs of any type. I wouldn't even know it was a drug if it were sitting in front of me on a table. I've also witnessed the guards entering the prisons. Not one of them was ever scanned for drugs. I also saw the vending machine men come and go. Not one time were they ever scanned. I believe 100% that when drugs enter the prisons, it's NOT from any visitors. It's from the staff. Let's face it, some prison guards don't get paid enough to suit them. As we all know, drugs bring in a lot more money than a 40 hour work week does! It's just another way for our wonderful system to screw the innocent! It's a power trip. Why do the prisons continue to use a gadget that they know doesn't work? Intimidation.

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