Sheriff to purchase body scan device

Sedgwick County commissioners have approved the purchase of a full body scanner for the sheriff's department.   Major Glenn Kurtz says this will be used to search county jail inmates for any contraband items, and it's more efficient than a "pat-down" search.    Kurtz says it will benefit the safety and security of the inmates and the jail staff. 

The system is similar to the body scanners that are being used now by the Transportation Security Administration at the nation's airports.   The $134,000 cost of the equipment will be paid with funds from a telephone contract for the collect phone calls that are made by inmates.