FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2005

TDOC IMPLEMENTS REGIONAL DRUG DOG PROGRAM TO HELP COMBAT PRISON CONTRABAND

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner George Little today welcomed a new arsenal of weapons in the fight against illegal drugs in the prison system.   Six regional drug dog teams have completed a specialized 11-week training program with the Tennessee Department of Safety and received their certification in a ceremony held this afternoon at the Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville.

“The Department of Correction is extremely fortunate to now have a specialized canine program that will be used statewide for the specific purpose of helping to combat illegal drugs from being smuggled behind our prison walls,” said Little.  “These drug dogs will act as a unique tool for prison security to use in the search for contraband like marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine with their specially-trained noses.”

In April 2005, Senator Doug Jackson (D-Dickson) proposed re-establishing a drug dog program within the Department of Correction in order to enhance public safety by preventing illegal drugs from being smuggled into the prison system.  The department received a state appropriation of $481,000 for FY 05-06, and $288,000 in recurring dollars to keep the program properly funded.

Six drug dog teams, two teams per region, have been selected and trained over the past three months.  Correction officials teamed up with canine trainers with the Department of Safety to properly train staff to be drug dog handlers, and also for assistance with canine selection.

"Drug dogs and their handlers will now play an important role in keeping prisons safe,” said Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips.  “We believe these K-9 teams will be successful in finding hidden contraband that threatens the security of both prison staff and inmates.  The Tennessee Department of Safety has been pleased to assist in this effort by training the Department of Correction’s newest weapon against drugs.”

“We thank the legislature for appropriating the necessary funds to implement a drug dog program and the Department of Safety for providing this specialty training for our staff and canines,” Little added.

TDOC dog handlers also drafted the departmental policy outlining use of the drug dogs and the K-9 program manual.

For more information on the Department of Correction, log onto our Web site at www.tennessee.gov/correction.

 
Send comments and questions to TDOC's Webmaster.