[tootiefrute]

We have all heard or seen the shanks and tools used in prison. Has any one seen medical supplies used as weapons in prison? Inhalers, lancets, pill bottles etc. I am really curious on what to be on the look out for. If anyone could give me the heads up I would appreciate it.

[Jarnaes]

Never underestimate anyone in the prison environment. Some of the things inmates create are absolutely amazing and ingenious, this includes everything from weapons to artwork. Know the rules of your facility, and keep your guard up at all times. Inmates are almost like dogs... they can smell fear or weakness.

[tootiefrute]

Trust me I know. I am just curious becuse my facility issued them their inhalers and I am very curious as to the weapons they can make with this stuff. Has anyone seen it done before? I don't trust these guys as far as I can throw them, and I want to make sure I aware of the threat before it happens.

[Jarnaes]

They have 24/7 to think of a way to make a weapon out of an inhaler... I would just assume that it could be made into a weapon. It's just a matter of time before someone will misuse the privilege and do something stupid.
Just curious, are you working in federal, state prison, or county jail setting? How many inhalers are out there in population?

[JailHouseTeer]

always expect the unexpectable. Some have nothing else better to do than think up stuff!

[Ion]

Inmates will reach into a sharps container and pull out syringes. They usually use them for intravenous drug injection, or a tattoo gun. The real threat is the threat the needles pose is to officers doing cell searches and pat downs.

Restricted access to other items like scalpels are fairly obvious. Some less obvious are large nail clippers (they cut through a chain link fence) or dental floss (used to saw through steel bars, make "fishing lines" to pass stuff even in a lock down unit) or latex gloves (used to make a sling shot, or as a very bad condom).

One of the simplest, but effective weapons is a lock in a sock (or other weight in the sock) that is swung to hit the victims head. This frequently results in skull fractures and internal head injury.

The real threat and problem is the inmate. This is the same outside a prison where the threats are not guns, knives or mag-lights, but the threat is always bad people.

Be sure you recognize the threat is always a bad person and not an object. Some people kill and hurt without any weapons at all.

Until we come up with a different solution than hiding bad people from society for a period of time (jail/prison), there will always be bad people.

[AHCANJS]

Mostly I have seen medical supplies used as "marital aids" if you catch my meaning. (gloves + tongue blade + gauze...or inhaler + glove...)
Lately, they are using inhalers to alter drug delivery and smuggle substances as rescue inhalers are permitted to be "kept on person" or "carry med"
OD or alleging OD to get to outside hospital
By and large I think medical stuff is used to barter for other things rather than weapons at our place. Custody is very vigilant.

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by AHCANJS

Mostly I have seen medical supplies used as "marital aids" if you catch my meaning. (gloves + tongue blade + gauze...or inhaler + glove...)
Lately, they are using inhalers to alter drug delivery and smuggle substances as rescue inhalers are permitted to be "kept on person" or "carry med"
OD or alleging OD to get to outside hospital
By and large I think medical stuff is used to barter for other things rather than weapons at our place. Custody is very vigilant.

I must be incredibly dense!! I had to really think out the "marital aid" issue.
Inmates will use anything. There are some days that I just have to sit there and think about what they are really trying to get and why. Our current policy is that an inmate can't get another inhaler until the old inhaler is turned in. Guess that doesn't prevent smuggling, only the use as a weapon. These guys are masters of manipulation!!!

[tirzo13]

When giving an insulin injection they will break off the needle while its still inserted, then simply drop the used syringe in the sharps while you watch.
you really have to make sure and watch them, AND have them show you the needle is still part of the syringe.
they can use it for IV drug use, and tattoo guns, but also part of a spear.
what they do is roll up newspaper or magazines into a mini spear, and will place one or more of the needles on the tip, and smear it with feces or whatever, and when someone opens the food port they will jab you.
its not meant to take you down, just serves a purpose to assault staff.
i'd not want a needle smeared with feces jabbed into my arm or hand or whatever they could reach.
thats just one of the simple things they do, they have alot of times on there hands.
they think of many tools, and combos of drugs that will create date rape drugs or whatever.

[uraqt2]

The one thing to ALWAYS remember is that inmates have 24 hrs a day and 7 days a week to think of ways to alter ANYTHING to use against staff or other inmates. I've been in corrections for 7 years now and have seen many interesting things. At our facility we don't really give the inmates an opportunity to obtain syringes or lancets, as insulin must be administered in front of nursing staff. However, I have seen inmates use pill bottles and eye drop squeeze bottles used as a means to propell on staff. I have also seen tape and bandaids used to make shankes. Really the point is that inmates are very creative and can use anything to their advantage.