YAVAPAI COUNTY DETENTION DEPUTIES FIGHTING THEIR OWN WAR ON DRUGS

Published on August 15, 2023

YAVAPAI COUNTY DETENTION DEPUTIES FIGHTING THEIR OWN WAR ON DRUGS

CAMP VERDE ARIZONA (August 15, 2023) – Deputies on the streets aren’t the only ones fighting the war on drugs.  The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Detention Deputies are also on the front lines in their own war on drugs, working diligently to ensure narcotics do not make their way into the jails, and facing the consequences of people coming into the jail in need of detox protocols.

There has been an increase in the number of people entering the jail facilities in need of detoxing that is serious enough to require time in the infirmary and extended medical assistance, with 6 people currently receiving treatment just this week.  However, it is the smuggling of contraband causes numerous problems that threaten not only inmates but staff as well.  Substance abuse in the jails not only increases the chance of an overdose emergency, but it endangers the security and safety of all inmates and personnel through violence and instability.  

To ensure the safety of both YCSO personnel and members of the community housed in Yavapai County jails, our Detention Deputies charged with booking inmates into the facilities are trained in search techniques and have access to a state-of-the-art body scan machine. This machine assists officers in locating any potential contraband that may be brought in by new arrests or self-reporting detainees. From July 2022 to July 2023, deputies have been successful in stopping 112 attempts of smuggling narcotics into the County Detention Centers. “I want to personally thank the detention deputies for their tireless effort and dedication to keeping our jails safe and secure for everyone involved” said Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes. 

The smuggling of narcotics into the detention centers is a crime unto itself and perpetrators will be charged in addition to what brought them to the jail in the first place.  “I want to make it very clear to anyone who thinks about trying to bring drugs into jail with them,” continued Rhodes.  “We will charge you and you will be prosecuted. That one-week jail stay could easily turn into a 5-year prison sentence”.

YCSO is committed to fighting the war on drugs on all fronts, and will continue to serve, protect and safeguard our communities.