Fed. Court: inmate strip searches legal

A federal appeals court has ruled that strip searches of prisoners entering the Fulton County Jail do not violate their constitutional rights, even without a reasonable suspicion they may have contraband. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday in a lawsuit by 11 former inmates who were made to disrobe with a group of up to 40 others, showered and were visually inspected by deputies before "entering or re-entering the general population" of the jail. The policy was followed even when the prisoners were returning from court to be released from the jail or arrested on a traffic ticket warrant. Circuit Judge Rosemary Barkett dissented. She questioned the
need for strip searches without reason to suspect a prisoner concealed a weapon, drugs or other contraband.

(Associated Press)