SAN QUENTIN, CA - AUGUST 15: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officers patrol San Quentin State Prison's death row adjustment center on August 15, 2016 in San Quentin, California. San Quentin State Prison opened in 1852 and is California's oldest penitentiary. The facility houses the state's only death row for men and currently has 700 condemned inmates. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
California – Starting today, anyone entering a California state prison, regardless of whether they are a staff member, attorney, or loved one, will be subject to canine searches under a new policy from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The department says the goal is to curb the flow of illegal drugs and contraband into prisons, but critics warn the policy could further strain families and erode basic rights.
An internal CDR memo obtained by CalMatters obtained dated March 10 outlining the policy. It states the canine searches are intended “to combat the introduction of illegal drugs and contraband… and reduce the overall level of narcotics, contraband, and criminal activity within the incarcerated population.”
Under the new rules, visitors — including attorneys — who refuse a search will be denied contact visits. In some cases, refusal could lead to being barred from all CDCR facilities. Prison officials will decide when and how searches are conducted, raising concerns about the lack of clear guidelines or transparency.
The CDCR has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years over drug use and trafficking within prison walls. While the department has blamed visitors for smuggling in contraband, critics argue that the problem lies primarily within the system itself.
“We know where the contraband is coming from,” said Kate Chatfield, executive director of the California Public Defenders Association. “It’s coming from the employees of the institution. But they are blaming everyone. This will have a real adverse impact on the ability of people to visit incarcerated people.”
A 2023 report from the Office of the Inspector General found that drugs continued to infiltrate prisons during the COVID-19 lockdowns — when visits were suspended entirely. The report recommended better use of canine units, noting the department had not fully utilized its own dog detection program.
Still, critics say the blanket search policy overreaches, especially when it comes to families and legal counsel. The department’s new approach comes amid continued fallout from past abuses. Last year, a woman received a $5.6 million settlement after being sexually violated during a strip search while visiting her husband in prison.
“This is scary,” said Christina Brown, executive director of Bridges of Hope, a nonprofit that supports families of the incarcerated. “Families already endure emotional and financial strain to maintain a connection to their loved one. Being subject to these searches, even if they’re innocent, deters future visits because they won’t want to go back.”
While CDCR insists the policy is about institutional safety, the memo’s silence on how often searches will occur leaves open questions about oversight, consistency, and accountability. As the policy rolls out statewide, families, attorneys, and advocates are bracing for its impact.
