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Council restores $130,000 for jail body‑scanner upgrade to meet health rules
Summary
Pierce County Council approved a $130,000 proviso to Sheriff Corrections for a body‑scanner technology upgrade, citing Department of Health imaging/dosage rules and officer safety.
The Pierce County Council voted to add up to $130,000 to the Sheriff Corrections budget to support an upgrade to body‑scanner technology used in county jails. Council members said the hardware was already in place but that recent Department of Health guidance required adjustments to dose settings that reduced image clarity; the upgrade will allow the department to maintain compliance while preserving usable image quality for contraband screening.
Council staff and corrections representatives explained the appropriation covers software and technology upgrades rather than new hardware. Andrea Kelly (council staff) said the funding will permit the department to comply with WAC dose limits while obtaining clearer images that are necessary to detect contraband. Supporters emphasized officer safety and the public‑safety benefits of effective screening.
The amendment was adopted by voice vote and the council directed the sheriff's department to report back when the upgrade is completed.
