A southwest Ohio jail has halted use of an inmate scanning machine because state health rules don't allow it.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Hamilton County Jail had been using the scanner since 2012, and it had detected a small gun, screwdriver, pocket knives, balloons full of drugs and other items hidden on or inside inmates.
However, state inspectors last August ordered the jail to stop using the SecurPass full-body digital scanner because it uses radiation.
Ohio Health Department spokeswoman Tessie Pollock says state administrative code prohibits the use of an X-ray unless it is prescribed by a physician.
Sheriff Jim Neil says the rules are antiquated. He says the company that makes the scanners says they use little radiation and aren't dangerous.
