PORTLAND, Ore. — Department of Corrections officials told the Public Safety Subcommittee on March 11 they are seeking to expand technology and programmatic measures to reduce contraband and increase safety, including body scanners, drone detection systems, body‑worn cameras and a wastewater testing pilot at three institutions.

"With the supported policy option package 201, we'll be able to install 5 body scanners at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility," Josh Heiberger said, describing the department's request to add scanners at intake points to reduce traumatic searches and contraband risk.

DOC officials said body scanners are intended to complement — not replace — canine teams and targeted searches, and noted successes from canine detection. The department also described a pilot program to test wastewater sampling as an intelligence tool to detect drugs in facilities. DOC said wastewater testing is currently piloted at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP), Oregon State Correctional Institution (OSCI) and Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI).

Legal limits on active counter‑measures were raised in committee. Committee members asked whether DOC could neutralize or intercept drones. The department's response referenced federal jurisdiction: "it's my understanding that we are prevented from intercepting drones by FCC regulation at this point in time," a DOC witness said, adding DOC can detect drone activity but not bring a drone down.

On body‑worn cameras, DOC cited outside jurisdictions' results — including reductions in excessive force complaints and staff assaults in Florida and New York corrections systems — and said cameras can support accountability and reduce litigation costs.

DOC also presented other security technology under consideration, such as drone detection systems that provide real‑time tracking, and an expansion of canine teams. Lawmakers questioned whether to pair technological investments with continued canine capacities; several members argued for a combined approach.

The department said it will continue the wastewater testing pilot and provide data trends to the committee as the pilot matures.