N.J. prisons use dogs to sniff out cell phones

New Jersey prison officials are trying a new approach to detect illegal cell phones among inmates: cell phone-sniffing dogs.

New Jersey Department of Corrections Spokesman Matt Schuman said that using metal detectors or machines that track phone use require the phones to be turned on, the Press of Atlantic City reported. Schuman said the dogs were trained to detect the scent of the phone.

He said 217 cell phones had been confiscated in New Jersey prisons since October 2007.

Prison officials say cell phones are sought-after contraband because they can be used to transmit pictures and sensitive information about prison layouts or to conduct drug deals or other illicit activities. - AP