Search finds multiple weapons, cellphones in Alabama prison

This undated image released by the Alabama Department of Corrections on Thursday, April 18, 2019, shows illegal contraband from the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala. Prison officials say some 300 officers from multiple agencies searched the prison in an effort to reduce a trend of increasing violence in state lockups. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP) This undated image released by the Alabama Department of Corrections on Thursday, April 18, 2019, shows illegal contraband from the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala. Prison officials say some 300 officers from multiple agencies searched the prison in an effort to reduce a trend of increasing violence in state lockups. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP)

By Associated Press April 18, 2019 1 min read

ATMORE, Ala. (AP) – A search of the prison where Alabama conducts executions has turned up multiple weapons and cellphones.

The Department of Corrections says about 300 officers from state and local agencies began a security sweep before dawn Thursday at Holman prison near Atmore. The state’s death chamber is located at the maximum-security lockup.

Photos released by the agency show authorities already have found multiple weapons and cellphones in the 870-man prison.

A spokesman says the search for contraband is continuing.

A similar search earlier this year at the roughly 900-inmate St. Clair prison in Springville turned up about 160 weapons, nearly 50 cellphones and drugs.