What type of search is conducted based on "probable cause" regarding contraband?

A cavity search is typically conducted when there is probable cause to believe that an individual is concealing contraband within their body. This type of search goes beyond less invasive methods and acknowledges the legal threshold of probable cause, which is a belief based on facts that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime can be found. In correctional scenarios, if staff have reasonable, articulable suspicion that someone may be hiding illegal items internally, a cavity search may be warranted to ensure safety and security within the facility.

Other types of searches, like pat-down or strip searches, may be applicable in different circumstances but usually do not reach the level of invasive scrutiny characteristic of cavity searches, which aim to locate items that could pose a significant risk to institutional security or health. In this context, it’s essential to balance the need for security with the rights of the individual being searched, and cavity searches are employed under strict protocols and circumstances where clear justification is present.