Correctional officers do NOT need a warrant in order to search an inmate's cell or to seize materials and use it as evidence against them.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is because inmates do not have the same rights to privacy as individuals in the general public. The Supreme Court has ruled that inmates have a reduced expectation of privacy due to the need for security and order in the correctional institution. Therefore, correctional officers can search the cells of inmates and seize any materials that may be considered contraband, without needing a warrant.

Correctional Officers Do NOT Need a Warrant in Order to Search