Why do offenders not have privacy from the opposite gender, especially in strip searches?
RESPONSE:TDCJ policy governing strip searches was developed through coordination with the National Institute of Corrections. Policy states staff of the same gender shall conduct the search. Female offenders shall not be strip-searched by, or in the visual presence of, male officers. For male offenders, if circumstances dictate that the search must be conducted by staff of the opposite gender, such searches are authorized under this policy only in extraordinary circumstances and when approved by a supervisor. Female officers may be in the vicinity to provide security but shall not actively participate in the strip search.
