Some NYC correctional officers are also now having to go through new drug scanners

Some city correctional officers will soon have to go through body scanners like inmates to track down potential drug smugglers, officials said Monday.

While inmates and visitors have had to go through the special scanners for several years, the city’s Justice Department will urge its staff at a Rikers facility to do the same as part of a pilot project beginning later this month, officials said.

“Whether it’s uniform or non-uniform staff, healthcare providers, volunteers and contract providers,” DOC Commissioner Louis Molina told The Post of those who have to go through the special scanners. “It’s another way we can mitigate against the possibility of contraband narcotics entering facilities.”

He said the induction is tentatively scheduled for February 15 at the Robert N. Davoren Center. The RNDC houses about 800 inmates, about half of whom are young adults.

“In early 2022, RNDC was the most violent entity on the island,” Molina said.

“We want to be able to evaluate it and see the impact on staff traffic coming into the facility, and then we’ll roll it out at another facility,” he said of the scanner program. “We’ll do it one by one.

“Body scanning is part of a multi-pronged strategy to prevent smuggled narcotics from entering prisons.”

Drugs are an ongoing problem at the sprawling Rikers prison complex, where 19 inmates died last year, many from drug overdoses.

The Benevolent Association of Correction Officers told The Poston Monday that they are taking a wait and see approach to scanners.

“Protecting the health and safety of our members, as well as their labor rights, is our top priority,” said COBA President Benny Boscio.