Cadet safety and welfare is a top priority at the Mississippi Youth Challenge Academy.

1. When a cadet attempts to hide or conceal an object, substance, or anything that would compromise safety as well as good order and discipline, it may be necessary to search them or their belongings.

2. Upon arrival to the Mississippi Youth Challenge Academy for in-processing, all of the cadet’s belongings will be thoroughly searched by cadre/staff with the cadet’s parents/guardians present. Any items deemed contraband or prohibited will be given to parent/guardian for them to return home with. The cadet will not be allowed to keep those items.

3. Once admitted into a platoon, a cadet’s personal items as well as any items issued by the Mississippi Youth Challenge Academy are subject to search and review at all times. Cadre will conduct regular inspections of cadet’s personal areas to include their locked drawers. All items discovered in these inspections are subject to scrutiny and review. In addition to overall cleanliness and organization, cadre should be searching for any contraband items or items that could affect the safety and welfare of all cadets, cadre, and staff. If any contraband is discovered, it will be confiscated by the cadre and handled appropriately. If an item of value is confiscated, it will be brought to Building 80 for storage, until the cadet is released for their next pass.

4. Cadre, teachers, and counselors should conduct periodic reviews of cadet’s binders and notebooks to ensure they are not writing or drawing images that are explicit or threatening, to include gang related. If any of these images are discovered, they will be turned over to the cadet’s counselor to determine if a threat assessment is needed. Any personal writings, such as journal writing or personal notes should never be disclosed to other cadets or cadre/staff who don’t have a “need-to-know”. And those personal writings should never be used to belittle or shame a cadet.

5. Cadets returning from community service will be searched to ensure they are not bringing back contraband or prohibited items. Cadre/staff will use handheld metal detectors to search the cadet, as well as have them empty all pockets. At no time will a cadre/staff put hands on the cadet to search them. In addition, strip searching a cadet, at any time, is strictly prohibited. If a cadet is believed to be trying to conceal a prohibited item on their person, the Program Director or Deputy Director will be notified for further guidance.

6. Upon returning from a pass, all items cadets are returning with will be searched for contraband and prohibited items by cadre/staff. In addition, cadets will be searched using the handheld metal detectors, and they will empty all pockets. If any prohibited items are found, those items will be returned to the cadet’s parent/guardian, unless it is an item prohibited by law (such as drugs or illegal substances). Those items will be turned over to the Camp Shelby Police Department.

7. Health and welfare search as well as probable cause searches will be conducted if cadre/staff receive credible information that a cadet or cadets have contraband or prohibited items in the barracks or personal areas. If necessary, cadre can obtain the handheld metal detectors from Operations to search cadets, as well as have them empty all pockets. Again; however, cadre will not put hands-on cadets while searching or “strip search” a cadet, at any time. If a cadet is believed to possess an item that is detrimental to safety and welfare of cadets, cadre, or staff, the Director or Deputy Director will be contacted for guidance and instructions.

8. At no time, during a search, will a candidate/cadet be forced to strip down to anything less than the summer physical fitness uniform (shorts and t-shirt).

9. This policy applies to all cadre and staff and will be included in all “new hire” training. Cadre and staff must be trained on this policy prior to supervising candidates/cadets.