Loaded Gun Sparks Investigation At Bucks County Jail

Detectives are investigating how a loaded gun was allegedly brought past security and left inside a staff refrigerator at the Bucks County Correctional Facility.

Two correctional officers have been placed on leave while the Bucks County Detectives conduct an investigation into the incident, which happened last Saturday at the jail in Doylestown Township.

According to a report by the Bucks County Courier Times, a correctional officer left a loaded gun inside a lunch bag before reporting for duty.

A second officer then allegedly failed to detect the weapon during a routine screening at entry, according to the newspaper.

The bag containing the firearm sat in the staff refrigerator until another employee found it, secured the gun, and alerted supervisors, who contacted the prison’s on-staff investigator and district attorney’s office, according to an official, who confirmed the newspaper’s reporting.

Policy prohibits outside weapons within the correctional center, and all employees are screened for contraband when they enter the facility. However, a source told LevittownNow.com that staff members are not subjected to the same level of security screening as inmates, who undergo invasive body searches and imaging.

Any weapons authorized for staff duties are secured and tracked to ensure they do not fall into the hands of inmates, the source said.

“This matter has been referred to the District Attorney’s Office. I would ask you to confirm any details with them. Two corrections staff members are locked out pending investigation,” said James O’Malley, the county’s deputy communications director.

Manuel Gamiz, the communications director for the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, confirmed that an investigation into a gun brought into the jail is active but declined to comment further.

No charges had been filed as of Tuesday morning.

The incident comes after the county prison has increased screenings of inmates, staff, and visitors in recent years to combat contraband.

The county jail housed 447 male inmates and 99 female inmates, according to the facility’s April census.