According to The "Californian," the K-9 unit is making a dent into illegal cell phones getting into the hands of inmates.
The prison, which houses about 6,300 inmates, is one of three state prisons with cell phone-finding dogs.
Since January, more than 270 cell phones have been confiscated at CTF, said Lt. Darren Chamberlain, prison spokesman.
K-9 dogs can cost up to $6,000 — a reason why the program has depended greatly on donations.
Although the four dogs are stationed at specific facilities with their respective handlers, Sgt. Wayne Conrad said the program is mobile. Any of the state's 33 prisons can request to have the dogs assist in a search.
Cell phones are smuggled into prison in various ways, Conrad said. Some inmates work in the loading docks, where hundreds of packages arrive.
"Some do slip in," he said.
An inmate may pay up to $1,000 to acquire a phone, officials said.
