Fulton State Hospital confiscates cell phones, iPad from employees

Four Fulton State Hospital employees are without their personal mobile devices after being checked for contraband during a shift change Wednesday morning, according to Missouri Department of Mental Health spokesman Debra Walker.

According to hospital policy, personal property is not allowed on the units as it poses the risk to be "a distraction from providing care and treatment." Items in that category are considered contraband.

Three cell phones and one iPad were confiscated during the spot check, which Walker said are scheduled in each unit during the year, and won't be returned until the employees complete a meeting with Marty Martin-Forman, FSH's Chief Operating Officer.

Policy also states security or the unit director "has the authority to take possession of the item until the issue is resolved."

Martin-Forman and the employees' supervisor will meet with three of the employees on Friday and, as of Wednesday evening, one appointment was yet to be scheduled.

Other items on the list of contraband include car or personal keys, chemical weapons, night sticks and firearms. State-issued cell phones are permitted.

The employees' names were not made available and no other information was available at press time.

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