Deferring to the security concerns of jail officials, a divided U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled that strip searches of individuals arrested for minor offenses do not violate their privacy rights under the Constitution.
“In addressing this type of constitutional claim, courts must defer to the judgment of correctional officials unless the record contains substantial evidence showing their policies are an unnecessary or unjustified response to problems of jail security,” wrote Justice Anthony Kennedy for the majority. “That necessary showing has not been made in this case.”
