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Ngozi Ofolomah
HCS/430
February 4, 2013
Vanessa Williams
Article/Case Law Search
The aftermath of the 9/11 in 2001, has left the United States of America in frenzy. It is this particular event that has been devastating to our nation and unforgettable. Furthermore, stressing the importance of the safety and health of the general public. September 11, has caused federal and state governments to merge public health and public safety into one. This merger brought about the significance of public health preparedness. In other words, this merger created ways in which we can protect the country against future terrorist attacks and the precautions that we must now take to ensure that our nation and its people are protected (Annas, 2012). The United States Supreme Court now upholds the merger. But where problems begin is in the area of routine strip searches of those who are arrested (even those who commit a minor crime such as, not wearing a seat belt) before being confined to either jail or prison. The U.S. Supreme court had to determine whether or not these routine strip searches were a violation of the Fourth Amendment. According to Walenta (2010), the Fourth Amendment states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized” (para 1, pg. 1). In other words, this prohibits those in positions of authority to conduct strip searches on individuals without probable cause. Hence, the term “unreasonable” searches. Public health as well as medical professionals and staff should be informed of how. This writer will further discuss the findings in Annas’s article in the New England Journal of Medicine titled “Strip Searches in the Supreme Court –Prisons and Public
Ngozi Ofolomah
HCS/430
February 4, 2013
Vanessa Williams
Article/Case Law Search
The aftermath of the 9/11 in 2001, has left the United States of America in frenzy. It is this particular event that has been devastating to our nation and unforgettable. Furthermore, stressing the importance of the safety and health of the general public. September 11, has caused federal and state governments to merge public health and public safety into one. This merger brought about the significance of public health preparedness. In other words, this merger created ways in which we can protect the country against future terrorist attacks and the precautions that we must now take to ensure that our nation and its people are protected (Annas, 2012). The United States Supreme Court now upholds the merger. But where problems begin is in the area of routine strip searches of those who are arrested (even those who commit a minor crime such as, not wearing a seat belt) before being confined to either jail or prison. The U.S. Supreme court had to determine whether or not these routine strip searches were a violation of the Fourth Amendment. According to Walenta (2010), the Fourth Amendment states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized” (para 1, pg. 1). In other words, this prohibits those in positions of authority to conduct strip searches on individuals without probable cause. Hence, the term “unreasonable” searches. Public health as well as medical professionals and staff should be informed of how. This writer will further discuss the findings in Annas’s article in the New England Journal of Medicine titled “Strip Searches in the Supreme Court –Prisons and Public
References: Annas, G.J. (2012, October). Strip searches in the Supreme Court - Prisons and Public Health. New England Journal of Medicine, 10(367), 1653-1657. Doi: 10.1056/NEJMhle1205592. Walenta, C. (2010). U.S. Constitution - Amendment 4. Retrieved from http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am4.html.