Butler County Prison officials are investigating a recent attempt to sneak Suboxone strips to an inmate.

Warden Joe DeMore told the prison board Tuesday, March 14, that someone entered the prison Sunday evening and left a contact lens container for an inmate with on-duty corrections officers.

Typically, giving contacts to an inmate is arranged through the medical office, DeMore said.

Officers examined the container and found Suboxone strips hidden behind the lenses, he said.

Suboxone is an opiate used to treat drug addiction.

The inmate for whom the lenses were intended tested positive for drugs, which indicates the smuggling scheme might have worked before, he added.

“These guys and girls have 24/7 to think of ways to beat the system,” DeMore said.

DeMore and board members commended the officers who found the strips.

DeMore said many inmates are addicted to drugs when they enter the prison, and the prison is required to continue treatments they were receiving before they were incarcerated.

He said 10 inmates are receiving Sublocade injections, and 16 are receiving Subutex pills, which are also used to treat addiction.

Sublocade injections are given monthly, and the Subutex pills are given daily. The injections are better for the inmates and staff, DeMore said.

Some inmates try to sneak their pill back to their cells and try to sell them, and one such incident occurred last week, he said.

The board also approved hiring Camie Coleman as a corrections officer to work irregular hours.