SEAGOVILLE, TX -
This is a heart-breaking story for a family trying to visit a relative inside Federal Correctional Institute in Seagoville.
For the second time in six months, a family tried to visit a loved-one at the federal lock-up, only to be turned away and accused of using drugs.
"It may be the last visit I get," said Beatrice Callahan. Six months ago, the 85-year-old told us she was afraid she was visiting her son at the prison for the last time; she was right. Beatrice Callahan died last Sunday. In May, she was upset because she had to wait 48 hours to see her son; that's because prison officials told her she had tested positive for drugs. "I was very upset; I have never taken drugs. I don't even drink," she said.
The prison uses a device called an Ion Spectrometer to test visitors for traces of drug residue; it had been known to return false positives.
Callahan's son, Gary, is still in the Seagoville prison. Today, his two sons from Arizona went to visit with him about his mother's death and they were turned away.
The Spectrometer said they tested for an illegal substance; the brothers said a machine deprived them of their rights. "I haven't done drugs, any drugs at all, and here I am testing positive for drugs I haven't done. I definitely feel that way," said Shea Callahan.
Emmett Callahan said, "I can understand why they'd want to use it, but if it's going to give false readings and reject people, they should an alternative to it."
The brothers say they offered to be strip-searched or give samples for testing, but they were told the system isn't set up for that.
"It's the last time we're going to see my father for who knows how long. I mean, we don't really come out here that often; just want to say goodbye to him make sure he's alright," said Shea Callahan.
The brothers spent $1300 for the trip home to see their father.
For the second time in six months, a family tried to visit a loved-one at the federal lock-up, only to be turned away and accused of using drugs.
"It may be the last visit I get," said Beatrice Callahan. Six months ago, the 85-year-old told us she was afraid she was visiting her son at the prison for the last time; she was right. Beatrice Callahan died last Sunday. In May, she was upset because she had to wait 48 hours to see her son; that's because prison officials told her she had tested positive for drugs. "I was very upset; I have never taken drugs. I don't even drink," she said.
The prison uses a device called an Ion Spectrometer to test visitors for traces of drug residue; it had been known to return false positives.
Callahan's son, Gary, is still in the Seagoville prison. Today, his two sons from Arizona went to visit with him about his mother's death and they were turned away.
The Spectrometer said they tested for an illegal substance; the brothers said a machine deprived them of their rights. "I haven't done drugs, any drugs at all, and here I am testing positive for drugs I haven't done. I definitely feel that way," said Shea Callahan.
Emmett Callahan said, "I can understand why they'd want to use it, but if it's going to give false readings and reject people, they should an alternative to it."
The brothers say they offered to be strip-searched or give samples for testing, but they were told the system isn't set up for that.
"It's the last time we're going to see my father for who knows how long. I mean, we don't really come out here that often; just want to say goodbye to him make sure he's alright," said Shea Callahan.
The brothers spent $1300 for the trip home to see their father.
