What is a critical reason to avoid excess items during prisoner intake?

Avoiding excess items during prisoner intake is primarily critical to prevent the introduction of contraband into the facility. Excess items can serve as potential hiding places for illegal substances or weapons, which can compromise prison safety and security. By controlling the number and type of items during the intake process, staff can more effectively monitor and ensure that nothing unauthorized is introduced into the facility.

This focus on minimizing excess items directly contributes to maintaining a secure environment, where the risk of contraband-related incidents is significantly lowered. It allows for a more thorough inspection of belongings, ultimately enhancing overall safety for both staff and inmates. While other options like improving morale or simplifying processing are beneficial, they do not address the imperative need for security that controlling excess items aims to fulfill.