Corrections Officer Charged for Smuggling Drugs into SCI Camp Hill Prison

Alicya Kent, 35, suspended without pay after K-9 search uncovered contraband

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A corrections officer at SCI Camp Hill in Pennsylvania has been charged with attempting to smuggle drugs, including PCP and Buprenorphine, into the prison for an inmate. Alicya Kent, 35, was caught during a random staff search when a K-9 unit alerted to a bag of papers saturated with an unknown substance in a bathroom trash can. Kent allegedly admitted to planning to give the contraband to an inmate for $1,500.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing challenges prisons face in preventing the smuggling of drugs and other contraband by staff members. Corrections officers are entrusted to maintain safety and security, so breaches of that trust can undermine public confidence and raise concerns about inmate access to dangerous substances.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, during a random search of SCI Camp Hill staff in January, a K-9 unit alerted to a trash can in a bathroom where Alicya Kent had been. A clear bag containing papers saturated with an unknown substance was found and seized. Testing later confirmed the substance was PCP. Kent allegedly told investigators she was going to give the contraband to an inmate for $1,500, and that she had more Buprenorphine at home that she planned to bring in as well. Authorities seized 9 pages of paper, including 3 she had brought into the prison, as well as 19 unopened Suboxone packages from Kent's home.

  • The random search of SCI Camp Hill staff occurred in January 2026.
  • Kent was charged on February 11, 2026.

The players

Alicya Kent

A 35-year-old corrections officer at SCI Camp Hill who was suspended without pay after being charged with attempting to smuggle drugs into the prison for an inmate.

SCI Camp Hill

A state correctional institution located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Department of Corrections (DOC)

The agency that oversees state prisons in Pennsylvania, including SCI Camp Hill, and conducted the investigation that led to the charges against Kent.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Kent told investigators she was going to give the contraband to an inmate for $1,500.”

— Alicya Kent, Corrections Officer (abc27.com)

What’s next

Kent is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 2, 2026, where a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the charges against her.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing challenges prisons face in preventing the smuggling of drugs and other contraband by staff members, which can undermine safety and security. It highlights the need for robust screening procedures and strong accountability measures to ensure corrections officers uphold their duty to maintain order and protect the public.