Inmate body scanners a step closer

A bill allowing the city Correction Department to use body scanners to check for hidden blades on inmates is finally headed to Gov. Cuomo’s desk.

After more than four years of lobbying from City Hall, the legislation passed the state Assembly by a vote of 97 to 15 on Thursday. The bill sailed through the state Senate 60 to 1 in March.

The measure is supported by all of the city’s correction unions as well as several major inmate advocate organizations — a rare form of unity.

“We’ve been saying for years that we need more advanced body scanners to keep small blades and weapons out of our jails,” Mayor de Blasio said Thursday.

The devices will give officers “another crucial tool” to keep inmates and officers safe, he added.

In 2012, the Bloomberg administration bought six “ionizing” body scanners at a cost of $1 million to search inmates.