A cavity search is authorized only when there is ___________________ that the inmate is concealing contraband in a body cavity.

A cavity search is a highly invasive procedure that is only authorized under strict circumstances to protect both the safety of the facility and the individuals within it. The correct answer is grounded in the legal principle of probable cause, which requires a reasonable belief, based on factual evidence, that an individual may be concealing contraband within a body cavity. This is a higher standard than mere suspicion or assumption, which could lead to unjustified infringements on an inmate's rights.

Probable cause necessitates objective facts, such as observed behavior or intelligence reports, that strongly suggest the presence of contraband. This standard helps to mitigate the risk of arbitrary or capricious searches, thereby maintaining the integrity of the correctional system and respecting individual rights. In contrast, suspicion alone does not provide the legal justification required for such an invasive search, as it could be based simply on an officer's intuition or hunch without the supporting facts that establish probable cause.