Cough and spread your butt cheeks?

Question

I'm watching a prison documentary and in the booking process they told the inmates to cough and spread there butt cheeks?

What is the purpose of them coughing and spreading there butt cheeks?

Answer 1

You squat and you cough. Coughing loosens up the muscles that could be holding anything you may be trying to smuggle in in your nether regions. Makes the cavity search easier.