NOTIFY-ILLNESS B-145 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: NOTIFICATION OF AN INMATE'S FAMILY OR FRIEND
IN THE EVENT OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY NO: B-145
FILE: NOTIFY-ILLNESS
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12-18-89 REVISED: 08-06-90,06-10-94, 08-03-95, 02-01-98
09-01-99, 03-01-10
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: Government Code Section 27491.44; California Code of
Regulations, Title 15, Section 1206(e); and Health Service
Agency Policies and Procedures #ADM 05.09.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish a uniform method for notifying an inmate's family
or friend in the event of hospitalization as a result of a serious illness or serious injury.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division to notify an inmate's
family or friend in the event an inmate is hospitalized as a result of a serious illness or
serious injury while in custody.
PROCEDURES:
I. DEFINITION
HOSPITALIZED/HOSPITALIZATION: Placement of an inmate in a public or private
medical care facility outside of the Jail facilities for a period expected to exceed 24
hours, for a serious or critical condition. "Hospitalized" does NOT refer to the
placement of an inmate in the Jail infirmary, or routine outpatient medical services.
II. SERIOUS ILLNESS OR SERIOUS INJURY
A. If an inmate sustains a serious injury that places them in critical condition in a
hospital, or if an inmate suffers an acute and serious illness requiring
hospitalization, or if an inmate known to be ill with a life-threatening condition
deteriorates to the point that they are in possible danger of death, the shift
charge nurse will inform the Jail's Watch Commander that notification of
inmate's next-of-kin is to be made (within the context of Jail security).
Page 1 of 2
FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: NOTIFICATION OF AN INMATE'S FAMILY OR FRIEND
IN THE EVENT OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY NO: B-145
FILE: NOTIFY-ILLNESS
B. It shall be the Watch Commander's responsibility to use all reasonable means
to contact the inmate's next-of-kin, and notify them as humanely as possible.
1. Telephone notification of next-of-kin should be used whenever possible.
2. Custody staff shall not provide medical information regarding the inmate's
health, but shall refer the next-of-kin to the attending physician.
C. Notification efforts shall commence within six (6) hours from the time that the
inmate is admitted to the hospital. If the Watch Commander reasonably
believes the inmate's condition is life threatening, contact efforts shall begin
immediately upon the inmate's departure from the facility.
D. The right to privacy of inmates who request that there be no notification will be
considered in instances other than death.
III. INMATE DEATH
A. In the event of an inmate death, it shall be the responsibility of all staff
members to follow the Inmate Death policies and procedures (B-140/FILE:
DEATH).
B. The Coroner shall be responsible for the notification of an inmate's family or
friend, regardless if the death occurs in the facility or at the hospital.
Page 2 of 2