DISABLED G-150 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INMATES NO: G-150
FILE: DISABLED
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12-25-94 REVISED: 07-01-99
AUTHORITY: Sheriff J. Zanoni APPROVED BY: Captain R. Wiley
REFERENCE: Title 15, Section 1057 and Department of Health Policies and
Procedures No. CAR 24.06.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures and guidelines for the segregation,
diagnosis and/or treatment of developmentally disabled inmates housed in the Fresno
County Detention Facilities.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Custody Bureau that
all inmates will be screened by medical personnel for the possibility of physical, mental,or
developmental handicap prior to their acceptance for booking. All such inmates will be
assessed by the appropriate clinician who will devise an individualized treatment and
follow-up plan.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Custody Bureau that
all developmentally disabled inmates shall be segregated upon determination that it is
necessary for the safety of the inmate.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Custody Bureau that
the Health Center Manager of Jail Medical Services or their designee shall contact the
regional center on any inmate suspected or confirmed to be developmentally disabled for
the purposes of diagnosis and/or treatment within 24 hours of such determination,
excluding holidays and weekends.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INMATES NO: G-150
FILE: DISABLED
PROCEDURES:
I. MEDICAL SCREENING FOR NEW ARRESTEES
A. All arrestees shall be screened by Medical staff prior to their
acceptance for booking.
B. Screening shall include but not be limited to medical and mental
health problems, developmental disabilities (epilepsy, mental
retardation, autism and cerebral palsy), and communicable diseases.
C. Any inmate with a suspected developmental disability (with the
exception of epileptics)shall be housed in the infirmary until evaluated
by the appropriate clinician or mental health staff.
D. Upon evaluation, the Medical staff may consult with Population
Management/Classification staff to recommend housing for the
inmate.
II. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
A. Autism - absorption in self-centered subjective mental activity (as
daydreams, fantasies, delusions, and hallucinations)especially when
accompanied by marked withdrawal from reality.
B. Cerebral Palsy-a disability resulting from damage to the brain before
or during birth and outwardly manifested by muscular incoordination
and speech disturbances.
C. Epilepsy - any of various disorders marked by disturbed electrical
rhythms of the central nervous system and typically manifested by
convulsive attacks usually with clouding of consciousness.
D. Mental Retardation - less than normal intellectual competence usually
characterized by an IQ of less than 70.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INMATES NO: G-150
FILE: DISABLED
III. STAFF RESPONSIBILITY
If an officer suspects that an inmate housed in a general population housing
unit is developmentally disabled, they shall notify Medical staff.
IV. MEDICAL STAFF RESPONSIBILITY
A. If Medical staff determines that further diagnosis and/or treatment is
necessary, the Health Center Manager of Jail Medical Services or
their designee shall contact the Central Valley Regional Center for
Developmentally Disabled.
B. If the developmentally disabled inmate was housed in a general
population housing unit and Medical staff determines that segregation
is necessary for the safety of the inmate, Medical staff shall notify
Population Management/Classification with their recommendation.
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